Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 January 1883 — And More Left. [ARTICLE]

And More Left.

A dozen years ago a farmer came into Detroit with a load of potatoes and sold them to a grocer. A dispute arose as to the quantity. The farmer felt himself cheated out of two bushels and he left the grocer with a black eye. The grocer was a man who meant to keep even with all men. He therefore took his affidavit to whip that agricultural toiler within an inch of his life, and the longer he waited the madder he got. At the end of a month, seeing no prospect of catching the farmer in town, the grocer procured a horse and buggy and drove out to the farm to have it out. When withiif three miles of the place he encountered a man on the highway and inquired: “Can you tell me where old Stiver lives ?” “Yes; going to buy cattle of him ?” “No, sir! I’m going to pound him out of his boots!” “I guess not! I’m old Stiver’s §on and you’ve got to whip- me first!” The grocer jumped out and a battle resulted. He polished the son off, but it ( was a tight squeeze. He had not gone half a mile when a man who was husking corn near the fence hailed him with: “Did you have a fight down there?” “Yes.” “Who whipped ?” “I did.” “Well, that was my brother you was fighting, and may be you think you can mash me, too!” A second fight took place, and proved a draw. The grocer was somewhat discouraged,having several loose teeth and a nose as big as his wrist, but he drove on to the next house. A strapping fellow about 27 years old was cutting wood at the gate, and the grocer drew up and asked • “How far is it to Stiver’s?” “Which Stiver?” “Why, old liar Stiver’s.” “Stranger, the man who speaks that way of my old dad has got to be pounded,” remarked the chopper, and a third fight was soon on the boards. This time the grocer had his fill, and, after brushing the grass out of his hair, he asked: “How far is it to Mr. John Stiver’s 1” “Two miles.” ■ - “One more question. I’ve met and fought with three of his sons. Is there another living between here and the old man’s ?” "Another ? Why, there are three, and besides there are two single ones at home who could turn you wrong-side out in twenty seconds r The grocer drove slowly back to the city and went to bed for a week. His mistake was in not waiting to catch the old man some time when all "the boys were off fishing.— Detroit Free Press.