ded fiercely, "What do you mean
by plastering your fence all over with red rags? Your pasture fence?
I'll sue you for damages! My bull has lost one horn and is all battered
to pieces, the rails are splintered, and it's a wonder he didn't get
loose. Is that what you aimed at doing?"

Mr. Hartman faced his accuser unflinchingly, saying, with quiet
emphasis, "I don't know anything about the matter. The fence was all
right yesterday morning, for I was down there myself to see, before I
left for town. You don't know what you are saying when you threaten to
sue."

"But the fence is all tied up with red rags," blustered the angry
fellow. "How comes that? You rented me the--"

"I rented you the pasture, but I didn't rent you watch dogs and dragons
to guard it. That is your own lookout. I had nothing to do with it, and
it's no affair of mine if the village boys are up to their pranks."

Mr. Hartman's air was convincing, and the deacon's wrath toward his
neighbor cooled somewhat when he saw how groundless were his
accusations. Nevertheless, his ire was thoroughly aroused, and he
promised all sorts of punishment to the offenders when they were caught.
"If 'twas the village boys, I'll warrant the Judge's youngster was at
the head of it. I'll tan him till he can't stand when I get my hands on
him," he muttered.

"You better make sure of the guilty one before you thrash him,"
suggested Mr. Hartman, dryly.

"That Abbott boy and the Greenfield girl are the ringleaders in all the
mischief--by George, she's the one that did it! She vowed she'd get
those berries, bull or no bull. If she has touched those bushes, I'll--"

"No, you won't," interrupted the other man, rising to his feet with an
angry light in his eyes. "If that child went to you and asked about
those bushes, you don't lay hands on her in any way."

"She didn't ask. She came and told me to tie up the animal so she could
pick raspberries."

"And you refused."

"I rented that field, and you had no business to promise her the
berries."

"If you wanted them, why didn't you say so? They were going to waste on
the vines. You merely asked permission to put your animal in there for a
month while you were repairing your corral."

"I didn't want the berries, but--"

"That is all I care to know. You can take your property out of my
pasture at once. I won't rent to such a man as you. Sue if you like, and
see what you will get in court."

"Very well, Hartman," fumed the