“So he crooked old Tom's legs, and got him down agin; and they put the corn-basket over him, and then they both stood and waited.
“'That'll do the thing, Huldy,' said the parson.
“'I don't know about it,' says Huldy.
“'Oh, yes, it will, child! I understand,' says he.
“Just as he spoke, the basket riz right up and stood, and they could see old Tom's long legs.
“'I'll make him stay down, confound him,' says the parson; for, ye see, parsons is men, like the rest on us, and the doctor had got his spunk up.
“'You jist hold him a minute, and I'll get something that'll make him stay, I guess;' and out he went to the fence, and brought in a long, thin, flat stone, and laid it on old Tom's back.
“Old Tom he wilted down considerable under this, and looked railly as if he was goin' to give in. He staid still there a good long spell, and the minister and Huldy left him there and come up to the house; but they hadn't more than got in the door before they see old Tom a hippin' along, as high-steppin' as ever, sayin' 'Talk! talk! and quitter! quitter!' and struttin' and gobblin' as if he'd come through the Red Sea, and got the victory.
“'Oh, my eggs!' says Huldy. 'I'm afraid he's smashed 'em!'
“And sure enough, there they was, smashed flat enough under the stone.