[RIGHT THROUGH A BARN.]
BY WILLIAM O. STODDARD.
"Rube," said Bun Gates, when they came together one day after breakfast, "did you hear about Squire Cudworth's new barn?"
"Guess there isn't anything more to hear about it. Folks didn't talk of anything else while he was putting it up. Father said it would hold horses enough to run a livery-stable."
"That isn't it. I heard all about it at breakfast. The railroad's goin' to run right through it."
"Right through the barn? I wish they'd run it through the academy, if 'twasn't for spoiling the green."
"It's cut Pop Simmons's orchard right in two, and they've tore away Widow McCue's pig-pen, spite of all Felix and Biddy could do to stop 'em. Now it's the big barn."
"Biggest barn there ever was anywhere around here. It's just awful. Did you ever see a railroad?"
"Only the streak they've made along where this one's going to come. I'll tell you what father said, though."
"What did he say, Bun?"