St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-02-28

Miss Beswick was clearing her decks for
action.) when the right time come
yes That right time wasn't somethin
indefinite, in the futur', of course Your
losin' the bonds didn't hurry up yer be-
nevolence the least grain, Ispose Hem
let in them boys, SophronyH
Sophronia opened the door, and in
walked Master Dick Atkins, (son of the
brush burner) followed, not without re-
luctance and concern, by Master Taddy.
'Thaddeus what you here for 2 de-
manded the adopted parents.
Because l said so,' remarked Miss
Beswick arbitrarily. Step along, boys,
step along. Hold up your head, Taddy,
for ye ant goin' to be hurt while I'm
around. Take yer fists out O yer eyes,
and stop blubberin'. Mr. Ducklow, that
boy knows somethin' about Reuben's
cowpon bonds
'Thaddeus y calculated both Duck
lows at once, did you touch them
bonds y
Didn't know what they was y whim-
pered Taddy.
Did you take them p And the fe-
male Ducklow grasped his shoulder.
Hands off, ii you please remarked
Miss Beswick, with frightfully cleaning
courtesy. Il told him, if he'd be a good
boy, and come along with Richard, and
tell the truth, he shouldn't be hurt II
you please, she repeated, with 4 majes-
tic nod and Mrs. Ducklow took her
hands off.
Where are they now where are
they 2 cried Ducklow, rushing headlong
TO the main question.
Don't know said Taddy.
Don't know you villain" And Duck
low was rising in wrath. But Miss Bes-
wick put up her hand deprecatingly.
If you please she said with grim
civiity and Ducklow sank down again,
What did you do with 'em what
did we want of 'em 2 said Mrs. Ducklow,
with difficulty restraining an impulse TO
wiring his neck.
To cover my kite confessed the
miserable Taddy.
Cover your kite your kite a
chorus of groans from the Ducklows.
Did MT YOU know no better !!
Did MT think you d care said Taddy.
Il had some newspapers Dick give me to
cover it; but thought them things 'u'd
he pootier. So took EN-, and put the
newspapers in the wrapper.
Did ye cover Yer kite =
lN-I,,, 7 C>l ,,,. 80, ,,,.oJ -,
much about 'em, | dars'nt; | was afraid
you'd see en-
Then what dill you do with 'em ,
When YOU was away, Dick come over
to sleep with me, and II sold EN- to
him
Sold 'em to Dick =
Yes spoke up Dick, stoutly, for six
marbles. and one was bulls eye, and
one agate. and two alleys. Then, when
you come home and made such a fuss,
he wanted 'em again. But he would nj
give me back but four, and | want GO
ing to agree to no such nonsense Us
that
Id lost the bulls eye and one COM
mon.' whned Taddy.
But the bonds, did you destroy
EN- ?
Likely I'd destroy EN- after I'd paid
six marbles for en- said Dick. i want
ed 'em to cover my kite with
( Cover you-oh then you've made 9
kite of EN- > said Ducklow.
We'll, was going to, when Aunt
Beswicks ketched me at it. She mad,
me tell where L got 'em, and took m,
over to your house jest now and Iaddy
said you was over here, and so she pu
ahead and made us follow her.
Again, in an agony of impatience
Ducklow demanded to know where tn,
bonds were at that moment.
If Taddy IL give me back the mar
bles,' began Master Dick.
That IL do = said Miss Beswick
silcncing him with 4 gesture. .Reuber
will give you twenty marbles; for be
lievc you said they was Reuben's bonds
Mr.. Ducklow ?
YES, that is'--stammered the adopt
ed father.
'Eventooly,' struck in the adopte,
mother.
sNow look here What am to un
derstand ? Be the bonds Reuben's, o
be they not !? That's the question !!
And there was that in Miss Beswick'
look which said, If they are not Reu
ben's then your eyes shall never behold
them more -
OF course they're Reuben's y wv
intended all the while His benefit
ITO do jest what he pleases witt
'em," chorused Pa and Ma Ducklow.
wal now it's understood Here
Reuben, are your cowpon bonds y
And Miss Beswick drawing them from
her bosom, placed the precious document
with formal politeness, in the glad sol
dier's agitatcd hands.
Glory :. cried Reuben, assuring him
self that they were genuine and real
'Sophrony, you've got home Ruby
Carrie, you've got a home! Miss Bes
wick you angel from the skies orde
, a bushel and half of marbles for Dick
and have the bill sent to me! Oh, p
Ducklow you never did nobler O
more generous thing in your life. Thes
will lift the mortgage, and leave me
nest-egS besides. Then when 1 get m,
t back pay, and my pension, and m
health again, we shall be independent
And the soldier overcome by his feel
incs, sank back in the arms of his wife
I'VE always told you we'd do well
r ye, you remember 2 said the Ducklow:
triumphantly.
The news went abroad. Again cor
gratulations poured in upon the returne
: volunteer. Every body rejoiced in h
good fortune, - especially certain ric
. la... ,ool:..- NJ.