Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1872-04-03
o strike US and kill us with their clubs

to strike us aud kill US with their clubs
IL"
Her lips quivered while she stared strai-
ght at her father with tears in her eyes
The sexton quickly commenced DIGGING
again. 4 few moments after, he heard
some steps advancing over the Gags.
"llere comes the lady and the cross
man again, said the little girl, who had
been longing to depart on the errand she
had set for herself, aud who still stood in
the shadow of the porch, furtively looking
out.
The sexton at once quilted his work,
aud took of his straw hat.
The lady, who was pale aud very beau
tiiul, and who was clad in deep mourning
quickly approached him, while her com
panion, a severe looking aud restless man
lCitered little behind. In her eyes there
was an expression of great anxiety: and
Notwithstanding her eagerncss, she seemed
to dread to ask her question, though she
smiled as she spoke:
"lave they found it YETI"
"No," replied the sexton, shaking his
head and looking down the walk, unable
to bear her look of disappointment; "two
of us have searched high and low, in ev-
every nook and corner and there's not a
sign of it to be found. All the others are
there since 1903, all set regularly in a
row. But we cant 6ud single leafof the
book for 1915. 1t looks as if it had been
spirited away
Give him a little money" said the man
cynically, in an undcrtonc. She was ner'
vous aud absently folded and uufolded
the wristband of her glove, while she
looked vacantly toward a stretch ofwood.
land IN the distance. Being thus absorbed
she did not hear, but the sexton did. Hi
Aorid face grew redder, and he put hi.
straw hat on again.
That won't help it sir" said ho with
an angry look, "what | wouldn't do for
herself, and Ia like to know what that is,
/ couldn't be iired to do for money"
Elegant, by Gcorge!" said the gentle
man with laugh; adding presently, 81
apologize, SEXTON" and then as if having
administered sufficient balm, he looked
toward the lady, expecting her to go.
She was in tears.
"You are always crying, Mary, said he
with impatience.
81 know it is weak" she returned, be.
tween her frequent sobs; "but it is hard
that we and cur children should suffer tC
the cud of our lives because book i.
lost. We cannot do without it before 0
Judge, aud what will they say when We
tell them it is missing 2 Will they not sus
pect us? VIII not every one become pref
udced against US ? 1t will not seem iail
and lawful. Where can | find the town
clerk /? She turned suddenly to the sextor
again.
''He is busy hunting everywhere, ma'an
and his helper is with him, and there are
two other men looking over the papers O
the old clerks who died in lS40."
"Ah then they have not given up yet
said the lady in more cheerful tone.
"Oh, no, returned the sexton, and thel
feeling that he must account for his absc
nee fro1 the crowd of searchors, he add
ed, IL was with them nearly all night. ST
they sent me away this morning, but
am going to Try again this evening"
The lady looked at him with gratefu
surprise, and put heI hand quickly int
his. ...
"You must know | thank you little
Thomas, cannot thank you enough
You Zee" F." she cried, turning to her hus
: band, ''that we find our best friends eve
where our enemies are most numerous
We have few to give us kind words" sh
, said, returning with a smile to the uncom
; Portable man, land still fewer to give u
} kind acts, and | am sure can never fol-
get what you have done" She was abou
$ stepping away from him, leaving hir
5 confused and entranced with her graclou;
t ness, when her glance fell upon the porcl
: "Ah," she suddenly cried, 'there
e Little Majesty"
The child flew down the steps, and ra
toward her with outstretched arms.
was only in the presence Of this lady
whom she loved next her father, that sh
was at all likely to ignore certain ol
manner which she had acquired by bein
perpetually in the company of her elder
1t was only in joyful moments like th
present, that she acted and thought lik
! child. 5
l The two strolled apart and chatted Il
. gether while the sexton resumed his di,
! ging, with his back savagely turned upc
: the gentleman, who for his part, SCENE
i to forget all about the sexton. is