The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1872-08-08
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~ tsAhN'N : A-ff'AF
A reasonably good man was Deacon
Pilsey, as times went, but ii he had a
weakness, ii was for making things in
general 90 about as be wanted them to,
Not an overbcaring man by any means,
aud certainly not violent one, but with
wonderfully cute aud quiet aud subtitle
ways of bis own, by which be brought
matters about without letting other folks
know how the thing was done. When a
man is accustomed TO his own way lac
makes up his mind pretty easily, but there
was one point Of all others upon which
Deacon Pilsey had been set aud fixed for
years, and the care Of which lay heavy on
his mind, for the time had come, when,
in his Judgment, something deep required
to be planned and all his skill exercised
in carrying il out. 10 a mind like this
that had taken q perfect measure of every
other in the village, and for miles around
it, there could be little difficulty in select
ing his tools and assistants, and he had
no need ofcounselors. That was how he
came to be talking so confidentialy with
Joe Gains, as the two stood by the yard
gate,
Why, deacon, said Joe, ! always
thought you liked Bob Humphrey. He's
a tiptop fellow, and good match for any
girl know OF.
So he is, so he is, replied the deacon.
Cant say a word agin him, Know him
from boy. Can't forbid him the house,
or any of that sort of nonsense; but, then
he can't have Irene Wyer.
don't-see how you can help it, deacon.
You're only her gardian, and she Is about
of age.
Not for year yet-that's how the will
reads-and she's in my own house, you
know. | guess | can fix some things,
specially if you'll turn in and help me.
You're iowvnr. .Ioe Gains, but you're a
young one yet, and In ~. -. ,ba fat
test fee you ever dreamed of ifyou'll on
" mitch teams with me, and see that Bob
Humphrey don't get the upper hand.
Well, if that's what you're after so it's
all right and square, I'd as lief earn fee
one way as another. What's your pro-
gramme?
Well, you know there's nigh onto thir-
ty thousand coming to Irene Wyer, in
her own right, and I've took the best
kind o. keer of it. It's been a mighty
sight of trouble, and all along I've
thought of my son Scott.
Scott Pilsey? interrupted Joe. Why,
he's in California.
lie won't be long. He's comm home
inside of six months, and | want to keep
Irene safe for him. They used to be
wonderful thick, and he writ to her regu-
lar ever so long after he went away, and
so did she to him
DO they correspond now;
No, not now. There's the rub That's
one reason I'm looking out so sharp arter
Bob. Now, | want you to just take a
holt and try and keep Bob of till Scott
gets back. Twon't be for long, and Irene
amt such bad company nohow.
don't know, said Joe. There's Mag
gle and her mother. / couldn't be par
ticularly attentive to Irene without their
knowing it. And Bob Humphrey II be
sure to be around most OF the time, aud
it won't be long before | have the whole
village talking the matter up.
Never mind that Joe, never mind that.
lt'll be all right when Scott gets home.
III give yon the biggest kind Of n fee
Wen, deacon, cody replied the young
lawyer, it's pretty tough case, but III
take it on one condition.
What's that2
Why, so long as it's only fan, and al
that III 20 ahead, but il ii seems as If /
was doing any harm, anything real bad,
you know I'm at liberty to back out.
Wen, don't mind so long as you let
me know IN time.
Aud 50 the deacon and the lawyer dis.
cussed their plat to their satisfaction, and
when all was settled the latter took his
own way down the broad aud grass grown
street Of the village.
The old shark be muttered, as be
stroIIed leisurely on. What on earth pot
IL into his plotting Old lead to pitch on
me for bic toolt He never was more u
half decent TO ME before reckon Fii
earn my fee, but l'l be fair aud square
with Bob Humphrey What would Irene
sag II she knew what was apr Wouldn't
those black eyes Of hers strike hres
Now, it happened that Of late, unknown
perhaps, TO tho deacon, there bad been
growing up more than a little closeucss
between Joe Gains aud Bob
Humphrey, and thus IT was treachcry to
his friend az well as uufairness 20 the
pretty heiress 10 which the young lawyer
had allowed himself 10 be bribed by the
deac0u's promised fee
a deep fellow was Joe Gaines, and a
marvellous manipulator Of social afiairs
Again and again, 81 days aud weeks and
months went by, did Deacon piisey con-
gratalating himself oA his admirable se-
lection, aud chuokie in bis inmost being
a. be Witnessed ,he well conFlYed uc-
cess 81 J0es mgunuyfes There we're
pleuiess and drives parties, and eater
iainmeuts " various kinds, bat IL vain
did Bob Humphrey invite o. propose, Tie
young lawyer was sure % be beforehand