Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-01-07
Miscellany.
Missing.

mans teeth, uuce, and | shouldn't like 10
think that you meant them all"
So spoke John Birch. the carpenter, as
be stood up before the old bird-fancier-
tall, sinewy, aud strong, with his hand
sOme face in hot glow, and fash vi
temper in his eyes "a spcclment of ii fine
physical type, showing in marked contrast
with puny. pale young man abou, hi
own age, who sat in corner separately
reading, but in reality iutently watching
what was going Cd.
The harder the better. SO that they
hit the mark; but what have SAID to-
night | am ready to say asain-aye, and
mean them, too"
John Birch had never won much taver
from the little. d.featured old man who
kept the bird-sbor, and lived there with
his pretty granddaughter. But tonight
he had been iusulted. and before wit.
ucss, between whom and himself there
was an open fcu for it was as rivals that
they met. Tom Bartlett, the soft-spokou
schoolmaster, had managed to iusiuuate
himself ia the favor OF David Birch. aud
was also striving to supplant the young
carpenter III the regard of his cousin Pol.
/. Theold man was the first to speak.
"You need not glare at me like that
because | have found out what brings you
sueakiug around here"
IL never sneak, uncle; that does 10,
belong to the Brches."
mo, it does not, my lad" the old man
replied, in slightly modified tone add.
ing, "and | am sorry you do rot take af.
ter them. There's spice Of your moth
er-"
john Birch interrupted him, saying
passiouately, SILENCE. Uncle David yoa
must not dare to say word against her. "
This to my face Get out ut the
house, and never dare to cross my door.
step till you are sent for, which will be
long enough, for | tell you once for ali
that, If | cau hinder it, Polly Carson
shall never marry an idle, beggarlv fellow,
always out of work, who eau find nothing
better to do than live on his SISTERS earn.
ings"
This was the stab that cut the kecucs,
OF all. The young mans voice quivercl
as he said. THAT is TOO bad, Uncle Da,
vid, you don't know what feelings von
stir in me; aud in his excitement he
la D his hand on the od mans arm.
AT lha, moment the sly, watchfu read
er in the corner came forward, aHd. vii
fully misunderstanding his intention.
thrust himself between them. sa, ing.
Come, no violence, 1t would be pity,
and | should he so sorry; you ought to
remember MIR Birch is your uncle, and
an old man."
In an Instant he found himself pu,
back with just the amount Of force which
a strong man would feel needful to use in
dealing with some puny obstruction which
he held IN contempt. Mind you, own
business Ton Bartlett. and cont medde
with mine it dosea'l need your sly
tongue to teach ine what to remember
NJ uncle is in no danger of violence fro
me, and you know it, Then turning to
the old man he added, "Uncc. [ Shall
not want telling twice to go. ISnow you
bear me i'll will, but | didn't think it was
in you to upbruid man for what is no
fault Of his; Tor | defy any one that
knows me to say that | ever shirked wors
when | could get 1t 10 do. | am sorry
for what has passed to night. aud pe,haps
you will be before yon are many days old
err" and snatching up his cap. he strobe
ane'ily through the shop into the street,
without delgniDg anoIhcr look at Tom
Bartlett, VINO had skunk back into his
corner, and was once more taking mental
note Of everything that he saw aud heard.
III.
TO the surprise of tie neighbors David
Birch had not taken down his shutters,
though it was nearly eleven o'clock such
neglect of business had never occurred
before within their rememberance. But
a greater marvel still was the circumstance
of the old man himself being dressed ia
his best black suit, which he only wore or
important occasions. 1t was clear that
he was gong to keep holiday that day.
and that something UNUSUAL had happened
They would have been convinced of thi.
it they had penetrated to the little back
parlor and heard the old man talking IN
an unwontcd flow Of spirits.
"Put en- the best gown, Polly, and
wepr II in honor Of the good fortune tha,
is coming 10 us; thou shalt be dressed ia
silks, my bonby one"
IL would rather you gave some of The
money to.poor Nellie Birch. grandfather =
A 81 ade crossed his face. "Yes, give
her to support her idle brother-not .
shilling II is enough that the will givc'
it to him after my death, more the pity
if / could keep it FROM him l would"
"Oh, grandfather! !"
III tell thee l would but don't tall
about bim, child. do not want to b.