Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-07-08

tlfui HAIR, OF wear IL so long. lOu ulu IL
| well, not counting few notches, aud left
| him none on his head.
/ 1t was impossible to help laughing when
we took final look at him in the rays of
the moon, Fred turning himself about to
be inspected; his hair, clipped nearly to
| the roots. suggesting a suspicion that he
had just come out of prison; his trousers,
not reaching to the ankle. showing off the
heavy, patched. dsreputable boots; the
| smock- frock: and Mack's spotted cotton
neckerchef mutfled round his chin.
Your own mother wouldn't know you,
Fred"
"What figure shall cut if am drop
ped upon. and brought back"
Take heart man.! cried Tod. Resolve
to get Off, and you will get off,
"Yes, Fred. You have been helped
hitherto, and | think you will be helped
stm."
Thank you, Johnny. Thank you both.
riH take heart. And if ever live to re-
turn, hope shall thank you better"
Later we dared not stay; it was past
nine now. bade Fred goodbye, and God
speed.
Between balf-past twelve and one,
mind, will be your time; you'll hear the
clock strike was Tod's injunction, given
in a whisper. Good luck to you. old fell
low. hope aud trust you'll dodge the
enemy. And as soon as you are clear of
the churchyard make off as if the dickens
were behind you"
We walked home in the moonlight, ST.
lent enough, Tod handing me the bundles
to carry. The Squire attacked Us, demand
ing whether We had stayed out to look At
the moon.
And tossed and turned on my restless
bed till the morning hours, thinking OF
poor Fred Wester5rook and whether
he would get away. When sleep at last
came il brought very vivid dream.
thought he did not get away. He was un-
able 10 unlock the church door. Whether
Tod and had double locked it in leaving
| know not; but Fred could not get 1t
open When Clerk Bumford entered the
church in the morning, and the early CON-
ers OF the congregation with him, there
stood Fred, hopelessly waiting TO be tax
en-. | saw him as plainly in my dream as
| had ever seen him in reality; with the
dirty smock frock, the patched boots. aud
the clipped hair. Shepherd. who seemed
10 follow me ill., darted forward and seized
him; and in the confusion | awoke. Just
for a minute | thought it was true-a scene
actually enacted. Would it prove SOP
You have gone aud done a fine thing,
Master Johnny Ludlow! ~
The salutation came from Clerk Bum
ford. He was standing at the church door
on Sunday morning, looking out as If he
expected me. his face pale and stern. |
had run on betilnes; in fact, before the
bell began.
"W hat have done Bumford:'
"Why, you Just went and left this here
church open last night. You never lock
ed it up, When come In but now, found
the door right on the latch never as ruth
as Shut
Beginning TO protest till all was blue.
that had shut and locked the door-as
knew too well-caution pulled me up, and
whispered to take the blame.
I'm sure | thought | locked 1t. Bum
ford. never left it unlocked before. aud
I'll take care | never leave il so again
''Such thing ~ having the church
open for night was never heercd Of" he
@aesd @ pes 6 tuTsbR 9s bG aMn 70 rinE out 1e
had all my store o. candles stole there's
nigh pound on 'em in here. And my
black gowud-and the parsons gownd-
and his surpice, Besides the .rave-dig-
ging tools. and other odds and ends
shutting himself into his den underneath
the belfry, aud tugging iiercely at the
cords, the bell tinkled out, warning the
parish that it was time TO come TO morning
service. The bell-rnger was n poor old
man named Japhet. who was apt TO be a
little late. Upon which, Bumiord would
begin the ringing, and blow Japhet up
when he came.
Not soul was yet in church. went
down the middle aisle, softly calling Fred
Westerbrook's name. He did not answer;
and went back, hoping to my heart he
had got clear away. Nevertheless. | could
not shake off the remembrance of my un-
pleasant dream.
OF all idiots. that Bumford was the
worst. Japhet had taken his place at the
bell, and he was telling the parson of my
sins.
Right on the latch all the blessed night
sir. We might have found the whole
church ransacked out this morning"
Mr.. Holland, mild mar, with cares
OF his own, looked at me with half smile.
How was il. johnny"
IL have assured ,Bumford sir, that it
shall not happen again. l certainly thought
had locked it when took him back the
key. No harm has come of it,"
But harm might ha' come" persisted
Bumford. Look at all them candles in
there. aud the gownds and surplices.
Pretty figures we should ha' cut, saying
his reverence's presence, with nothing to
put upon our backs this here blessed
morning."
Taking of the key, missed mine this
morning." remarked Mr.. Holland. Have
you fetched it away for any purpose, Bum
ford?'
What, the tother church key?' exclaim-
ed Bumford. Not |, sir; I'd not be like
ly to fetch that key when I've got the 10th
er ole - and without your reverences
knowledge, either"
''Wel, | cannot find it anywhere" said
Mr.. Holland.
He went into the vestry with the last
words. Close upon that arrived Shepherd,
folded paper in his hand. 1t contained
request that Gisby might be prayed Tor in
the Litany.
'Whal amt he dead YETI" asked Bum
ford.
No." returned Shepherd. "The doc
tors be afraid that Inflammation 8 a setting
in now. Any way, he is rare and bad
poor man.
Next came in my set of singers, chiefly
boys and girls from the parish school. But
they sang better than such children gen.
orally sing. Mrs. Iodhetley had long TAX
en- pains with them, but latterly it had
been upset by Richards crotchets.
Now, look here said l, gathering
them before me. I'VE are not going to
have any shrieking to-day. We sing to
worship Hod, you know. and He is not a
mile or two away, that you need shout out
to be heard all that distance"
| "Please, sir. Mr.. Richards tells us to
sing out loud as loud as ever we can"
| "Well. never mind Mr.. Richards to -day.
l am going to play. and tell you to sing
softly. II you don't | shall stop the or
gan and let you shout by yourselves.
You'll not like that. To shout and shrek
| in church Is more irreyerent than | care tn
talk of
l watched the different groups walk in.
Our people were pretty early. When the
parsons children came In. Mrs. Holland
was with them. so that Edna Blake was
enabled to join the singing. Edna had
circles round her eyes. They looked out
at mine with apainful inquiry in their
depths.
Yes. think it is all right" nodded in
answer.
Mr.. Holland has missed the church
key" she whispered. Coming along to
church, Charley suddenly called out that
l hs.r 0mh t.