Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-11-10

the dark cloud was upon him. Nor old
she wish to meet either Mr.. OF Mrs. Brack,
EFT. So they both stayed at home.
Peter Bracket was even more mlsera-
BILE than John Welton, though perhaps he
did not know it He held in close COM
panionship the very worst demon a mar
can embrace-the demon Of wrathful ven
geance-and in order to maintain himself
at the strain to which he had set his feel
ings, he was obliged to nurse the monster.
He did not attend church on that day nor
did his wife. Two Or three times during
the calm, beautiful Sabbath, as he glanced
over toward his neighbours dwelling, he
found himself beginning to wish that he
had not gone to see John Welton in such
heat Of anger; but he put the wish away
andTnursed back his wrath.
On Monday, toward noon, the constable
came in from the village, and read to John
Welton an imposing legal document. 1t
was a summons issued by VIM. Garfield
Esq. a justice of TIE peace and quorum,
ordering the said John Welton to appear
before him at two Of the clock on Wednes-
day, at his office, then and there to answer
the complaint of Peter Bracket, etc. The
officer read the summons, and left with the
defendant copy.
1t was the first time John Welton had
ever been called upon to face the law. At
first he was awe stricken, then he was
wroth. He told himself that he would
fight it to the bitter end. And now he
tried to nurse his wrath, and became more
unhappy than before.
On Tuesday evening Parson Surely call
ed upon Mr.. Welton. The good man had
heard Of the trouble, and was exceedingly
exercised in spirit. Both the men were Of
his flock, and he loved and respected them.
He sat down alone with Welton, and asked
him what it meant.
''Tell me calmly and candidly all about
it," he said.
After little reflection, MI. Welton told
the story. He knew the old clergyman for
a true man and whole hearted friend,
and he told everything just as he under
stood it.
'And neighbor Bracket thinks, even
now, that you shot the dog, knowing that
it was his ?''
II suppose So"
eff you had told him the exact facts in
the beginning, do you think he would
have held his anger ?''
This was hard question for John Vel
ton, but he answered it manfully.
"Truly, parson, I do hot think he
would"
"Were you ever more unhappy in your
life than you have been since this trouble
came p
II think not.''
''And, if possible, neighbor Bracket is
more unhappy than you.''
''Do you think sop
Eyes. He is the most angry and re-
vengeful."
A brief pause, and then the parson re-
sumed
"Brother Welton, with you are needed
but few words. You are more man than
Brother Bracket. Do you not believe he
has a good heart ?.
Eyes"
81 wish you could show how true and
good your heart ISL
s'Parson ~
81 wish you could show him that you
possess true Christian courage
sParson what do you mean ?''
II wish you hao the courage to meet
and conquer him."
Chow would you have me do it %
"First, conquer yourself. You are not
offended %
''No. Go on.''
And thereupon the good old clergy-ma
drew up his chair and laid his hand upon
his friends arm and told him just what
he would have him do. He spoke ear
nestly, and with tears in his eyes.
Brother WeIton, have you the heart
and courage to do this p
The farmer arose and took two or three
turns across the floor and finally said:
81 will do it,
On the following day, toward the mid
die of the afternoon, Peter Bracket stood
in the doorway with his head bent. He
was thinking whether he should harness
his horse and be off before dinner or
whether he would wait until afternoon.
He could not even put his mind to ordi-
nary chores.
II wonder,'' he said to himself, chow
the trial will come out! I s'pose We'll
ton'll hire old Whitman to take his case.
OF course the ofice'll be crowded. Tom
Frost says it's noised everywhere, and
that eyerybody'll be there. Plague take
it! [ wish -
His meditations were. interrupted by
approaching steps, and on looking up he
beheld neighbor Welton.
"Good morning. Peter"
Bracket gasped, and finally answered;
sGood morning." though rather crusti-
ly.
Welton went on, frankly and pleasant
ly;
'You will go to the village to-day?'
Il s'pose 500
ubfC USGu NY y O0l
field to be there, also, but really, Peter, I
don't want to go. One of us will be
enough. Garfield is fair one, and when
he knows the facts he will do what is right.
Now, you can state them as well as L can,
and whatever his decision is, will abide
by it. You can tell him that I shot your
dog, and that your dog had done me no
harm"
'Do you acknowledge that old Carlo
never harmed you-that he never troubled
your sheep ?" inquired Bracket with star
tied surprise.
cit was not his nature to do harm to
ANYTHING. am sure he would sooner have
saved one Of my sheep than have killed
it.''