Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-03-09


and fair; and none Of us is going to resent
hard word at such a time-not 1, for one.
You mustn't think hard Of ME If 1 answer
you just as plainly as you've asked. But
| you know, Squire why none OF us is very
ready TO begin talk with you-which 1
must say, has gone against you in this
matter pretty bad"
And then Atkins went on In his blunt
way, but not unkindly, to tell what the
suspicious were, and how they had been
excited. Nep's adventure and Penders
! inspection figured largely, but somewhat
| 10 his own surprise, Atkins got to the end
of his story sooner than he expected.
| These two incidents and the mere fact of
E!sev's sudden disappearance, contained
the substance of II. He felt unwilling 10
| 90 back to the circumstances of Mrs.
Denpton's death which, in truth, had been
the first unuotecd stimulaul to suspicion;
nor could he very reasonably dwell on the
disposition which prevailed to suspect
Dempton on account of his manners aud
mode of life. When he ceased speaking,
| the cork was drawn but the llud was fiat;
the pent up excitement of the past weeks
suffered a collapse. In his simplicity At
kns felt half ashamed of himself, and pro-
voked at his neighbors as if they had got
him into scrape. He was too sincere and
manly, however, not to give Dempton dis
tinctly to understand that there was some-
thing TO be explained, If 1t less than fully
justified the suspicious that had been en-
terained.
The singular vigor of Dempton's mind
aud oh untv ShovyeI iisp1f Whafay-
er the likelihood beforehand of some such
occurrence, its gravity and the turn il took
had 10 be met on the moment. He saw his
advantage and used it with decision, but
very calmly did not press over eagerly
the points in his favor, and promptly fore
stalled future proceedings by proposing an
immediate investigation, which, he said,
he had right then and there TO claim at
their hands.
Never did a man, starting under such
disadvantages, go so far and so quickly TO
reinstate himself in public opinion. Not
only that he gained what he never had be-
fore-some measure of personal regard-he
seemed so manful, bore himself so we'll un-
der trial so sudden aud so severe. There
was not a sign of begging off or Of evading
to notice the favorable disposition which
began to show itself, and which might have
been readily applied to ease off the pres
sure.
His explanations, which we need not
closely follow, were minute and full. The
letter, which he put into Atk mss hands,
was what he had said. A grim smile pass
ed over his face as he acknowledged that
there was some cause for Nep's disturb
ance, though it was only dead dog that he
himself had been compelled 10 dispose of
the next day by the simple process OF throw
ing il into the stream. They all knew how
a negroes Imagination would magnify such
a circumstance. Pender, too, was right.
He had been destroying some old clothes of
his own that were made utterly worthless
by the work he had lately been engaged in;
and there was an old moth eaten hair-trunk
that had belonged to his wife which he
burned at the same time He touched skill
fully the prejudices against him on account
of his manners. There might be causes
unconnected with evil, yet implying much
sorrow aud trouble, TO render him silent
and reserved, not TO speak Of natural dispo-
sition. Must a man publish all this on
ca ming 10 strange place, or be suspected?
Tne master move on Demp;on's part then
fIiiOwed.
"Gentlemen," he said-and the palmer
the white people Of that region, the more
punctilious are they on formal occasions as
to that ttle-'had you been invited 10
meet me here for this purpose"-the shrewd
man suspected they had come by a quasi
agreemeni-"ihere could hardly be a bet
ter representation of the neghborbood. l
am willing 10 trust myself 10 your judg-
ment. Your verdict, as 1 may call it, will
be accepted by the whole community. 1
propose, then, gentlemen, that We proceed
at once and together 10 my house, aud that
a full aud thorough search be made Of the
premises. am ready 10 abide by the re-
suit. If there were anything else that
could do TO back up the assertion that
have made would do it.. But this is the
utmost in my power. think the law it.
self would not require more"
Dempton had taken them entirely by sur
prise when he offered TO begin his xplana-
tion. His present proposal redoubled the
sensation. A battery suddenly captured
and turned upon its defenders could not
have done more execution. lie was mas
ter of the situation.
There was nothing demonstratiye, how
ever, in his manner or theirs. His sugges-
tion was instantly and quietly acted on. 1t
was obviously the only test of his explana-
ton that was within reach but by bring
ing it forward himself he had greatly add
ed to his credit. He went out at the head
of the little procession that followed him as
an escort rather than guard. There would
have been a promiscuous accompaniment
of boys and negroes, and Dempton's cheek
flushed as he observed it, but he said moth
ing. Some remarks passed in an under
tone among the others, and one of them
said aloud, "Gentlemen, we are going TO
visit Mr.. Demptons premises at his invi-
tation, and I'm of the OF inion that it will
be proper for the children and niggers to
stay behind" One or two others besides
youngsters and "boys" took the hint, so
that the party, as finally composed, was
fairly respectable and representative.
Demptou's manner rose almost 10 dignity
as he said "Gentlemen, are you readyH"
and raised his hat the response 10 which,
though very unconventional, showed how
the innate sense of propriety is brought out
by serious purpose or any high-wrought
feeling. The halG-hour's drive was made
for the most part in silence, and they were
soon gathered in one group before the door.
Dempton then spoke.
~ ask it both as favor and right, gen.
tlemen, that you will conduct this search
thoroughly in your own way, SO as per-
fectly 10 satisfy yourselves. 1 am ready to
answer any request you may think proper.