The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1877-12-06

Two doors below us lived the Misses
Hardy, s couple Of maiden ladies Of nu-
certain age, bat only owplng to thirty
ive and tAlriy-slK years. BetwlKi them
they managed 10 oversee al ibe bnslBes
Of tie ueighb0rhood, and - their hOusc
had 20 front yard, bal was pushed out
hlmos, even with The EidewAlk, Il gave
them gTeslsr facilities for knowing all
that was going on. Miss Hardy Glanced
to be sweeping her front steps as we
passed and sister Ann stood in the door
listening 10 the answers 20 The questions
which came thick and fast,
Where are you goia', Dolly, and who
is that strange gentleman IL 1t some
one sou knew before yod iIost yoat for
iin'g she asked in a shrill whisper, with
her long neck craued forward for an an
swer
Fall Into line, both Of you, thnndered
the Fool Catcher. Two tattling, prying
old maids, always watching TO blow
every spark Of gossip iato blaEe Of
scandal; Il disgusis me TO think Of ii.
There are only two kinds Of folks who
mind other peoples business. One kind
haven't any business Of their own, aud
the other kind hayen't any mind.
A little farther on Mrs, Sharp was
down on her knees with cloth diIigenl-
y scrubbing of her threshold after The
rain. The Fool Catcher stepped into The
yard, and softly touched her shoulder
She started up and looked at him iiercey
oh, you can't go in, said she, the steps
are just cleaned, and the floor mopped,
and ! couldn't have them muddied for
anything. You will find Mr.. Sharp
down at the store, or at the post Office.
am the Fool Catcher, he responded,
curtly, get your shawl and come with
me. Yon are the woman who keeps her
house so painfully neat that her husband
and children are virtually turned ont Of
doors. ] saw them before ] came here.
Mr.. Sharp was playing cards in the store,
aud Willie was taking drink at a sa-
loon. There was need enough for me to
come for you, | should think.
So we started along, the Fool Catcher
and myself, the Misses Hardy and Mrs.
Sharp, who went along grumbling and
complaining that he had no business to
call for her. There wasn't speck OF
dust in the whole house, and you might
search II with candle from cellar to gar.
ret. But now the house wasn't locked,
and the children could get in when they
chose, and track the floors, and move the
chairs, and dlsarrange things generally.
Oh, II was dreadful.
just as we turned the corner, who
should we meet but the Hon. Mr.. Swell.
lie was not large man naturally, but he
grew perceptibly larger as he swelled ont
with importance when the Fool Catcher
halted the queer procession In front Of
him.
Mr.. Swell, presume, said the Fool
Catcher, politely.
Yes, my name is SweH, and with this
he swelled out larger and larger, and his
broad expanse fshirt bosom seemed to
visibly widen before us. have very
extensive acquaintance throughout the
county and State, but cannot remember
ever seeing you before
All, perhaps not, but you was sure to
meet me sooner or later. ! ! am called the
Fool Catcher. Fallinto the ranks.
What--mel said the honorable gentle
man. There is some mistake. DO you
know that have held high offices in both
town and State? Are you aware that my
father was a lawyer and my brother a
judge? My family connections are such
that the common people look up TO me
with wonder. | am doing a great deal
for religion, also Irun the church here
entirely.
The Fool Catcher looked at him nquir-
ingly.
Not financially, sir; others pay the
money and manage it.
No more time for argument, said the
Fool Catcher. You are just the man /
want. Talk of the ability of your rea-
tivesl 1t is as If a mushroom should
hold up its head and aspire TO honor be.
cause wheat grew on one side of II aud
an apple tree on The other. II would not
change the nature Of The thing at all. II
might do for mushroom sauce If gathered
in season, but could naser make bread
You may head the procession, you are
worthy Of the place
During this harangne Mr.. Swell had
shrpnk to little below his usual size.
His head was thtust Httle forward, and
his lower jaw dropped In wonder.
Meanwhile the Fool Catcher had not
been idle. A couple Of young ladies
whose rude ways and unseemly manners
had made them the talk Of the village for
months, we're quietly motioned 10 their
place among us, and dandy fell in Of
his own accord to keep them company.
So we started once more, the dandy,
the TWO young ladies, the Misses Hardy,
Mrs, Sharp and myself, led by Mr.. Swell,
who had not yet thought to close bis
mouth, and the absence Of few front
teeth rendered The expression Of bis face
quite striking.
Oar next call was made al the preten-
tons mansion OF Mr.. DeLong, and we
could hear The tinkIe Of ivory keys before
resoundiBg peal OF the bell brought the
maid to the door Ia hurry What pass
ed within The honse we could not bear,
bot presently Mrs. DeLong, with her