Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-02

keenly than before, and allowed that if
twas getting religion that had made him
so clipper he must have backslid now, he
was so uncommon glum."
Whatever Jamies trouble might be, the
farmer was troubled as well by the great
change in his boy.
When u lad as is II light-hearted lad
for general gets TO spending all bis spare
minutes looking at the toes of his boots,
there must be something uncommon the
matter" he said to his wife.
But the worthy dame thought best 10
keep her own connsel
He might take it into his head to send
the boy away to get cured Of his lovesick-
ness, and | could not bear to have him 90, j
she thought. And yet that was the very
/ thing Mr.. Eastman had resolved to do.
Jamie" he said one morning, 81 be.
gin to see you've been working too hard
this summer. You've not done growing
yet, and it tells on you. What do you
say to going to Uncle Bills awhile for Il
restp"
Jamie turned very red in the face and
looked hard at the floor, but said nothing
His father grew impatient.
:" Well, what do you sayP" he demand
ed.
That don't want to 60 to Uncle Bills
but Id like to 60 away, if you are willing.
I've been thinking quite spell I'd like to
buy my time and 90 for myself"
Buy your time and 60 for yourself!
The farmer repeated the words slowly in
his astOnshment. What's all this for !
should like to know, and what have you
got TO giveP"
There's nothing in particular the rea-
son why want to 60. can give you the
gray colt-he's mine, you know and the
two hundred in the bank that Aunt Mary
left me-"
Mr.. Eastman was silent for some time,
with his head resting on his hands.
Well, 60 if you want to-" he said at
length, "and let the money be where it is
or take it with you and spend it if you
like. You'll be glad enough to come back
when it's gone. Does your mother and
Ola know what FOOLS idea you have
taken into your head?"
mo; and I'd rather you wouldn't tell
them till I'm gone. They'll be sure to put
things in the way of my going"
The next morning only the farmer and
Jake answered the call to breakfast. Ja-
mie was gone. So was carpet-bas
which for years had hung over against
the chimney.
A fortnight passed, and letter came tC
Ola from her brother 1t was short and
gave an address. If anything happened
at home" she was to write to him, but no
otherwise.
So for three years he heard from home
only indirectly, until one morning there
came letter from Alice Budlong. His
mother was very >ick-dying, they thought
and if he wished to see her he mus
come at once! Ola was married and Iiv-
ing at II distance from the old home, so, It!
she must give her brothers. address tC
some one, she had chosen Alice, as being
both discreet and true friend to the
family.
The dusk of an autumn twilight was OF
the earth, and filled the room with lurking
shadows. when jamie. tall and bearded
came back and bowed his head over hi
mothers pillow. 1t was Alice who wei
coined him gladly, if not so warmly ~
Ola would have done-Alce who told hin
how his mother was, and insisted on his
having u cup of tea before going to hel
room. She was sleeping, just then, sht
told him, and ought not to be disturbed
The farmer had not yet finished his chores
and The two were alone in the great kitch
en-, where the freight, leaping brightly
from the hearth, kept, for brief space, thu
gathering night at bay.
Alice did not wonder Mt the change
which tie years had made in her ole
schoolmale; if she thought him handsome
it was only what long ago she thought HI
might be. But looking closely-though I
trihe, us it were, by stealth-she detected
look in his face which it panied her in
expressibly TO see But her own pain mus
be put back and away. 1t was nothinI
after all to what his mother would feel
And in her weak state, too.
The young man, having finished his tea
rose from tie table and moved toward tn
door leading to his mothers room; bu
Alice stepped quickly between him an
the door, and laid Il detaining hand on hi
arm.
Don't 90 in yet," she said wit
hcightening color. Mrs. Eastman is stil
asleep, and the doctors orders are tha
she must not be awakened, and | want
say something to you. She will ask yo
somethng-Wil want you 10 promis
something. Will you do it?"
He looked the earnest face over keenly
quizzingly, then blushed as he had nc
blushcd in many a day. But this passe
quickly, and Il look Of dogged rcsistanc
took its place.
"If | know what you mean," he sal
with some bitterness, may rs well lei
you that your concern is thrown away.
can take care of myself. Besides, wha
does it matter? I'm of precious small ac
count, anyhow
You're of very great account to her
and to more-Weak rs she is, TOO, Jamie
Only think what might happen if you re
fuae
"What-crying! Well, you're quee
girl, Alice; though you're II good one, toe
Ola always told me that, even if I'd neve
found it out for myself. But what is it no,
, tell me right out, so shall remembe
that you want me to promise"
Quit the road you've entered on" sh
, said, "quickly, lest your courage shoul
/ fail, and be the man God intended yo
Tor"
&, She had said it, and now She shranl
trembling from him, feeling sure she ha
), angered HIM. But whether it was angC
r or shame that TUNED his face so fiery ret
e who could have told then? He caught lt
= by her arm, and wheeling her aroun
n looked into her face as though he woul
| read her very soul. Perhaps he read
I secret there. Alice verify thought !
must, and shrank from him all the NOR
~ colorng violently.
+ "Suppose mother doesn't ask any pr
mise of meP" he said, still keeping h
}, eyes on her face
e Then promise me-" she said, meelin
e his gaze frankly, her face grown sudden
g pale.
g "Do you know how they do in son
T. places " here they seek to reclaim such
might become? They hold out hope
S them. But promise, Alice; for the sal
of the old days, promise, ,"-changing Il
|, subject to keep down Il struggle that W;
v rising within him-"let us 60 and ST
II mother"
t "Go in alone; that is best" Alice sa
l. ohokingly; "You will be better than me
r icine to her" And so it proved; for whC
d at the end of n fortnight Jamie went aw,
: size was able to leave the room for fe
IS hours each day.