River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
HIRAM'S DUPLICITY.
BY cHARLEs r. HARKER

ne walked down to the stable at sunrise
iii set Hiram on the watch. It's con
temptible thing to do, to be sure. But ]
will not be tortured in this style any
longer. don't believe it. but want tC
find out for a certainty. And if there is
anything in tiff there is anything
and the speaker shut his lips unplCasantly
together.
Mr.. Quincy, who had been married
just two years, lived in a snug little place
named Cory Dell, few miles from the
city. Hiram Nesbitt, friend of his
bOyhOOd, was his man-of-all-wOrk: and
his nearest neighbOT was a cOmrade in
the war, handsome bachelor, Captain
KenTick. How Mr.. Quincy first became
jealous of the Captain he never knew As
he had a very plain face-and was keenly
aware Of it-perhaps it was when his
pretty wife asked him, laughingly, once
after a social gathering. why he was born
~ hOmely. and why his eyes could not
have been as deep and dark as those of
Captain KenTick. Perhaps it was when
he learned from Hiram that the CAV
captain had a habit Of dropping over to
COzy Dell when the master OF the place
was absent. But, whatever it was, Mr..
Quincy was undoubtedly jealous. Hiram
putting the little brown mare into the
buggy, noticed his employers morose
look, and said, in a general way.
. You don't believe in lucky days, nor
nOthin', do We, Mr.. Gurneyl Nor, nv
grandfather wouldn't no more have gone
a journey on a Friday, n he'd cut his
throat. Kinder funny, too, to day is Fri
day, NOW, amt itl"
. / don't see anything very funny about
it, said Mr.. Quincy but, before |
start, want to talk with you a little,
Hiram"
4" Yes replied Hiram. expcctantly,
ckling up the reins.
Well resumed Mr.. Quincy, some
what nervously, stroking the mares
aTched neck, iii tell you what | want
Hiram and it's favor wouldn't ask of
every man; but you and | were boys to-
gcther.'
Yes reiterated Hiram, in a tone
which said that, for his part, lac had no
desire to deny thecharge.
And, continued Mr. Quincy. hurried
ly, lit Is because you'll keep your mouth
shut about my asking a favor of you that
j ask il. What | want you To do is this
After you drive me to the depot, you are
to come straight back, and stay round
here all day, till Its time for you to come
after me at night. and tell me who comes
and who goes. DO you understand You
may work or not, just as yOu please; but
stay within sight of the house, keep your
eyes open. and tell me who comes and
who goes. That's all. VIII YOU do itl''
Sartain,' said Hiram. briskly; I'D as
licf-snot"
We'll, then" said Mr.. Quincy, his
brow clearing up, Jump in. We shall
barely catch the train"
Hiram drove Mr.. Quincy to the village
and saw him off on the cars. But when
he came back to the farm lac brought
with him bottle full of poor whiskey
and that bottle of poor whiskey kept
Hiram Nesbitt stretched out, al full
length. and fast asleep on the grass be-
hind the hedge, from the middle. of the
forenoon till nearly nightfall.
Mrs Quincy was fair Young blonde,
with limpid blue eyes and skin which
had once been dazzling white, but was
now tTifle Drowned. She had been a
belle and was still beauty. She looked
exceedingly attractive as she stood in the
vine covered door way, gazing out over
halo0 round her fair, stately head.
"Can you see him. said a strong CHEEKY
voice behind her.
See HIM, NO, indeed replied Mrs.
Quincy. with a pretty air of vexation.
Where do YOU suppose he is? Dear me
it's nearly sunset. Katie. can you drive a
hOrse?" continued Mrs. Quincy, shortly
turning to a buxOm damsel who was her
faithful handmade and, of necessity, a
companion as we'll.
"Oh," answered Katie. with an easy air
of superiority in that direction, certainly
can, Mrs. Quincy"
Z. You cant" said Mrs. Quincy, smil-
ing; well, I'm ashamed to say l can't.
But, if you can. | can 90 with you, and
we'll shut the house up. and 90 to the
depot and meet FraHk. Ii would never
do to let him walk home after his hot day
in the city. As for Hiram, am alarmed
about him. No distance, nor bolts, no
bars, could have kept him from his din
ner, and he didn't come to that. There
must be something the matter with him
However. there Is no time To lose. Will
YOU gol"
'Of course replied Katie. Ill 70
right and put my hat on, and have the
carriage up here to the door before you're
ready"
Fifteen minutes later, Cozy Dell was
basking in the rays Of the sun, with ne
one about the place save Hiram, still
asleep behind the hedge. But a human
figure soon appeared on the quiet scene
a slouchirg figure with weary gait Il
was a mar with coarse. red beard. anC
coarse. red. tangled hair. straying GU
from beneath we'll ventilated hat. ii
was 4 ragged, disreputable fellOw-in ;
word tramp and rs he lounged NJ
the path. staring about him, he muncheC
some food held in one griRy paw. III,
shambled COOlly up To the side of tn,
cottage, and Knocked. But, probably
he had a well-grounded suspicion tina
the action would prove an unnecessary
cxertion. for, without waiting for a n
sponse to his summons, he stepped on tn,
soft mold of the flower bed beneath tn,
window, and tried to raise the sash. L
was securely fastened.
With 4 mumbled oath, he east his eve
toward the stable. The door was wide
omen. His dusty face lighted His tirc'
limbs seemed already 70 feel the restfu
ease of new -mOwn hay. He stepped bach
to the path. walked to the stable, lookeS
wsriIv around him, and entered. Then
CHANGING around, and seeing nothing h
could conveniently appropriate, he climb
ed a ladder, gaining the top of the hay
mow- hurrowed q hole in one corner, ane
Ia,. down with a satisfied grunt.
III was VOL for him, perhaps, that n
spsconced himself 30 soon; for hardly haS
he passed from sight when there was
Stir and confused mutterinS behind IN
hedge.
Hiram's long nap was over; tie res'
slowly TO his feet, and looked stupldl'
over the landscape.
.This here's pretty go-this Is n
- - most sunset too "