The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-07-04
HIRAM'S DUPLlClTY.;-
BY CHARLES II. HARKER,

Eyes" said Mr.. Quincy to himself. as
re walked down to the stable at sunrise,
"I'll set Hiram on the watch. It's Il con-
temptibc thing to do, to be sure. But I
will not be tortured in this style any
longer. don't believe it, but l want to
find out for certainty. And if there is
anything in tiff there is anything"-
and the speaker shut his lips unpleasantly
together. ~
Mr.. Quincy, who had been married
just two years, lived in snug little place
named Cozy Dell, a few miles from the
city. Hiram Nesbitt, friend of his
boyhood, was his man-of-all- work; and
his nearest neighbor was comrade in
the war, a handsome bachelor, Captain
Kenrick. How Mr.. Quincy first became
Jealous OF the Captain he never knew. As
he had very plain face-and was .zeenly
aware OF it-perhaps it was when his
pretty wife asked him, laughingly, once
after a social gathering. why he was born
so homely, and why his eyes could not
have been as deep and dark as those of
Captain Kenrick. Perhaps it was when
he learned from Hiram that the gay
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 general way.
"You don't believe in lucky days, nor
nothin', do We, Mr.. Quincy? Nor, my
grandfather wouldn't no more have gone
ajourney on a Friday, n he'd cut his
throat! Kinder funny, too, today is Fri
clay, now, amt it,"
II don't see anything very funny about
it," said Mr.. Quincy. "But, before I
start, want to talk with you little,
Hiram"
eyes," replied Hiram, expectantly,
ckling up the reins.
WELL" resumed Mr.. Quincy, some
what nervously, stroking the mares
arched neck, "Ill tell you what want
Hiram-and it's favor I wouldn't ask of
every man; but you and were boys to-
gether.''
EYES," reiterated Hiram, in tone
which said that, for his part, he had no
desire to deny the charge.
''And,' continued Mr. Quincy, hurried
~, lit is because you'll keep your mouth
shut about my asking favor of you that
I ask it. What want you to do is this i:
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. Will you do it,"
'ssartain,' said Hiram: briskly; I'D as
ief'snot
"Well, 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 he brought
with him bottle full of poor whiskey;
and that bottle OF poor whiskey kept
Hiram Nesbitt stretched out, at 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 trihe Drowned. She had been
belle and was still a; beauty. She looked
exceedingly attractive as she stood in the
vine covered door way, gazing out over
the fields: with the setting sun throwinga
haloo round her fair, stately head. -.
"Can you see him?" said strong CHEEKY
voice behind her.
"See him! no, indeed" replied Mrs.
Quincy. with a pretty air of vexation.
"Where do you suppose he ise Dear me
it's nearly sunset! Katie, can you drive
horse?" continued Mrs. Quincy, shortly
turning to 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
l can, Mrs. Quincy"
"You cana" said Mrs. Quincy, smil-
ing; "well, I'm ashamed to say I can't.
But, if you can, can 20 with you, and
we'll shut the house up, and 20 to the
depot and meet Frank. It 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 go?" ~
"Of course" replied Katie. "I'll 90
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 no
one about the place save Hiram, still
asleep behind the hedge. But a human
figure soon appeared on the quiet scene,
slouching figure with weary gait. It