Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-05-14

! see this Mr.. Jumping Jack, who writes
this splendid copper-plate hand, when
he reads it. l presume he is old and
gray and a -familias withal. Of
course he is precise, or he couldn't write
like that. | wonder whether | shall get
response. What do you think q
Mr.. Haven unfolded the heavy sheet
of letter paper handed him, and read
slowly what was written in the elegant,
running hand. his wife looking over his
shoulder. laughing immoderately:
RUTLAND. VI, May 10, 1875.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington,
d. c.:
SIR.-The letter from your departs.
ment was duly received. 1t will be i'm
possible for the claimant to satisfactori-
ly reply to the interrogation given, as
the department requests, she never hav-
ing seen the man referred to and not
even knowing his name she is, howev-
er. of the honest belief that his color
was white. The claimant. in common
with many young ladies in the present
enlightened age, being left to fade on
the parent stem where she budded, and
is now in full bloom thereon, and, of
course, supposiug her husband, that was
to be, must have been killed in the late
war. she considers herself entitled to
some compensation therefor, and has
concluded that her loneliness would be
more tolerable could the government be
induced to commiserate her state of sim
gularity in the way of granting her a
pension.
Another ten days passed, and as Mr..
and Mrs. Haven were again making a
social call upon the Glazier's, MIR. Gla-
zier came in with second missive from
the pension department-not printed
form this time. only with the official
heading, saying that
After due consideration and investi-
cation. the department has reason to be-
lieve that Fear Glazier's husband was
not killed as she supposes. In fact, it
ia believed that he is living in Washing
ton at the present time. The name of
the suspected person is Jacob johnson,
who is clerk in this office. This indi-
vidual has been interviewed, and the de-
partment believes that if Fear Glazier
could be induced to correspond with the
aforesaid Jacob Johnson, the whole mat
ter would be satisfactorily arranged
without the interference of the govern
ment.
"What is to be done now ?" asked
Fear. in her turn. 1.-The affair looks Sc
rious."
'Oh, keep up the correspondence, :
cried both Mr. Haven and his wife. "It
will be capital discipline for your epis-
tolary talents. The man is evidently a
cultivated person only be cautious how
and what you write" said Mr.. Haven.
This is one of your opportunities; make
the best of it. You have SO little of So
ciety here, as you complain that pleas
/
ant. spicy correspondence will compen-
safe for many dull associate"
81 don't know about it." spoke up
Mr.. Glazier, shaking his head.
! "But, papa" interposed Fear, "don't
veto the bill without due consideration.
Please consider that it has passed both
houses the executive should not be too
captious, just think how dull | am here.
l have been really wishing all day that
parson Potter would elope with Mrs
Noble, that Aunt Bathsheba Holt and
Bill Snow would get up Irritation. OF
that Deacon Vinton could be caught
stealing chickens-anything, almost, SC
as to have some local excitement. I'm.
agine what war of wit shall have
with this Jumping Jack of "Jacot
Johnson"-a treat for me. to say moth
ing of the amusement afforded you and
mamma, and our good friends. Mr.. anC
Mrs. Haven. l don't intend to keep th,
entertainment all to myself"
'You are fully able to plead your owl
case. at all events" said Mr.. Haven
looking with admiration at the pretty
and animated picture made by the fun
loving girl. Perhaps after your fathe
has smoked one of my cigars, he will b,
better able to give his decision. VIII
you try one, sir p profering the case
The two gentlemen adjourned to the pi
azza, and while Fear seated herself a
the piano. Mrs. Glazier and her visito
falling into confidential conversation
under cover of the music, as elderly la
dies will frequently do. Fear heard he
fathers hearty laugh sounding out fror
the piazza, and turning around on th
piano stool, just then, saw her mothe
with queer repressed kind of a smil
on her face. and thought what very en-
tertalnlng people their new nelgnooI
, were.
"About my husband, papa" she sale
as Mr.. Haven and his host re-entere
} the parlor. '.may try to identify him ?
| "Oh, yes. but mind you don't get col
fidential with any of your young friend
or we shall have all the girls in tt
county trying like experiments
In her next letter Fear expressed ht
willingness to do her best to dlscov'
, whether the aforesaid ~ j." was ii
? name intended for her from the begil
ming of the world, and epistles in whic
(. all the creations of books. authors an