Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-05-22

was rid of that intolerable Mr.. Perkins a
once and forever
The impudence of your man Perkins
she said to her husband, overreached itseI
to-day. ordered him out of the house.
You did! said Mr.. Paret, putting dowr
his knife and fork, and looking at tht
partner of his bosom And what did bt
say'
SayP What could he say?
What did he do?
DoP What could be do? He went out
as he was ordered, and I've forbidden his
entering the doors again in any capacity
A grim smile distorted the features OF
Mr.. Paret. He had not smiled much oi
late, SO that the working of the muscles
was really distortion.
suppose he'd oblige you if he could,
said Mr.. Paret. I've found him very
kind and accommodating fellow; but he
cant help himself in this case.
In what case, Mr.. Paret? What do you
mean? said his wife, who saw that his
chin was shaking painfully, and his hands
trembled on the arms of bis chair.
A man can't very well stay out of his
own house, said Mr.. Paret. Everything
here belongs to Mr.. Perkins-house, fur
niture and all. He thought perhaps if it
was kept quiet might tide over; but it's
no use, Maria. I'm broken up hand and
foot Wen have to go back to the farm.
Then Mr.. Paret's head fell back power
less. He was carried to bed.
Shortly after, Peregrine junior came in,
with that draggled look that characterizes
cock that has been beaten upon his own
dunghill.
Here's 90, he said. Perkins black
balled at the club, and turns out he owns
the whole concern-boat house, water
front and all.
But nobody minded Peregrine junior. To
do Mrs. Paret justice, she was true
staunch woman in time of trouble.
Wen go back TO the farm. dearie. she
said to the poor distracted broker. Thank
God. that's mine' Nobody can touch that
Only get well and strong, Peregrine and
I'll be content to spend the rest of our
days there. OF course it will be blow
to Grace to leave Rverview; but she's II
good girl.
Yes. God bless her! said Mr. Paret.
But | don't believe that Grace will leave
Riverview with the old folks That night
as she sat alone in the parlor, her tears
falling fast upon the keys, sad thoughts
and heavy fears distracting her thoughts
from the melody, all at once big broad
shouldered shadow loomed up between her
and the moonlight.
| had to come in at the window, he
said, for you know I've been forbidden
the doors. | came 10 beg you to forgive
my laundering idiocy of to-day.
1t doesn't matter. said Grace. with n
sweet sad dignity that made Mr. Perkins
feel us if he'd like to get down on his
knees to her. We know now that every
thing here is yonrs-papa has told us.
We are going back to the farm, and then
you can come and 60 as you like.
That's all nonsense, SAID Mr.. Perkins,
devouring with his eyes the sweet sad face
beneath his own; your father will pull
through yet. and as for the rest, there's
only one thing in the house of any value
to me, and that's so priceless and precious
and unspeakably dear that l can't get
courage to plead for it.
But / think he did, for l met Watkins
myself the other day, and he said he was
going to Mexico, the country was going
to the dogs, and the franchise wasn't
worth cent. Too much power was Civ
en- to monopolies. In Riverview alone
was a case where one fellow, and an ord-
nary fellow at that, had gobbled up every
thing-boat club championship, a woman
that was next door TO an angel, and all.
You know her, pursued Watkins-Paret's
sister Grace; and you know him too, that
masquerading chap with beard What's
his name?-Perkins?