Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-11-12

DUH Lao ana WHY CONSIDERED IL an eXn
ceedingly fortunate combination of cir
'cumstances that closed the school an hour
earlier than usual that afternoon. They
had found time at noon to fasten one end
of the telephone at the loft window, and
had carried the other down across the field
There. after much climbing and many eff
forts, they succeeded in putting it over the
limb of tree that would serve for sup
port. And, beside, guess that's ground
connection, too, said Tad. OF course it
is, for the tree runs into the ground.
After they reached the edge If the wood |
they considered all obstacles surmounted, |
and it was decided that Tad should 90 on
to the mill and complete the line, while
Willy went back to listen at the barn.
I'll let you know as soon as l get it |
fixed here, and you must answer right
away, directed Tad, who had, from the
first, assumed command of the enterprises
and Willy departed.
The mill was in quiet nook by a little
stream, and there were no more curious
eyes than those of birds and squirrels to
watch lads movements when he reached
the place. He assured himself of that fact
by one swift glance around him, and then,
tying string to his wire, he attached "a
pebble to tho other end of the string, and
tossed it in through an upper window of
the old building. Acrsss the worn and
sunken sill, over the broken floor through
which wild grasses were springing, and up
the rickety stairs, went the boy, as full of
ambitious plans as had ever been the own
er of the place when the ruined structure
was new. But if the crumbling walls
laughed at the vanity of human expecta-
tons Their did it silently, and Tad merrily
drew in his wire, made it taut, and arran-
ged the tin box that had strayed so far
from Bridget's store-room. Then he sent
his salutatory hail.
Willy! Albright
Twice he Repeated it, receiving no an
swer. Willy might not have reached the
barn so soon, so, with ear to the box he
quietly waited. For two or three minutes
the silence was unbroken save by rustling
leaves or ripping brook. Then came II
faint murmer, growing gradually into
voice.
| The telephone was 4 success!
Tads eyes sparkled as he bent his head
and eagerly listened to catch the words
that presently grew more distinct, and
formed themselves-was he dreaming?
No, Enthusiastically, that was the very les
son repeated by the primary class that af-
ternoon.
Tad started in amazement. Willy was
not remarkable for remembering his own
lessons, and repeating those of other class
es was quite beyond his ability; his young
partner mentally declared it impossible.
He had read some strange stories of the
telephone gathering up mysterious sounds
on its way; but their line did not pass near
the school house, and if it had-Hark! there
came another voice.
It's good thing to have learn, Dode.
Amt we glad you can 60 to school?
Yes, but the answering tone held IL
little troubled doubt in it.
And you have nice timesP and they're
real good to you? And it seems like liv.
in? was questioned eagerly. That's what
say to m yself all day when I'm workin'
-Dodes havin' good times an gettin'
learnin' she's where it seems like livn'.
Yes, came in slow reply again, land the
voice seemed striving to arouse some old
enthusiasm that the bearer might not be
disappointed. Oh, yes, Joe; there's mans
an books, an Pm gettin' on. And they re
good to me-most of 'em. Tad Kendrick
was.
Tad started, left his wire and looked
little Dode Bum with her brown bare feet
and funny bonnet, and beside her boy
not so much older than Tad, but with no
boyish look on his face--leaning upon
hoe that told he had been working in some
of the fields near the village.
That isl guess he was, pursued Dode
hesitatingly. The girls do have such
pretty flowers, Joe-such pretty ones!-
and he gave me a bunch. They was old,
dry ones, but guess-may be-he didn't
know mnch bout that, and they was all
! he had. But wish it had been real nice
bouquet-Bobby'd like it so, and 'twould
seem like-like other folks to have real
bouquet give all to me, Joe.
Tads face flushed holly, though no eyes
were upon it.
Course they'd be good to you, said Joe,
answering more some thought of his own
than Dode's words. Why you're nice and
smart as any of 'em. Amt many little
girls can keep house and patch like you
can, Dode-none of 'em can beat you.
But don't believe they care much about
such things, she said wistfully.
Oh Joe!-the pain Of the day breaking
into words-I do wish could have nice
aprons and shoes and white hands, like all
of 'em
Joe took off his battered straw hat and
wiped his brow. He twired the hat un.
easily in the fingers roughened aud hard
W it'll toll.
Mebbe might find little extra work,
somewheres, SOS we could buy new
apron-he began; but Dode penitently in
lerrupted:
No! no! dind't mean me without all OF
us You're the best kind of brother, Joe
I'd rather have you than all the things in
the WORLD but you must save all your
money for poor lame Bobby, and I'll pick
berries for that too, if | get brown anC
scratched all over, will
Lame Bobby Bum! Tad had seen him
a forlorn little fellow, sitting in the door
way of Il small cabin quite in the outskirts
of the village. He had seen Joe, too with
large hoe and diminutive dinner-pail plod
ding along the road. morning after morn.
Ing; but he had never thought of either Of
them as belonging to Dode, or of Dode as
belonging to anybody. In fact, no one
,, appeared to have given any thought to the
family so recently come to the village.
: No,repled Joe,after Il moment s silence
if we can Just raise money enough to send
poor Bobby away to be doctored, we won'
mind workn' an savin'.
Nor patches, nor scratches, sadded brave
little Dode.
Tad watched them as they walked away.
but the nondescript apron and immense
; bonnet had lost their comical aspect.
It's too mean for anything! he mutterd
but did not say what or whom. He wait.
ed until they were out of hearing, then
called once or twice to Billy, and, receiv-
ing no answer, started homeward, but with
thoughts more intent on other things than
the failure of the experiment.
Willy met him near the garden gate and
questioned with peculiar look:
Did you hear anythingP
Yes, answered Tad.
Now | knew that thing was all hum
bug! declared Willy in disgust. For, sir
Tommy found the wire at the barn win
dow rs soon as we got away, and cut it
down for his fish line, so I neUer sent ana