Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-02-28

row OF poplars that skirted the lane.
Hasn't David got back YETI" aske,
Mr.. Golden, as he took his seat at tn
supper-table that night.
"No," said his wife. "The girl
have been to the foot of the lane two O
three times to meet him, but he wasn'
in sight. 1 do hope he won't be on
after dark with all that money"
I" I most wish I hadn't sent him TO
it, said Mr.. Golden. "But then b,
wouldn't let anybody know he had it
he's bright enough for that"
Somebody might have been watch
ing him unbeknown," suggested Mrs
Golden.
Now don't you go to worrying abou
David" said Faith. "He's like cat
he always lights on his feet. do wisI
he'd bring home my ribbon, though;
wanted you to put it on for me, Jess. ,
"Time enough for that before Sun
day." said Jessie, with.a ightness which
belied her heart.
By-and-by the kitchen clock STRUCK
nine, and springing to her feet, Jessie
exclaimed, "Oh, my didn't think il
was SO late Mother will begin to think
I am lost, too"
"Tll go with you, if you'll accept an
old mans company instead of a young
one's," said Mr.. Golden.
"It's such beautiful night l guess
I'll go, too," said Faith. "Perhaps we
shall meet David on the way"
But although more than once they
thought they discerned his 1.-the form in
the distance, it proved to be only the
swaying shadow of poplar.
He means to show me that [ was
too forward in saying what I did" said
Jessie to herself, when she had bade her
friends goodnight; "but when he does
come, I'll show him that Imeant notn-
ing at all, that will. As to the rose,
I've good mind to throw it away"
snatching it from her belt. But per-
h, ps he has a good excuse; and, any
how, the rose isn't to blame, poor
thing"
81 wish knew where that boy was
said Mrs. Golden, taking a last look out
into the night, as her husband went to
bar the front door preparatory to going
to bed.
81 can tell you where he is," said
Faith, confidently; "he's staying with
Tom Penhallow. It isn't the first time,
by good DEAL"
81 know he and Tom are great GRO
nies," said Mrs. Golden. "It's singu
lar, too, for they amt bit alike"
"L wish they were more alike in some
things said Mr., Golden,
Z" l hope you don't mean to say that
Toms superior to our David Why,
he can't shake stick at him 70
I mean to say that wish David had
some OF Toms prudence, and his care
full, saving ways"
"They say he's dreadful mean crit
ter, remarked Mrs. Golden.
"He's steady and industrious, and
knows how to stick to one thing, and
that's what you can't say of our David,
more's the pity"
"There amt but one thing he knows, 4"
said Faith, "and that's how to tend that
little grocery of his"
"Just so," said Mrs. Golden. "The
idea of comparing Tom Penhallow with
our David |"
This brief discussion had 60 diverted
the minds of the Golden family that they
went quietly to bed and slept till morn.
ing; but when the morning was we'll on
its way toward the noon, and still the
wapderer had not returned, their ankle.
ty was renewed.
eff it wasn't for the money, I
shouldn't think so strange of it," said
Mr.. Golden.
Law, he's forgotten all about the
money, and gone off snipe-shooting with
Tom, said the invincible Faith.
But this view of the case, however
satisfactory to Faith, was not reassuring
to her father, suggesting as it did the
idea OF his precious package having gone
to feed the snipes.
" I guess I'll harness up Dobbin and
go down to Oldport, said he.
His first call was at Tom Penhallow's
shop, where small boy informed him
that "Tom had gone off somewhere, he
didn't know where"
This seemed to confirm the snipe-
shooting theory, so he drove at leis-
urely pace to the Widow Penhallow's {;
but there he heard news which plunged
him into the deepest anxiety.
David had not passed the night there,
nor had he been at the house at all.
More than that, she felt quite sure her
son had not seen him, as he said nothing
of it when he came home from the shop,
which was at the usual time, and he had
started early in the morning for Boston
to purchase goods.
With heavy heart Mr.. Golden went
to the bank. .i
David had called at three o'clock on
the preceding afternoon, presented his
fathers order, and received the package.
That was all they knew of the matter at
the bank.
He also traced him to the watch
makers, and two or three persons re.
seeing him in the street
either yesterday or the day before, they
were not certain which.
And this was all that Mr.. Golden
could learn after the most careful in
quiries.
Years passed away. The disappear
ance of David Golden had become an old
story, and the excitement which at first
it had long since died out.
That he was robbed and murdered
was the belief of his own family; but
this belief was not shared by the com.
munity at large, for not the slightest
proof could be found in support of it,
inasmuch as his body was never recov-
cred, nor any trace of the notes in his
possession ever found.
The most plausible theory seemed to
be that the money had proved too great
a temptation, and he had fed with it to
parts unknown; and this was the theory
generally received.
What gave color to this view Of the
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