Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-05-05

wouldn't, Llz'beth-there's plenty
you see, more than We want" advised
Mr. Wllkin, urgently, but rather laco'
herently, Then he caught mp his hat
and started for tho barn.
Ms. Wilkin looked after him with
plying dlsapproyal.
"When you've more than yon want
yourself, leave II handy Tor somebody
to steal. Well, that's q new CON-
mandment, ! do declare" she said
"Not 90 dreadful new, either, Aunt
Liz'beth," interposed Tim, sloutly
"cause tho Bible folks are told to
leave some of their harvest no the
poor could come and get 1t, ] read II
myself only 1t wasn't called stealing
then, and was to be left handler than
all slowed away in smoke'houses''
"Timothy," began Mrs, Wilkin'
But Tim suddenly remembered that
the chickens were waiting Tor break
last, aud chose to interpret tho cxcla'
nation as an admonition in that direc'
ton.
"Yes'm, I'm goin' to feed EN- right
away" he observed, seizlng a basket
of corn and darling through the door
by which his uncle had departed,
In truth it was not altogether easy
to mould Tim to the desired shape
there was too much individuality
about him. Encasing him in Mrs
wilkins code of manners was putting
too large n boy into too smal! jack
ct; he was always bursting out ut the
elbows, or tearing of the buttons
Mrs. Wilkin isighcd at this new evil
dence of the number OF things in tho
world that needed her attention; but
England never expected every man to
do his duty more strongly than Mrs.
Wilkin expected to do hers
That evening the mysterious lights
appeared again in the store room Of
the mill. She could plainly see them,
for just beyond her own back gate an
open field sloped directly and steeply
down to the building. The road at
forded a public and more circuitous
mode Of reaching it, but from the
hilltop the suspicious storo'room was
directly in range. Mrs. Wllkin de-
termincd to take u more thorough Oh
servation than the kitchen window
allowed, and throwing n shawl over
her head she picked her way carefully
down tie icy steps and crossed the
yard to the gate. The snowy field
lay white and glisteniug in the moon
light, and standing in the shelterlng
shadow of a post she watched the
door below.
Before she discovered any one en-
tering there she heard SQUADS in an
other direction steps in the yard be-
hind her. What if she should prove
beyond all doubt that her meat was
stolen and detect the thief? With
that quick thought she turned her
head cautiously. Yes, some one tried
the smoke-house door and entered
Brcathlessly Mrs. Wilkin waited until
the figure reappeared, passing along
in the shade OF the house, and as il
emerged into the clear moonlight she
leaned eagerly forward to catch full
sight Of it. It was eagerly recognized
Mr.. Wilkin, beyond all question,
stealing meat from his own stores.
The revelation was astounding. In
her astonishment she ipcautiousIy
loosed her hold on the gate-post, took
a s9ep forward and her foot slipped or
the treacherous ground. She sat dowr
violently, and in an instant she was
speeding rapidly down the hill TOWARD
her original point OF investigation.
For once the path of duty wai
smooth before her-entirely toe
smooth and icy. She could not check
or guide her progress; her feet struck
with force against the mysterious
door, pushed 1t open and she slid into
q hall.
Thieves, gamblers, or whoever they
were, she must not be discovered by
them, flashed through Mrs. Wilkins
mind-more an instinct Of self-pres
ervation than a thought-and spring
ing to her feet she slipped behint
some boxes piled near her. The noise
attracted attention, aud in moment
the store-room was opened, and n boy
looked out.
"Guess it's only the door blew
open; don't catch good" he reported
."Lock it then, James, and ther
bring in the key" said voice from
within; and to Mrs. wilkins conster'
Iii. .bo o.Jar ,uoo nhavnd uud abs