Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-08-27

ready. It's headed up, too he he Hoop
ed up and headed up you're all right yes
you're all right"
And he smiled again, a smile that he SEEM
ed to think was full of comfort for his listen
or. The General looked at him earnestly and
n little shadow of anxiety crept over his an
swering smile.
"You understand, Mr. Tilden," he snid
presently that need your advice and friend
ly counsel"
The old man bowed again. The General
looked up more hopefully, and went on:
'You see what / am trying to get at"
'Yes, yes chuckles the old man, eagerly
81 know that's what they're all trying to get
at yes yes they're all trying TO get at it.
Oh yes"
And in the pleasant mood which seemed to
have como upon him he made as though he
would have prodded the General in the ribs
with his bony forefnger, but suddenly drew
back. The General looked worried, but re-
turned to the charge with patient good ma
turo.
~ don't want to make any bungling work
at tho start, " he said, 'because-"
no no no, no interrupted the old man,
earnestly mo bungling this time you're
right there it's all right, never was bunged
up tighter a bung starter as big as a maui
wouldn't start it; oh yes, you're right there
no bungling this time"
Aud the General fairly started, for as he
listened, he thought he heard the old man
whisper, under his breath, ns a sort Of appen-
dix, mot a darned bungle." He set his teeth
hard, and looked in the old mans half.closed
eyes.
"Nr. Tilden," he said, II will be frank and
open with you"
"Open p said the old man, with nn inter-
rogaton point in his face. ooh, no, no.
Hoped up. Didn't you say hoop her up.
and didn't tell you yes, it was hooped up?
Aud headed, too ? Oh no, not open No.
not open. N-n-o-t-t Open. Oh no." he add
ed with grave and earnest delberation.
And then he looked at the General as
though he didn't exactly understand him.
The cold perspration stood out on the Gen
erals brow in beaded Drops.
Mr.. Tilden," be said earnestly, listen to
NE. You cannot, you must not misappre-
hend me Do not stop me hear me through
You cannot delay or nyert the inevitable you
cannot stave OF"
No." the old man said with startling
promptness and discouragng energy. mo,
that's SO. You're right there again. Not u
stave of. Tight as a drum" And he re-
peated, with comfortable junction, Tight rs
a drum tight as a drum. Not hoop loose
or a stave off"
The General turned uneasily in his chair
and barely ropresscd groan. As it was, he
sighed, and with an appealing glance into the
old mans eyes, he said
This increases my fears and doubles my
responsibilities. This adds"
What adze = asked the old man quickly
and with a suspicious glance at the Generals
side pocket, as though he feared a concealed
weapon or n mechanical instrument. What
adze = he repeated in apparent alarm.
n t,,. 4 -,
rubbing his hat the wrong way. As he stood
near the door, he said
Il will leave you now. / will call again,
and may not trust that on another occasion
you will listen to me more intelligently and
enter more zoalously into my plans May l
not hope, on"
Mo- the old man said, with mild empha-
sis, you may open nothing here; not even
a watermelon not a postal card. l have no
time. have a client who is"
He was suddenly silent, for he was alone
Down the darkening street he saw the mag
nifcent outlines of u subcrb figure, clad in
the splendid uniform of the senior Major
General of the United States Army. The su-
perb figure was thrashing the air with its
splendid arms, and now and then wildly kick
ing tree box with its magnificent legs. The
Pickering street lamps shone on n handsome
face conyulsed with variety of emotions
among which Hat footed wrath was proml-
nent The old man could not hear distinctly
the remarks that fell from the finely chiselled
lips, but now and then the breeze of the
summer night waited back faint echoes of
reservation profanity and foot-hill objurga-
tions and West Point eXpletves.
The old man checked a sigh and turned it
into a smile.
He l,anod forward to gaze at the disappear
ing tableau, and listened for further remarks
But solitude reignod in the street and only
silence Knocked his listening ears with voice
less quiet.
The Superb was gone.