Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-02-09

hide chair reading a newspaper and
smoking a long pipe. He listened in
silence and with apparent indifference to
the story the ranchman told him.
"What is your name ?" he asked, ad-
dressing the old man.
"John Byrd, SIR
"Where are you from %
From Indiana"
"Ah Any family with you %
"My daughter, Mrs. Worsham, and
her child"
"Widow. l suppose"
"Her husband is dead, sir" patiently
replied Byrd, although he resented the
tone af these inquiries.
"First husband, or second ?"
"Mr. Worsham was her second hus-
band. She had been married to drunk
en-, worthless vagabond whom | was
compelled to drive away"
"Quite right, Mr.. Byrd-exactly.
What become of the vagabond ?"
81 don't know"
"Died, l suppose. 1t is of no conse-
quence what become of him. Then a
divorce followed 2''
Eyes, sir. | insisted upon divorce
against my daughters wish, she married
Mr.. Worsham, a well-to-do man. But
bad luck fastened upon us and never let
90. Mr.. Worsham died insolvent, and
one reverse after another swept my little
property away and | was forced to come
out here to begin life again. 1t is a
hard task, sir, for an old man."
81 should say so. You ought to have
remained among your friends. What
boy is that p
My grandson" family replied Byrd,
who was weary of this style of question
ing.
'Son of the vagabond, or of Worsh-
am q
"Albert is the son of my daughter
first husband.
81 have taken fancy to him. You
want home, and will tell you what !
will do. Give me that boy and l will
give you a fine ranch, we'll stocked, with
everything you need to make you com.
Portable. Is it a bargain ?"
'Do you expect me to trade off my
daughters child ?" Indignantly demand
ed Byrd.
81 forgot about her. Of course sht
has an interest in him. Suppose yo,
ask her. She ought to be willing to &C
cept comfortable home for life. wher
she knows that the boy will be provided
for"
al will bring her here if you wish
"No; 1 don't want to see any womel
folks. Ask her and bring me word"
81 will ask her." replied the old man
"but l know what her answer will be.
John Byrd soon returned and informed
General Chance that Mrs. Worsham ha,
refused to accept his offer, declaring tha
she would rather die than be parted fror
her boy.
|
"Very well.' said the gentleman
''That is all l have to say to you. Yo
may co.
John Byrd sadly left the house, an
its owner signaled to the ranchman
remain.
"Mr. Whips" said he. 81 wish 20
would follow that old man. Take hiI
and his family down to Killers ranch
: which is vacant, and settle them there
Supply them with stock, provisions. an
everything they need to make them con
, Portable, and let me know if money
! needed"
30 John Byrd and his little famll,
greatly to their surprise, we're settle
and made more than comfortable.
There was nothing to trouble thel
but the uncertainty of their tenure and
: fear that another direction might be tai
en- by the peculiar disposition of the
strange benefactor, who would not allo
Mrs. Worsham to come near his hous
: saying that he .'didn't want to see an
women folks"
, He only endured her father but W;
5 very friendly to the boy. whom he pr
: sented him with fine pony and saddl
For his own part he seemed determine
, J not to show his face at the Hitler rancl