Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-04-16

There, what did L tell your crleO
the husband. Haven't / ben a-saying
and a-saying all day that likely as not
this scare would turn out all for moth
ingP And you wouldn't listen to a
word, but just kept on to that poor
thing inside there, and she's nothing to
blame all the time. declare, it's too
bad the way women act to each other
and folks calling them the softer sexw
A man would be ashamed to be so hard.
Well, do tell and so the money was
a-lying. there in the dust all the time!
Well. I'm mighty glad, for your sake
and ours too. Go right in, sir, and wife
III give you some supper. I'll see to the
horse
Mrs. Nash waited on the meal in
grim silence. She seemed only half re-
Joiced at the denouement.
It's mis- hty queer she remarked, as
she set the last dish on the table. Il
don't feel as il we'd got &c ne bottom of
it yet. Why didn't Lucy deny more
positivep
But she did, said John, between
two mouthfuls; she said she hadn't
got it,
WHY, course she said as much as
that. You didn't expect her ( say that
she had got it, did youP' reioined the
landlady, with fine scorn. But she
didn't speak up violent and bold, as
you'd expect an innocent girl would
But she was innocent all the time.
you know
1 amt so over sure about that, re-
piled Mrs. Nash, with a shake of her
head. It's queer business
Hurrying out to the barn next morn
ing in the best of spirits, low signing
sob called Johns attention to a bench
outside the kitchen door, where sat a
figure crumpled up into forlorn little
heap, in which he recognized the pretty
maid of the day before. She wore her
bonnet, and bundle lay beside her.
Her face was hidden on her arms,
which were crossed ON the back of the
bench.
why, what's the matter p said John,
turning back.
The girl looked up with start. Il
beg your pardon she faltered. 'I'm
just going. didn't mean to stay so
long,
Going? Where?'
L don't know where she said, de-
jectedly. I'D try for another place,
only there doesn't seem much chance
of getting one withou: any recon-
mend
DO you mean to say that they are
sending you away from hereP'
Yes
But, in the name of goodness, whyP
L don't know. Mrs. Nash says she
don't like to have servants about who
are suspected of stealing The blue
eyes filled again as she spoke, and she
hid her face.
BY George! never heard of such
Injustice in my life,' shouted John.
{ Now, Lucy, if that's your name, you
lust sit still where you are Don't stir
or move till | come back. III see Mrs.
Nash. I'll put thin gs right
To out things right seems easy enough
to q trong, hearty man, with justice
and argument on his side, but that is
because he docs not calculate properly
on those queer bitches and crotchets of
human nature, especially woman nature,
which have no relation to justice and
fair dealing, and are unaffected by ar
gument Mrs. Nash proved impervious
to Johns choicest appeals. Her mind
was made up; she didn't wart to bear
no more on the subject ) finally, her
temper rising, what business was it of
his, she demanded, what help she kept,
OF if she kept any help at allP He'd got
his pocketbook back; accounts were
squared between them; there was no
further call, so far as she could see, why
he should meddle with her concerns.
The upshot of the interview was that
John flew out of the kitchen with his
face as red as fire, tackled his horses,
threw valise and feed-bag into the
wagon, flung the amount of his reckon
ing on the table, and addressing Lucy,
who, pale and terrified, stood, bundle in
hand, prepared for flight. called out:
Now, then, my good girl you've lost
one place by my fault, and Pm blamed
if don't offer you another. Will you
jump into my wagon and go home with
me? My old woman's been talking this
long piece back of getting smart girl
to help along when she's laid up with
the rheumatics; so you're just the one
we want She'll treat you fairly
enough, I'll be bound, and you shall
have whatever you were getting here.
And if you behave yourself you'll be
well used. not turned out of doors for
nothing, I'll engage to that; it isn't the
way up in are parts with a vindictive
look at the landlady, who stood rigidly
planted in the doorway. I'VE don't set
up to be extra Christians, but there's a
little honesty and decency left among
us, which is more than can be said fof
all places. Well, what do you say? Yes
OF no. There's my hand on it if it's
yes
He held out his broad palm. Lucy
hesitated, but for moment only.
Yes, I will, she said. I've nowhere
else to go, and you seem kind
Another moment and they were driv.
ing off together down the maple-shaded
road, whose yellow and crimson boughs
danced overhead against October
bright blue weather There were peace
and calming in the fresh stiffness OF the
early day. Gradually a little color stole
into Lucy's pale cheeks, and Johns ho
mood gave place to wonted good humol
and cheer.
you've had no breakfast, I'll bet,' HI
said, with smile. And no more have
I. was so mad with that woman tina
I couldn't swallow mouthful, but now
I begin to feel sharp enough. Wer
stop at the next tavern. Southwick
isn't itp Five miles and halt. Cal
you hold out till thenp'
'Oh, yes, indeed, with grateful lool
out of the blue eyes.
Johns tone grew more and mort
friendly.
'We'll have something hot and heart,
there he said. You look pale.
guess you didn't sleep any too much las
night
'Oh, I couldn't sleep at all. Mrs
Nash told me that l must go the frs
thing in the morning, and felt S,
badly
l shouldn't think you would want t,
stay with d woman like that
But it's so dreadful to have nowher
to 90 to. And besides She stoppe,
abruptly, with a look like terror in he