The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-08-11


think Seth Was such - fool
Jest 30. said Graadpa Billin's, placidly
lie never .wore himself; but be felt. per
hsps. that the eternal fitness OF things do
manded strong language from somebody
ior he pst,ed his cane softly and repeated
| say iest 50 10 that every time. Bu, vhc
viii carry the mailg
Dunno. said Uncle Cephss, the regari'
Of the whole company forcing ont the
morlifying confession. ! heard seth say
that; but hain't hserd no more.
/ But Uncle Cephas, well as the rest OF
the village, knew before the month oi
December was out that Uncle Sam had Gb'
solutely refused to raise Seth Plunkett's
salary; also that another stage was about
TO be put on the road, which would con.
yey the United States mail and would also
carry passengers.
Can't neither on 'em pay, said the Judge
in the silence which followed this an
nouncement. when nrt made BY Banty at
the post-oflcs. Neither on en- won't pay
bnt the fellsr that takes the mail will get
the best ont fur he's got sunthin', sure,
and Seth's got bis team TO keep, an all
that Mark my words, boys, Seth'll have
to 90 TO the wall
1t was aiterward recalled that ut this
point Pelt Cressy looked uncommonly So
Der. The fact was that Pelt was one Of
the best drivers in the section, and had
Just had offered him by an influential
friend Of his in neighbonng town--who,
however, knew nothing of the internal
complications OF Pelt's aiiairs-the chance
to run the new stage between Selborn and
Clesrpond.
Pelt was trying hard to get money
enough together to marry Hetty Plunkett.
He had pair Of horses, which he had
raised from colts, and he had been team
ing il" for year back; but what he could
make in that way was very little, cempar-
ed with the profits Of the stage.
tn make Seth mad o course, be reason
ed as he walked toward the post-ofilce,
the evening after the foregoing conversa-
tion; but Strengthening up defantly, he.
can team it. He's got better chance
than ] have. Somebody's got to take the
mail II might as well be me. I'll go
right over and see Hsttie about it now.
he continued turning toward Seth Punk
ett's cottage. It's got to be settled to.
night. and she can settle it.
Hettie was doubtful and finally fearful;
but she was at last persuaded by her lover
that Seth, finding it impossible TO COM
pete with the government, would soon re-
tire, more or less good naturedly, feeling
that the gain was coming to the family
anyhow, and that he would make almost
as good living at teaming.
Well, said the yielding girl at last,
wishing sadly that her dead mother was
near to counsel her, you decide it. Pelt;
and, il you take the stage, aud father is
angry and won't let you come here well
love each other just the same.
During the second week in January q
grand sensation shook Clearpond to its
foundations. Pelt Cressy's horses were to
draw the new stage, and Pelt himself was
to drive them.
The first night after the new movement
was inaugurated Seth Pluukett's coach
reached the post-oifice first He stopped
and settled with Banty for some triHing
errands which he had done q. Selborn, but
his dark looks and irritated manner show
ed that he was in savage mood. The
mail was what they were waiting for there
and the one who brought it was the man
Of the hour. Seth Plunkett felt that he
was discrowned and dishonored, and be-
fore he went to bed that night he made o
solemn vow that Pelt Cressy should never
have his daughter.
Hes q scoundrel said Seth Plunkett,
between his set teeth. He's used me
mean, and III have none Of hml
This feeling grew day by day, as the
stages passed each other on the road or
paused at the halfway house together
Then the feud began to extend. The
aides who went to Selborn to shop rode
Nth the one whose canse they happened
o espouse, and, as Seth though by no
ncans a protesting ChristisS,- non.inslsys-
lttended the Methodist church, while
aelt's family were Baptists. the lines be
wcen the two congregations marked pret-
y definitely the limits Of the factions.
Grandma Billin's stopped visiting Mrs.
'erkins the Deacon's wife, because the 1
after had ridden up the river with "that
assy Pelt Cressy;" the Judg, was no long I,
r on speaking terms with Banty; even {
he minister's wives ceased exchanging |
rienlly courtesies. The village Of Clear /
'ond was quite at sizes and sevens {
About this time slay preacher descend
d upon the village and the Methodists {
I
,ere soon in the midst Of = powerful re- q
ivsL The Bsptists held onfor awhile;
nut soon the ice began to thw, and by
fortnight after the first ''unon meeting" I
he two congregations had SC far forgot !
en their differences that they could wor.
hip together ferently and ignore the ]
t~sy T. a. tl.a.e 1.t ~ Al IL
rivers hurried their horses, so that they I
ould attend the meetings.
The night Of the twelfth Of Msr,h was I
be most fearful one that the vsllv had U
nown for years. The snow whid WAS :
onstantly falling intermingled witl hail, :
ihirled and dashed over the hilb aud
through the valley. The drifts were piled '
eep aud ii was bitter cold. A meeting ,