St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-06-24


with broad edging of lace, presented
n buXOm and not undignified dame of
the olden time.
"Come, mother, it's fine day, and
you're the looking of us all /;
Wen walk to meeting" saying which,
Mr.. Fisher gave his arm to his wife.
and they walked out she not fully
comprehending the state of the case.
Mrs. Fisher naturally hesitated when
she observed the chaise ready tackled,
and saw Susan come out i'll her new
smart ribbons and handed into it by
John.
"Never you mind, Debby DEAR
whispered Mr.. Fisher, tendcrly, in his
wife's ear "this little walk you and |
have taken many the time" and they
went on, the ncighbors giving them
genial "good-days," while John and
Susan dashed by in the nice chaise with
the handsome horse.
Mrs. Fisher stepped her lightest and
looked her loftiest that bright day.
She pressed the arm of JOhnathan
kindly, for a sOrrOwful misgiving made
her to fear his wits were giving way,
and she, the true wife, would not veX
or annoy him in his hour of weakness,
let what would come of it. People
stared, as they well might, but Susan
sent back triumphant mods and smiles,
and John laughed with imbecile good
nature. Reaching the meeting-hOuse
Susan took the head of the pew where
her mother in-law had hitherto sat, but
John did not venture upon this imper-
tinence to his sturdy father, and the
Il ,rlan.nS nf thn nnnnIn al II
not escape even his dull eyes.
CHATTER III.
Several weeks transpired, during
which the neighbors called frequently
upon Mrs. Fisher, and some few ven
tured upon II word of coincidence, which
she repressed by simply saying
"My good man is either sick or got a
bee in his head, which | can't make
out, so we won't talk about it,"
In the meanwhile, John, aided by
Susan, grew more self-assmed, and
now and then threw out hints about
the Greeley wOod-lot, IA valuable piece
of land sloping down to Il beautiful
brook. clear rs crystal, within which
many a speckled trout hid itself under
the fantastic roots of the overhanging
trees. 1t was the spot of all Others fol
IA rural church or school ol-house, and il
was well known that the present
owner had contemplated donating it tO
one or the Otherof these purposes. Susan
who was deficient in imagination, de-
clared it was just the spot for Il pretty
cottage, with garden sloping to tn,
brook.
The autumn was now come, with Its
clear, frosty October days SO lovely il
that northern climate, and John was
busy housing apples, and getting IL
the crops that ripcn late. Susan, the
brisk hOusekeeper, was on the aler
drying apples and spinning flax, count
ing the eggs and weighing out butter
and cheese for the market. Nothing Ii
more chcery than the harvest time of ;
good farmhouse.
A bright fire of beech-wOod tlame'
cracking up the great chimney, anC
the red bricks of the hearth were ii
free from stain as soap and water cOul'
make them. Mr.. Fisher sat in his hi:
arm chair twirling his thumbs, whil
his wife Piled her knitting needles Il
his side. Susan was making herself
new gown, her mouth puckered up II
resolute silence, while John sat i'll TIN
back room, his chair tilted up on tw'
legs, and his head against the wall,
perfect picture of boorish, sullen dis
content mt length he broke out with
81 don't see, father, what you wan
!, to give the Greeley wood-lot to tn
town tOr.'
"Wcll, John, we've been prOsperou
and are above board, so to say, and it
tI,,+ Il, H.
do something for them that'll com
after us for posterity."
''POsterity never did anything fo
u.s. muttered John.
Mr.. Fisher twirled his thumbs wit
: Il comical smile, and replied
r True, John, and yet | can't hcl
thinking of the third and fourth gencr
: alton with ii sort of love, ell ?"
81 don't care pinch of snuff fo
| pOsterity. Charity ought to begin a
home" answered John.
; $50 you want that lot, John, do you
= said his father, musingly. ''In tina
! case, John, may as well trust YOU t
| help on education, and make yOursel
: good name i'll your native town. L
= give YOU fair chance, I'm sure"
4 Mrs. Fisher laid down her knittin
| with look of despair, and Susan CAV
the fire vigorous punch that sent tn
t flames roaring up the big chimney.
E "Give me the deed, John ; it may q
| well be included all together"
D Pen, ink, and paper were spread O
the little round table and Mr.. Fish,
drew his chair in close proximity
a the fire. Opening the deed, he rca'
Il as he wrote on the face of the docI
e ment.
e "And | give in furthcrance of ii
above considerations, the piece of lane
| also, known as the Greeley woOd-lot,
/. have and to hold by him and his hei
II forever" etc.
John leaned against the Gimme!
o side while his father held the dOcumeI
s high up and read aloud.
z "Does that suit, my son ~ he asle
Exactly" answered both John N
e Susan in the same breath.
o Mr.. Fisher leaned forward IA trifi
= and dropped the deed into the hottie
q of the flame, saying, i'll a low voice ::
% ''The mares mine now, john"
II Susan sprang forward to rescue Il
=. precious document, but she burned h
:, hands to no purpose, while John tuIrn'
le white with rage. Mrs. Fisher was
Z discreet woman and she clicked Ii
1t needles in silence. Several minut
II interviewed, during which the tick
the old clock, the chirp of the crickC
y and the cracking of the beech WOE
1T sounded preternaturally loud.
1t length Mr.. Fisher spoke slowly III
'r sOlemnly:
p "JOhn, hope you are not so bad
ne you would seem to he, but you 10
er yourself and money better than trut
t kindness, or justice, and you've got