St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-12-09

browsing ground, and volunteered to
get her out. 1t did not prove an easy
job, however; and by the time he had
managed to overcome her dOdges and
maneuvres, and finally got the brute
safely into the barn-yard, he saw the
farmer and his wife drive in, and knew
from her manner that Rachel was tell
ing them all about the fight. AS he
came forward to reclaim his mended
coat, MahlOn Stacey met him with a
beaming cOuntenance.
Thee has placed me under obliga-
ton again, friend Paul." he said. 81
hear thee was obliged to resort to force.
1t is against the principles of friends,
but since thee had to do it, Pm glad to
learn thee did it well. A big man,
too, for | think the one we met with
blood on his face was the one thee dealt
with"
"There was no trouble in handling
him, sir. The matter is not worth
speaking of. l am only too glad to
have been of service to the young lady"
With these words he moved off.
"Stay, friend" cried the farmer. eff
thee won't have compensation for thy
service, thee'll at least grant us another
favor, and take supper with u.s.
The young man hesitated, but glanc-
ing at the women, said: 81 am not in
fit condition for the table /"
''If that's ALL" eagerly rejOined Nah
Ion, ''we can arrange that. Come with
me-" And the young man was speedl-
ly ushered into chamber, where his
host gave him shaving materials, and
left him to hear more definite particu-
lars about the encounter, in which, like
many men of peaceful habits, he took
deep interest.
At the supper table, John Paul, in
evading minute inquiry, let them know
that he lived in New York when at
home, and gave them some account of
the metropolis, of which they had
heard, but never seen, and did it i'll "A
plain and lucid way that showed he
kept his eyes open while he was tramp
ing.
After supper Mahlon Stacey and
John Paul sat on the veranda while
the women folks were clearing the ta-
BILE, and the former, after two or three
preliminary hens, spoke his mind.
''Thee was looking for work, per
haps, friend"
"No, | can't say that | was
"Thee would take job if thee could
get one, maybe"
"That depends on what it is"
"Can thee NOW ~
A smile broke over the young mans
face. 'Not very WE'LL" he said. 81 did
learn how to swing a scythe once
when when l was on a farm for a
month in the hay season but | am not
an expert mower"
"That might come by practice" re-
Joined the farmer. "YOu see, my man
was obliged to leave me before the hay
was all made and when | met thee
was going after some one to take his
place, and did not succeed. Thee
might be of help if thee would, and |
would give thee fair wages"
"Well, sir, it is new business for me !;
but I'll do the best can for yOu till
you can do better and as for the wag-
es, Wen not differ on that"
'"Then thee'll stay here, and We'll
tackle the south field Tomorrow" ex-
claimed the farmer, jOyously. "NaOmi,
thee'n get room ready for friend Paul.
He's going to help with the hay"
So John took MahlOn Stacey, or, as
he put it to himself that night, "I'm
hired to RachePs uncle" and he laugh
ed at the same time as though 1t were
the funniest thing possible.
The haymaking was over III three
days, but John, as they all called him
now, remained. He evidently knew
very little about farming, but took
teaching kindly. He developed great
knowledge of horses, their needs and
wants, and altogether MahlOn was sat
isfied with his raw hand. The fourth
day it rained so that outdoor work
was stopped. The farmer and John
sat in the kitchen, the farmer in 8
rather downcast mood. John watched
Rachel's motions for some time, as sht
moved about gracefully, and then tool
book which stood upon the shelf, and
began reading. Mahlon smiled grimly
''If thee likes to read" he said
''there is NO Cross, No Crown anC
Barclays Apology in the sitting
room. That is foolish book of poe
try that Rachel delights in. But it cal
do no one any good. 1t is funny il
parts, though"
1t was Hoods poems.
"SOme of this is by no means funny,
said John, "the Bridge of Sighs," TO
. instance"
~ don't remember. VIII thee rea'
, it out ?'
John read the poem, and i'll a wa.
that no one there had heard-read
with feeling and force.
: "Thee reads remarkably well, John,
said Mahlon.
| "Poor creature ~ said Naomi. Sh
referred to the heroine, and not t
John.
Rachel said nothing, but her eye
were full of tears.
;. On Saturday John got two hour
$ leave of absence, and returned with
l.. bundle, which he carried to his rOen
4 The next day he came down to break
h fast in a new light suit. Mahlon mad
e no comments, but after breakfast aske
e John if he would go to the Friend
u meeting or to some other place of wOl
}, ship, or would he stay at home. "W
: 90 to meeting, of course but Rachel
: father was Episcopal, and Rachel gOe
It there. Then there's the Methodist
Y and Presbyterians."
d ~ shall go to the Episcopal church
e said John.
l. "Ah! Well, we drop Rachel at I'll
d crossrOad always, and thee can gt
% out there"
e So John walked from the getting-ol
n place to the church, which was mil
/ sionary chapel, where the rector of a
adjoining parish gave service ever
Y alternate Sunday. There were few a
tendants, and the coming of a fin'
l looking young man made a sensation
1t When service was over, however, an
+, they all came out, some one whispere
N that the new conner was "MahlOn st.
NJ nj, hirad man y and the sansatinn dif