The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1881-11-25


In few minutes she came out.
"There is thy coat, friend, as good as
new it was only ripped in the seam, not
torn, and-On dear There is that vexa-
tious Crumple in the garden again.
got into an inclosure not meant for
browsing ground, and volunteered to. get
her out. 1t did not prove an easy job,
however; and by the tint. he had man
aged to overcome her dodges and man
euvres, 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 telling them
all about the fight. AS he came forward
to reclaim his mended coat. Mahlon Sta
cey met him with beaming counten-
ance.
"Thee has placed me under obligation
again, friend Paul" he said. II hear
thee was Obliged to resort to force. 1t
is against the principles of Friends. but
since thee had to do it, Tm glad to learn
thee did it.well. A big man, too, for ]
| think the one we met with blood on MS
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'of.
"Stay, friend" cried the farmer. III
thee won't have compensation for thy
service the'll at least grant us another
favor, and take supper with u.s."
The young man hesitated, but Planc-
ing at the women, said: 81 am not in
fit condition for the table; II
"If that's ALL" eagerly rejoined Nah
lon, "we can arrange that. Come with
me-" And the young man was speedily
ushered into chamber, where his host
gave him shaving materials, and left
him to hear more definite particulars
about the encounter, in which, like many
men of peaceful habits, he took deep
interest.
At the snpper 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 in plain and
lucid way that showed he kept his eyes
open while he was trlmping.
After supper Mahlon Stacey and John
! Paul sat on the veranda while the wo-
men folks were clearing the table, and
the former after two or three prellml-
nary hens, spoke his mind.
1.-The was looking for work, perhaps
| friend"
"No. can't say that | was
"Thee would take a job if thee could
get one, maybe"
"That depends on what it is"
| "Can thee NOW P'
| 1. oha
face. "Not verv WE'LL" he said, Il die
learn how to swing scythe once-Wher
I-when / was on farm for month II
the hay season but / am not an exper'
mower" =.
"That might come by practice" re
ioined the farmer. "9ou see, my mar
was obliged to leave me before the hay
was all make; and when | met thee
was going after some one to take MI
place, and did not succeed. Thee nigh
be of help if thee would, and l woult
give thee fair wages"
"Well. sir, it is new business for me
but I'll do the best l can for you till yoI
can do better and as for the wages, wei
not differ on that"
"Then tbeell stay here, and we'll tack
lie the south field tomorrow" exclaime,
/ the farmer, joyously.. Naomi, thee'l
s-.et a room ready for friend faul. ne
going 10 help with the nay.
So John took Mahlon Stacy, or, as n
put it to himself that night, I'm hire'
to Rachels uncle" and he laughed at IN
sa ne time as ihough it were the 1unnl
est thing possible. :. ,uo
The hay y-making was over IN thre
davs. but John, as they all ca'led mn
now, remained. He evidently knew yer
little about farming, but took teachlh
kindly. He developed great know
edge of horses, their needs and WantS
and altogether Mahlon was satisfied W.T.
his raw hand. The fourth day it ralne
so that outdoor work was stopped. IN
farmer and John sat in the kitchen, tn
farmer in rather downcast mood. ION!
watched Rachel's motions for some Time
as she moved about gracefully, and thel
took a book which stood upon the shell
and began reading. Mahlon smile
grimly. :1 o.hou
;s NO Cross, No Crownt and barclay
'Apology' in the sitting-room. Ihat Is
foolish book of poetry that Rachel d'
lights in But it can do no one any goo'
II is funny in parts, though"
, It was Hoods poems.
/ "Some of this is by no means funny,
said John, "the Bridge of Signs" for IL
J stance"
t Il don't remember. Will thee read
out?" =,
John read the poem, and in way thi
t no one there had heard-read it wit
feeling and force.
E "Thee reads remarkably well, John
said Mahlon. s,
{ "poor creature ~ said Naomi. She r.
3 terred to the heroine, and not to John.
l Rachel said nothing, but her eyes wei
Y full of tears.
E On Saturday John got two hours lea,
l of absence, and returned with bundl
, which he carried to his room. The ne!
: day he came down to breakfast in ne
e light suit. Mahlon made no comment
/ Int after breakfast asked John II Il
e would 90 to.,he Friends meeting or
!. some other place of worship, or wou
he stav at home. "We go to meeting,
n course : but Rachel's father was 'Pisc
nal and Rachel goes there. Then there
the Methodists and Presbyterians."
e Il shall go to the Episcopal church
o said John. =,
/, "Ahl Well, we drop Rachel at II
cross-road always, and thee can get o'
G there"
So John walked from the getting-o
O nIace TO the church, which was mi
a sionary chapel, where the rector OF
: adjoining parish gave service every
S ternate Sunday. There were few atten
ants, and the coming of tine-lookir
K Young man made sensation. WIT
If service was over, however, and they
came out some one whispered that Il
II new conner was "Mahlon Stacy's hir'
man" and the sensation died out.
d Absalom Browning was waiting in
buggy. -, p.oho, ~
% asked.
l. "Thank thee. no, Absalom. came
the carry-all with uncle and aunt al
e they'll stop for me at the corner.
II Absalom walked alongside, howey'
10 leading his horse and talking TO kach
n and John fell behind. When they cal
II to the corner, Mahlon aud his wife we
a already there, and Ahsalom renewed
d request Rachel made no demur,
10 Naomi said it would relieve their hoi
d. with one less in. John smiled 10 MI
re self The aunt favored the courting'
II, The summer months came ana WEI
ht Absalom Browning cane and went on
is a week, and sometimes twice, and Jol
IS Paul remained on the farm. He gr'
at to be a favorite, and his activity a
If physical strength, with his great goI
o. nature. made him popular with t
young men around. Absalom did 7
n like him. however. With Rachel he I
along famously. She had been his frie
I from the first. never forgetting his opp
es tune championship. Then he reat
!" 50 beautifully. and was full of tales OF
r venture. for. according to his own
Du count. he had travelled a great deal.
his wanderings he had picked up a d.
". Of knowledge, too, ss leaked out bit
la r = 4. .-a.F.A Z