News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-20

that I hadn't quite as thick board a,
the others. I never failed in such 6
way before, but it may be a good lesson.
have to plain. the top some; and GET
things plumb; it's particular job, YOU
see; but my plank will glide into place
now in about half an hour; then I'll
come to the grove and join you. You'd
better not wait"
"You're great feller to stick to work
on the great cock-a-dDodle-doo-day of
all the year." said VIII Gobright; ffbut
wen hyper along, and don't you fail to
skip the minute you insert yonder mo-
sale. say, fellers," said the lively boy,
shows that for gentleman Who has
failed as yet to visit Florence OF 10 study
the gay art of the jewelry busin ssa',
There was some little more tanterinQ;
repeated injunctions to Phil to 'thdrfy
up" and the merry boys marched of,
the luncheon baskets dangling from
their hands.
Phil retired to the-4ack of the horse
again. Then great temptation seized
Mr.. .Wyncoop.. :.
"I declare, I'd like to try that boygi'
he said; ''it strikes me he's downright
character, something such lad, per-
haps, as my boy might have been had
been allowed to train him. 1 suppose
sisters out, and the streets are deserted
it's mean, it would be centemptihie
but for my motive, but I absolutely
must test the lad. Strikes me he's true
blue. I'll make it all right somehow.
Nothing like defeat and disappointment
to try, q boys metal. Loyalty and
| patriotism are twin words in a true
mans vocabulary"
He was bustling about as he talked
excitedly to himself, and, having taken
two sharp razors from bis shaving -easa;
be went t5 the front door and looked
cautiously around. There was no one
in sight. He slipped with astonishing
agility across the street, and, with the
vigorous rasping of the saw ip his ears,
which was fast preparing the corner
plank, be stopped and sliced carefully
piece after piece from the exposed edge
of the next plank. The keen edge of
the razor sent the shavings flying rapid
ly, as with deSter6us but silent strokes
the wood was deftly cut away. The
edge of each perfect razor was hacked
and spoiled, as, carefully gathering
every chip into his handkerchief, the
curious old man glided back to the
house and watched nerveusly the ar.
pearance of the boy he was '.'testinG;n
III less than five minutes he was fitting
the corner plank into its place Mr..
Wyncoop had not felt such thrill Of
excitement in years as he experienced
during the few moments that Phil stood
regarding the still unsatisfactory work.
Ali at once the boy drew his sleeve
across his eyes; then, with the old reso-
lutte air, he STOPPED, d1slodged, and re-
moved the ill-ftting plank and began
the measurements again.
"Well, it's haed," said the stern old
man at the window, grimly, yet pitying-
ly; "lessons in life are always hard to
the young, but if that great red haired
child pefsevefes, gives up hisxh0liday
sport if needs be, and finishes his par
ticular job in good shape, I'll make it
even with him. l will, if my names
Daniel Wyncoop."
The patient sound of the saw went on,
the measurements were repeated, and at
noon. perfectly fitting pldnk was driven
into Its place at the corner. The tools
were gatherediup; and as his sisters din
ner-bell rang, Mr.. Wyncoop saw Phil
walk away with deliberate steps in the
heat of the midday sun, and he knew he
had spoiled the holiday sport of one
faithful boy,
After dinnef Mr.. Wynco6p started out
for a stroll; His object was to find a
tall, red-haired, freckled boy, in a
checked blouse and poorly fitting pants;
but when he inquired of boy whom he
met where Phil Cushing lived, he an
swered rather rudely:
''He don't live nowhere In particular;
he's boardin' with Marin Price jist now,
but I guess he 9ives up to the burying-
ground bout as much as anywheres since
his mother went there"
''Poor boy" calculated the lame old
man, whose exploit of the morning was
exacting retribution in added stiffness
of the limbs; "I'll find him somewhere,
for | do believe he's the boy I've been
looking for ever since long before he was
born"
He found "Marm Price," who said
Phil Yves home to dinner, although she
didn't expect him; but he had since gone
out, she didn't know where. "And l
hated to ask him." she added, che
seemed so forlorn-hke. did think he
was going off with the ether boys to-
day, but he said he got belated and
couldn't walk the three miles in time. "
At the little burying- ground Mr.. Wyn-
coop found Phil, standing by his
mothers grave.
''You're not celebrating to-day, my
boy he said, kindly.
Phil choked up. The familiar ''my
boy" was almost too much for him just
then.
''No, SIR" he replied, simply; II
couldn't celebrate and obey her," and he
nodded toward the long grave.
''Ah! how was that I'm getting to
be an old man, but am easily interested
in boy of your age. l once had
little man of my own, but he slipped
away from my keeping, and there was
no return"
"Well, SIR" answered Phil, 'I was
curiously unfortunate about some work
had to do this morning; but when she"
another nod in the direction of the
mound which covered the remains of one
whose name it was still hard to speak.
''when she was parting from me she
begged me to perform every duty un-
dertook, whether little or great, in the
best manner possible; and, for her sake,
I mean to fight it out on that plan al
ways"
'My boyp-the strangers voice was
sharp and eager-''my boy, would you
90 with me to the great city of Chicago,
if I would make it an object for you to
do so 2"
Phil's eyes frightened for moment;
then he turned with so longing a look
toward the grave that great lump sud-
denly choked Daniel Wyncoop's utter
ance. At length he said, softly:
''You shall come back to this spot as
often as is necessary to keep it in good
order, | promise you.
''Thank you; l will go, SIR"
Then he added, hesitatingly:
Il suppose you have work for me to
do there2"
'No, my boy, 1 am going for the
present to put you at school"
Ten years later two gentlemen stood
outside an Office, over the door of which
a sign bore in gilt letters the name,
''Philip Cushing, Architect.
"You think Mr.. Cushing is the one to
plan and superintend the building for
me, do you2" asked one of the other,
anxiously. "You know enormous ex-
pense is involved in its erection"
Certainly, 1 do" was the prompt,
emphatic reply "And as to the expense
involved, it makes no difference whether
the expense be small or great, only the
best service will be rendered. but, let
me tell you one thing, you must allow
weeks, perhaps months, before expect