Weekly Chillicothe crisis., 1885-05-28
IN A HOLLOW ELM.

Inc morning tram, with great
rattle and much snorting and pulling
from the locomotive, skrted tho low
or end of the little New England vii
lage of Middleton, and finally, with
whcezy sigh, as though from exbans-
tion, came to q standstll opposite the
red, boX-like structure digniiied with
the name of depot.
One passenger alightcd and after
sundry preliminary pulls and snorts,
the train continued on its course.
None among the little throng of
oilers on the station platform recog-
nized the new conner, who was rather
shabbily dressed, with Il cOnsumptive
stoop to his shoulders and 4 pale,
clear-cut face, lighted by two large
black eyes, which, from their dreamy
expression, seemed to be gazing upon
some scene far away.
Guess he's book peddlor," said
old Isaiah Butteriield, the village ora
Gle, shading his eyes with his hand
and gazing after the stranger. "Yes,
| know he is, for he's turnin' into
Squire Merriman's gate. Coin to git
him as a subscriber fust, as 4 sort of a
recommend, an then tackle the rest
of the village"
Esquire Jacob Merriman was tho
village magnate, and lived IN the fin
est house in town.
The supposed book peddler walked
slowly up the straight gravel path
leading to the front door, and rang
the bell.
After quite a long wait during which
blind was cautiously opened at an
upper window and a pair of bright
eyes surveyed the visitor, the door
was opened by servant girl who had
evidently just come from the wash
tub, Judging from the red, perspiring
face and steaming, parboiled arms,
which were barred above the elbows.
"Sure, we want nothin to-dayw
cried the girl, with an angry toss Of
her head, and she was about to close
the door.
"a beg your pardon" said the visi-
tor. stepping into the hall. "IS Miss
Kate at home?"
"That she is, sir"
take her my card, please" con-
tinued the caller.
And thrusting his hand into an in
ner pocket, ho drew therefrom
shabby wallet, and handed the girl
card, on which was written, in bold
characters, the name;
John KENT"
The girl took the card by one cor.
ner, with the tips of her thumb and
finger, and bidding the gentleman be
seated in the hall, disappeared.
In a few minutes she returned, and
with saucy pertness delivered her
message.
Sure, Miss Kate says she's not at
home to the loikcs of you."
"Ah!" murmered Kent, and his pale
face flushed.
He did not stop to expostulato or
make further inquiries concerning this
strange message, but walked through
the door, which the girl held opea for
him, and slammed shut, with & bang,
as soon as his feet touched the
porch, with his shoulders more stopped
than when he entered.
al might have expected this" he
muttcred, between the house and the
gate.
And another weary sigh escaped
him.
He stopped minute on the side
walk, and, after looking up and down
the street, walked toward the left, and
short distance from the house turned
down another street which led by the
town hall and the two meeting houses,
the blacksmith shop, and the grave
yard across the railroad, and tho mar
row little River Ipswich, and on out
into the country.
I'll take one last look at the farm"
he said, when he reached the bridge,
and paused for moment to gaze down
into the tumbling water, land then go
back to the old life of toll, and hunger,
and want"
He heard the sound of approaching
wheels, and raised his eyes.
A little wagon, drawn by stout
pony, whose driver was rosy checked,
curly-headed young lady, not over
twenty years Of age, was rapidly ap-
proching, and at sight of the pony and
driver his cheek again flushed, and
glad smile of recognition wroathed his
thin lips.
The pony slackened his pace as he
neared the bridge, and John Kent
raised his hat to the curly-headed
driver. e..
"Good morning, Miss Osbornew he
said.
And the pony stopped sholt.
"Well, / declare!' cried ella Os-
borne, in clear, ringing voice. Its
John Kent, come back to old Middle
toni"
The young man smiled sadly.
YES" 1t is t." he said. "I'm
going to take a last look at the old
farm"
"And where have you been
all these years since your Uncle
Sam diedp" trn
"In the West" he answered, with
on ambiguous wave OF the hand in that
direction.
"And you didn't make your for
tunep"
"Noi ! came Jack poorer than when
went away