Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-11-09

continued the master cheerfully. Exact
~ like one of those-tn fact as If you
really were a child again"
That's so.' said Uncle Ben, rubbing
his hands delightedly; "thaps me Why,
that's jest what was saying to Roop" -
"Then you've already been talking
about it s'' interrupted the master in some
surprise 81 thought you wanted IL keep
secret ~
well, yes" responded Uncle Ben du
biously. "But you see | sorter agre ID
with ROop Filgee that If you took to my
ideas and didn't object I'd give him two
bitst every time he'd KEN here and help
me of an AFTERNOON when you was away
and kinder stand guard around the school
house, you know, so as to keep the fellows
off. Aud Roop's mighty sharp for boy,
ye know"
The master reflected moment and con
cluded that Uncle Ben WAS probably
right. Rupert Filgee, who was a hand
some boy of II, was also strong original
character whose youthful cynicism aud
blunt honest temper had always attract
ed him. lie was fair scholar, with Il
possibility of being q better one, and the
proposed arrangement with Uncle Ben
would not interfere with the discipline OF
school hours and might help them both
Nevertheless he asked good humoredly
but couldn't you do this more securely
and easily in your own house, | might
lend you the books, you know, and com
TO YOU twice p week ?"
Uncle Ben's radiant face suddenly
clouded at wouldn't be exactly the
same kind o. game TO me an Roop," he
said hesitatingly. you see thar's the
idea o. the school house, ye know, and
the restfulness and the quiet and the
gen raj air o. study And the boys around
town ez wouldn't think nothin' o.
trapsen' into my cabin if they spotted
what was up to thar, would never dream
o hunting me here.
every we'll" said the master, "let it be
here then. Observing that his companion
seemed to be struggling with an mar
ticulate gratitude and an apparent
ly ineXtricabe buckskin purse in his
pocket he added quietly, "l'll set you a
few copies to commence with, ana began
to lay out few unfinished examples of
Master Johnnie Filgee's scholastic
achievements.
After thanking yOu, Mr. Ford" said
Uncle Ben family, "ef you'll jest kinder
signify, you know, what you consider a
fairn--
Mr.. Ford turned quickly and dexterous,
ly offered his hand to his companion in
such manner that he was obliged to
withdraw his own from his pocket to
grasp it in return. You're very wei
come" said the MASTER" land AS ! can
only permit this sort of thing gratutous-
ly, you had better not let me know that
You propose giving anything even to Ru.
pert" He shook Uncle Ben's perplexed
hand again, briefly explained what he had
to do, and saying that he would now leave
him alone a few minutes, he took his hat
and walked toward the door.
Then, you reckon" said Uncle Ben
slowly, regarding the work before him,
that I'd better jest chuck them Dobell
fellers overheard ?"
81 certainly should" responded the
master with infinite gravity.
nd ul fy in 10 ,n1
them children -
Like child" nodded the master as be
left the porch.
A few moments later as he was finish
ing his cigar in the clearing he paused to
glance at the schoolroOm window. Uncle
Ben, stripped of his coat and waistcoat,
with his shirt sleeves rolled up on his
powerful arms, had evidently cast Dobell
and all misleading eXtraneous aid aside,
and with the perspiration standing out on
his foolish forehead, and his perpleXed
face close to the masters desk, was pain
fully cropping along toward the light in
the tottering and devious tracks of Mas
johnnie Fllgee, like very child indeed |!