The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-14

ing, he is straight as gun. II you nave
any reluctance about taking the money,
pei haps Mr. Young Kramer could hnd
some other town more ready to take MS
word regarding the matter of his nailvl-
ty. should he so choose"
"Oh, no." said the deason, "Roundtop
will not reject the money, and money Is
always a guaranty Of respectable Y.
What am to sign ?"
"Here, SIR" was the reply, put your
name to this document, which Is an &C
acknowledgement, and here is the money,
in bills for one thousand dollars, dellv-
cred by Rounce Brothers, attorneys for
Young Kramer"
The deacon signed the paper mechan-
ically, as if in doubt still when remem-
berIng the axiom of Hoyle that he had
read somewhere, "When IN doubt, take
the trick" he counted the money, by
Ieaue,t of the attorney, astonlshed at
the amount, and, deposting it safely ln
the breast pocket of his coat, he bade
good morning to the agent and returned
home to carry out the programme al
ready agreed upon. The church was
frightened by new coat of paint, the
school house underwent complete rem
ONdllOus dbu SNiN iOuo SN'@
apart for the use of the few that needed
help. among whom was "Old Grou'y,"
who was the first to make application.
The name of "Young Kramer became
more familiar to RoundtOp after year
or two, and he appeared to possess an
almost intuitive knowledge OF the needs
of the Il4ce, for there WAS subst quent
addition to the poor fund, and when the
railroad was built aud the station eslao
lished where it is at presen', IL was
"Young Kramer" who sent on funds Tor
making an avenue between that and the
town, to be skirted on either side with
shade trees, which forms an elegant pas
sage from tine station to the summit
But another wonder succeeded, when
the breath Of r Rlundtop asalmosI taken
away by proffer from Young Ara
mcr" to build Town Hall for the place,
with room for a public library ana sun
day other matters introduced for the
benefit of the public. with specifications
and plans; to include, as its single orna-
ment, a bust, of the donor, which as was
stated, he was ambitions to have placed
in the building, not that his feature were
familiar or particularly pleasant, but as
the llneaments of a stranger, though
native, who was desIrOu+ Of kindly
memory in the hearts of his townspeo-
pie, which might be enhanced by the
effigy.
The condition was easy and the prop
osilion was acc ped with proiu-
sion of thanks, the same proceeding as
the one previous conducted between
Deacon Turner and Rounce Brothers, in
uuiry being equally futile regarding the
identity of young Kramer.
A site was procured-A gift OF the
ltown-and in due time a handsome but
not very costly building was completed ,
with place assigned for the bust in the
great hall, which was to remain uncov-
cred until the dedication, when it YVES
intimat ID that the donor would be pres
ent to take part in the ceremonies.
The day came round upon which the
dedication was to take place, Round
top pu' on its best dress for the occ ision
Business at the factory was suspended,
merchants shut up their stores, 'he
school house was closed, and thu re was
every preparation for the biggest time
ever known in those p7fts | was MID
summer, and provision had been nla' e
for a picnic under the trees, to which all
were invited. Wa'ermarge fitted OUT
barge, elegantly decorated, filled with
boardpra who came over to help ceie
brate the great event. Even the hand
of decoration had ex ended It's skill TO
Grout's humble cottage, the occupant
presenting no obstacle, for it was the
,weetpst girl of the place who planned
t. the one who, OF all others, had found
che way to the old mans heart, an In
only one in whom he reposed any conf
dence. She was the one who was 10 un-
veil the bust, and had her heart fully in
the work inIrusted to her.
And will you be there 2 she asked
eagerly.
The committee to whom the manage
ment OF the affair was iltfusled had
looked in vain for Young Kramer" )"
whose presence had been partially prom
ised Messengers sent to the hotel and
the railway station-a carriage for every
train-made futile errands, until prI
vate vehicle. driving up the avenue,
awakened vivid expectation, but Deacon
Turner recognized in the portly passen
ger Of the carriage Mr.. ROunce OF iunce
Brothers. He greeted the deacon cor
daily, but could say nothing concerning
Young Kramer, to the great dlsappoint-
ment of the company.
The ceremony OF dedication proceeded
with real town music, an invocation,
and an address by Deacon Turner, who
in praise of the generous donor, express
ed the regret of his auditors that their
benefactor could not be present to W.T.
ness the happiness he had caused by
4 l. Of tD all they
we're bound to him by ties OF the deep
est and most lasting gratitude the
speedy unveiling of whose face would
come upon them like benedlctlon'
The bust, that had been securely held
from scrutiny by plenteous number OF
rope yarns above il, had been freed from
its bonds and the unrestrained canvas
alone kept it from observation, when the
Young lady in charge of the duty OF un.
yelling mounted the steps prepared for
the purpose, casting her eyes over the
audience until they rested upon an old
man who had just entered at the door,
and, without more hesitation, she re-
moved the canvas. revealing the marble
lineaments of "Ol6 GrOuty."
There was a strong feeling of diSap-
poinment and bewilderment among the
audience az the features OF the old man
became visible "a feeling almo.t akin to
anger-and deep silence ensued, which
was broken by the voice Of Mr.. Rounce,
who detailed the merits of the case, and
the feeling changed almost to rapture as
he read a brief note from the donor:
"My Good Topnspeople PLEASE par
don my deception, il you regard II so, to
the good wish you. AS Silas Grout
the beggar, could do nothing, my plans
rel lcted az the whims Of a madm1n. the
end wished impossible. had to adopt
another course, and as Young Kramrr,
with the help Of Rounce Brothers, car
ried out my purpose. The Intrusion Of
the bust was a temptation, resulting
, from fond wish to make myself better
known and better regarded by my neigh
bors, and impress the moral that mar
: should not always be judged by a for
biding outside. Please accept my gift
J and may it prove all that | can MAKE
= and wish. SILAs GRoUT.'
i "And now, my friends" said Mr.
I Rounce, as he handed the note to tn,
r Chairman, las you have found bene
3 factor where you least expected, allow
me to congratulate you upon the acqui
, sition. and permit me 10 add the wisi