The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-12-16
Selected Storp.
Rosie's Case Before the Squire.

Hellta, YOURSELF" cried the squire,
ninging up his head, rubbing his eyes,
and adjusting his glasses.
His visitor was sturdy, brown-faced
girl of fourteen, with fluffy black hair,
bright eyes, and resoute mouth. She
was very stlfcontained in her manner;
and, while there was no resentment in
her composition, it was evident that
she was one who would sand up for
her rights.
What do you want?" asked TIE
Squire.
Law" was the crisp reply, where
upon the squire struggled to reprtss a
smile.
I" want my pony" the girl added.
Your ponyl" repeated the squire.
81 haven't got your pony. Why do
you come to m,2"
You're the squire, are you not?"
last fall. The g>psies have her in their
camp at Cove Creek. l saw her there
this morning."
Squire Barlow suddenly became in
terested in the face, voice and positive
ways of his young visitor.
What is your manner" he asked.
MUSIC WdISOu, SIT, suC Sdlu.
"Oh, you are the blacksmith's daugh-
ter" observed the squire. Yes, l
remember you now. Well, why didn't
your father Gomez"
"Itis my pony" the girl said "And
my-my-case."
YES" admitted the Squire. He
laughed softly to himself, spread out
his official docket, and made few en-
tries. You saw your pony this morn
ing?" he asked.
Yes, sir. AT Cove Creek, by the
covered bridge, just outside the gypsy
camp. She was grazing on the banks
of the stream" stated Rosie.
Ponies may look very much alike"
suggestt d the squire.
"Ah, hut I'd know Dollie among a
thousand ponit 81" declared Rosie, her
brown face aglow. "She's dark bay,
with black points, star on her fore
head, white fetlocks, and a faint dash
of white on her breast"
The squire was busy writing. He
stopped and read aloud 10 her the COM
plant and the description.
"Can you add anything?" asked
Rosie.
"Why, of course, little DEAR" replied
the Squire, in his fatherly way.
"Then add" suggested Rosie, "that
the pony is ten hands high"
That was promptly interlined; and
then the Squire gravely asked, Rosie,
can you swear that you know the pony
to be yours, and that you believe the
gypsies have her?"
d" Yes, sir, can" Rosie said deter
minedly, and without moments hes
itation.
"Take this book" the squire said.
" 1t is the Holy Bible. Suppose you
swore to what is not true?"
" would be perjurer," was Rosie's
answer.
"And what would be the conse-
quence?"
my soul would be lost, unless God
forgave me the dreadful sim"
Eyes, child" the squire said, with
moistened eyes. you seem to know
what you are about"
He administered the oath, and then
said, "Kiss the book"
She looked at him with wandering
glance, and then pressed her lips to the
book in an awed reverential manner.
"What will it cost?" she asked, in her
-LotISl -Oi-loNt
Don't bother your head about the
COSTS" the Squire said. Wait a
Bit" he added, seeing that she was
about TO go. He hurriedly filed up a
blank summons, folded it, handed it to
her, and said, II suppose you know
whore Constable Finn lives?'
sob, yes" replied Rosie.
"Take that to him at once" the
IA =.
head gyp>y's arrest. The hearing will
be held here at two o'clock this after
noon. AS you are the complainant, you
must be present at that hour"
The time and circumstances of the
hearing were noised about the village
and, when two O'Clock came, the
squirrels Office was crowded. The gypsy
sat upon rough bench, with an I'M
lighted clay pipe in his mouth. He was
dirty, unshaven, sullen-looking. He
did not wear vest, and his corduroy
breeches were fastened at his waist by
greasy leathern belt, behind which the
haft of knife was visible.
"The plaintiff here, this little girl,
claims that you have pony which be-
longs to her." Squire Barlow said, his
eyes on the gypsy, who replied:-
"She hasn't any claim on it. 1t is
NINE"
where did you get the pony?"
asked the Squire.
81 bought her in Michigan" said
the man.
When?"
Three years ago."
1t was such bold lie that Rosie's
face famed with Indignation.
"She gives very minute descrip-
ton of the pony" reminded the squire.
"There are plenty of dark bay ponies,
ten hands high, and slashed with
white" was the mans logged reply.
Anybody could look at her across a
fence, and then describe her." he added
with a grin. "The girl must bring
better proof before III surrender the
pony"
Rosie looked out of the rear window
of the 'squire's office, and saw small
pasture lot close by. Her face fairly
hpamad with nm i6ao that had ooourra q