The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-02-22

house and placed in bis arm cnalr, win |
his injured leg stretched across another
chair.
He was made as comfortable as pos |
sible. Mrs. s one decided she must re-
main until the arrival of Mrs. Piper,
who was to be sent for by the next
days stage.
Wba'n the name of creation was
you aye lin at me for, anyway, Mis-
Stone2" inquired the old man after the
departure Of the village doctor, who
had consoled him by saying that the
cut was not serious one.
al was a comm to stop you a.cuttin'
down that willow tree, Mr.. Piper. l
saw you a fussin' round and l knew
jest how bad Mis- Piper was goin' 10
feel when she got home; an says l,
I'll stop it If can; Mis- Piper'd do as
much for me.'"
Well, you stopped it; an s'pose
you calculate on Mis- Piper's being real
grateful TO you when she gets home an
fndS me famed for life," said Mr. Piper.
Nov, Mr.. Piper, you amt no more
famed for life'n l be. You'll be out
by spring An what you want TO cut
down that tree fer is more N ! can see.
You amt put to it fer kindlin' wood,
am it's something your wife thinks
sight of. That little girl Of yours that
died used to play under it. remem-
Der che had a playhouse one side of it,
an used to hev tea-parties there, all by
herself, an her mad sit by the winder
an watch her. | s'pnct there's good
many times, when Mis- Piper's sittin'
here alone, that she looks out'n the
winder and thinks of them days."
"Willer trees spoil the land" replied
ter the yard all up; an 'tain't no use,
nohOw; it ought to be cut down, but l
dunno as l shall ever get to it now," he
concluded.
Mrs. Stone was silent, and it was
some little time before MIR. Piper spoke
again.
I've been a.ihinkin', Mis- Stone, I'd
ask favor II It was so you could feel
TO grant it. amt anxious fer Mis-
Piper to know how l got hurt, an If
you'll manage to get the rope off n the
tree III jest let it go that was a-cuttin'
wood"
The old mans eyes were downcast,
and his lips trembled little as he went
| on:
"I've been a-thinkin' OF our little gal.
I amt had man ginerally, Mis-
Stone, an if you think Mi,' Piper gets
comfort out of that tree, I'll jest agree
that an axe sbs'n't ever be put to it,"
"Pll zee to that rope right away;
an Mis- Piper sha'n't ever mistrust
from me-" replied Mrs. Some, briskly.
Mr.. Hall had safely land, his pas
senger her destination, and received
the regular fare between Skillings Viii
lage and Ellsworth. He was, therefore,
greatly surprised the next morning to
find Mrs. Piper and her bundles at the
stage office, evidently intending to re.
turn.
"I'm a-goin' back this mornin', Mr..
Hall. l s'pOse it looks foolish, an like
enough y will prove 3d." said Mrs.
Piper, after she was seated in the
wagon. "Sister Fiji Id didn't he state
10 say that she thought my mind was
failin' me, after goin' to the expense OF
gettin' here only to stay one night"
Mr.. Hall was evidently disturbed in
his mind by this unexpected pass enger.
Pm glad to have your company,
ma'am," he said politely. There's "a
good many days that / ride 'thout
avin' no one to speak to. hope YOU
amt had present'ment, hev you, Mis-
Piper"
81 amt no believe in no such things
as present'men,a an if was inclined
hat way, wouldn't give in to it. No,
faint thai; but I've Jest had it on my
mind ever since took off my things
at Sister Fifield's last night that some.
thing was wrong at home. 1t came
over me jest as Sister Fifeld wa
a.liehtin' her sit,in' room lamp; an ]
spoke right out then, an says l, 81
hope William won't NEEDLE with the
kerosene lamps An The more
thought of it, the more likely it seemed
to me that he'd try an light one. ]
hope everything's all right; but Il
wouldn't s'prise me to flnd the house
burned to ashes"
"Great Peter Mis- Piper,' re-
sponded the driver, II don't wonder
you're anxious to get there. Hope At
kins III be on this side when we get to
the ferry, SOS to save time"
Mrs. Piper did not reply; she was
evidently in a respondent frame OF
mind, and several miles were travelled
in silence. Then Mr.. Hall spoke again
When spring comes, Mis- Piper, j
want you 10 cut me off some little
sprouts of your willer tree. mean to
set 'em out round my place"
"You'll be welcome to 'em, Mr.. Hall.
May is the best time TO set 'em out.
That tree is jest like folks to me. ]
tell MIS- Stone 1t seems like neigh
bor," replied Mrs. Piper.
Mr.. Piper amt never got it into his
head to cut that down, has he?" in.
quired Mr.. Hall.
Mrs. Piper INDUCED in faint laugh
"NO; It amt seemed to wear on him
as those near the house did, and he
knows I'd never listen to it, nohow."
1t was dull and tiresome ride. Both
driver and passenger seemed overshad
owed by the possible conf grafton, and
Mrs. Piper alighted at htr own gate
with a certain surprised feeling of relief
T at finding the house still standing.
"Shan't stop for you to. morrow sg'in
shall lp' inquired Mr.. Hall-a feeble at
tempt at joke which Mrs. Piper did
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