The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-12-13


coming to is familiar to the amateur de
tective, and before he has time to recover
from his surprise the cab draws up before
617. Here's CO." he says to himself, as
the passengers alght. MEN what meets
ladies don't bring them to their house.
Leastwise, | wouldn't if it was me. But
and here light beams on Petey's couded
brain MY, but he's foxy" is the invol-
untary homa.,e that he pays the man he
has watched for two days. "The missus is
away. 1t couldn't be safer. He knows
thing or two, does that one. He's a dandy,
he is. Well, I'll just scoot around and tell
what's going on, and then hang around
and see the fun"
The house he went to was almost as hand
some as the one he just left. In answer to
his inquiry for Mrs. Bryde he was shown
into a cozy little nest all blue and white,
where sat the lady whom he sought, with
traces of recent tears on her cheeks, and an
other to whom she has evidently been tell
ing her woes.
"Ah, here is Petey at last" she exclaims
as the messenger boy comes in. NOW tell
me what you have discovered today"
Eyes, ma'am, but'-and he glances in
voluntarily at the other lady.
"Oh, that's all right, speak out. You
this boy has some delicacy about mention
ing the horrible discoveries he has made.
My DEAR need your sympathy and your
friendship now as l never needed it before"
"Well, ma'am," commenced Petey,
''somethin orful has happened today" and
he pauses like trained actor to note the
effect of his words.
II knew it, sobbed the wife, while the
other, despite her friendly interest, looked
keenly alive to therevelation she was about
to listen to.
HE didn't do nothin much this mornin,
but this afternoon, maam, he took a cab
and drove to the station, where he met II
yelled lady, and I'll be blowed if he didn't
take her to your house. and she's there
now," he concluded ina positive whirlwind
of satisfaction as he noted the sensation he
had produced.
"Alice, you hear-you, dear, will be wit
ness-little boy, l can never thank you
enough. At my house, did you say? Alice,
did you-did you ever hear of anything so
shamelessY | will 90 around there now and
show him | am not the meek mouse he
takes me for. And the woman-iust wait
until she hears what have to say to herl
Oh, it is awful, awfull' and she rocked her
self to and fro in the very frenzy of her
Petey assisted with her overshoes, and the
frightened maid managed to button her
gloves and help her on with her wrap.
How they got around to the house Petey
never could tell; the few squares were ira
versed on a run and several people stopped
to watch their very unconventional method
of progress. With her fingers pressed Cd
the electric button with nervous energy
Mrs Bryde sent a thrill through the whole
house that brought the maid to the door
in double quick time.
"Where is he-where is she?" she de-
manded, as she rushed by the girl and with
Petey at her heels hurried up the thickly
carpeted stairs to the floor above.
With face as white as death, and hands
that trembled as with palsy, she threw
open the door of her room and stood aghast
upon the threshold. Petey, who at this
time was nerved up to face almost any de-
nouement, peeped in expecting to see he
knew not what, and was decidedly disap-
pointed at the very mild and gentle tableau
that greeted his eyes. In rocking chair
sat an old lady, while by her side stood the
man whom he had watched with a leather
case in his hand. That was ALL and more
over they did not look one bit guilty, though
decidedly surprised. Mother" cried Mrs.
Bryde as she rushed into the arms held out
to her, when did you Gomez"
only just arrived, my dear. Jack had
prepared my visit as a little surprise for
you, but some one must have told you. We
were great conspirators, we two, my big
son and l, hoping to have me arrive in
time for your birthday, and more kilograms
and letters have been exchanged than |
would care to confess. You know it is al
/ aG m "a r1a nil -,
an old woman like myself from home in
the winter We did it pretty well, dearie,
didn't wef though l can see that Jack is
provoked because you caught sight of the
present he meant to keep for tomorrow.
Never mind, dear, one day sooner won't
make much difference after all How
strangely you act, dear Aren't you glad to
see me?"
"Yes, mother, dearest, only-only am so
surprised" And the poor little woman,
who had expected a blow to her life's hap
piness, now that it had turned out so diff
lerently, did as all women do after the dan
ger is over-calmly tainted away.
Petey at this move slipped out in the hall
to wait further developments and was not
surprised to be called into the room when
Mrs. Bryde had fully recovered. He found
her sitting with one hand in her mothers,
the other in her husbands. And those
letters which you wouldn't let me see were
from mother" she was saying as he entered
"What foolish, suspicious Ii tie woman |
have been. All, Petey" as she caught sight
of the small figure, Jack, here is the lit
tie boy that has done me great service
and want you to give him place in your
Office as another birthday present to me
will you, jack"
| l.. . I,n 4 1 I
of love into the wistful eyes was sufficient
answer, and thus it happened that Petey
never answered another CALL and new boy
sits and dreams on the bench in the Office of
the A. ID. T. company. Philddelphia Times