Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-01-13
AN UNCONSCIOUS DIPLOMAT.

due in Skillings Village at about half-past
two. 1t was now two o'clock, and though
the driver had been spoken to the day be-
fore on his way east, AMI was TO be again
cautioned at the pOst-office not to forget to
call for Mrs. Piper, the old lady felt 1t was
best to be on the safe side, and was wait
ing patiently.
Mrs. Stone. her nearest neighbor, had
come over to bid Mrs. Piper good-by, and
stood beside her under the large willow
tree which shaded the gate.
"YOu don't mea to tell me, Mrs. Piper,
that you're going to Ellsworth with only
one shawl9 Land you'll freeze to d"ath
a-crossn' that ferry. l never could bring
myself to go cross that ferry, noways.
The current sets master strong there jest
above the falls. Seems as il that ferry
was a sort of tempting Providence" and
Mrs. Stone shivered apprehensvely.
"Well, dunno; It amt ever worried
me none to speak of, responded Mrs. Pr
per. 81 always try to occupy my mind
someways Jest before we get to 1t. Though
when the winds fresh and Mr.. Atkins
gets up sail, own to it don't feel as If
had much purchase on life"
"Now don't you worry about Mr.. Piper
one mite. You jest have a good visit;
III kinder keep an eye on him." said Mrs.
Stone, amiably. II often wish t was so l
was free to go as you be, but l seem to be
tied hand an foot, one way an another"
The stage was now in sight, and in
short time the mud-bespattered wagon,
drawn by two raw-boned horses, came to
a gradual pause before the gate, and the
substantial figure of Mrs. Piper was hoist
ed into the back seat. The driver arranged
the worn buffalo robes, and started his
horses into mill and displrited trot.
"Terrible rough goin'," ventured Mr..
Hall, looking over his shoulder toward his
passenger yesterday, jest as | was
a-comin' down that rough place by the fer
ry, one of the fore wheels give way; let
the whole fore part of the wagon right
down. l fixed it ups well as l could, but
this carts seen its best days. IT amt what
call safe"
"Well, Mr.. Hall, travelin' is always more
or less risky. I've always sail stage-driv-
In must be dreadful tryin'. Still, s'pose
you find a good deal to divert YOU" re-
sponded Mrs. Piper.
Eyes, IN; / see considerable, but t gets
tiresOme. l was a-thinkin' of that willer-
tree of yours as l come along today" con-
tinued Mr.. Hall, after brief pause. TT
makes such shady spot in summer that l
always sort of slow up the horses long
there"
81 set good deal by that tree" replied
Mrs. Piper, briefly. "This wagon amt
over comfortable" she continued; 81 de-
clare to it, thought 1 should go out over
backward when you was a-goin' up that
steep hill"
"Goin' to stop long in Ellsworth" ques-
toned Mr.. Hall, ignoring his passengers
complaint.
"rm a-calculatin' on stoppin' week;
I've been a-thinkin' of goin' for some time,
an gettin' 1t off my mind before winter
set in. l expected William would object
to my goin'; but he seemed real pleased
said he guessed the change would do me
good"
Mr.. Hall received these remarks in con-
siderate silence.
Mr.. Piper had finished the chores, and
cleared away the remains of his lonely
supper. He now took down a candlestck
from the high mantepiece in the kitchen.
81 shan't fool round with no kerosene
lamps" he muttered. "They amt safe,
an l amt goin' to begin at my time of life
experimental with EN-"
He lighted candle carefully, and put it
on a small pine table, which he drew near
the fire, and, after rubbing his glasses. I'M
folded the Eastern Argus, and tried to
read. But the feeble, Pickering light made
reading too hard task, and Mr.. Piper
put the paper away.
"It's lonesome, declare to 1t if't amt"
he sollloquized. "If had MT had that
tree on my mind, l dunno as l should
been wlllin' fer mother to hev gone. But
t want no use arguin'; she never could
see that the tree was puffickly useless.
An l want goin' to upset her talkn'
bout it. 1t keeps the yard all Uttered up"
he continued, as If justifying himself to
some unseen Obiector.
Mr.. Piper made a short evening, and be-
fore the clock struck eight his solitary
light was eXtinguished. But he was up at
an early hour the next morning, and as
Mrs. Stone went out to feed her chickens,
she saw Mr. Piper putting ladder up
against the willow-tree. Mrs Stone stood
and watched him. He had a coil of rope,
one end of which he fastened securely
about the middle of the tree; the other
end he carried toward the barn, and for a
moment disappeared from his neighbours
view. The rope had evidently been fasten-
ed, as 1t now came up taut and strong;
and in moment Mr. Piper reappeared
WIN an AK.
'Landr' exclaimed Mrs. Stone, ''if he
amt goin' to cut down that tree. Seems
just as If William Piper thought trees
was pizen; an Mis- Piper away-he sha'n't
do itp' and leaving the chickens to their
own devices, Mrs. Stone hurried across the
field calling out as she went, "Mr. Piperl
Mr.. Piperp'
That worthy man had carefully exam
ined the blade of his AK, and found it sat
isfactOrlly sharp, and just raised it for a
full swinging blow against the beautiful
tree, when his neighbours voice diverted
his attention for one fatal instant. The
ak came crashing down against the tree,
only TO glance off and to come back against
Mr.. Piper's leg with such force that he i'm
mediately lOosened his hold upon the
handle.
"There, Susan Stone, you've done it
now. I'm famed for life," screamed the
old man, as his neighbor, out of breath
and greatly alarmed, came to his astist-
ance.
1t was no slight wound The heavy
leather bootleg had been but little protec-
tion against the force of the blow, and Mr.. !
Piper found himself unable to walk. Mrs.
Stones vigorous calls soon brought her
husband and son to her aid, and Mr.. Piper |
was carried into the house and placed in
his armchair, with his injured leg stretched |
across another chair