Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-10-19

fact that Harold and his only child, An
ME Bunker, were lovers, and he had
| given his consent to their marriage
within couple of months. Would that
consideration nollify him and dispose
him to hush things and prevent scan
dial for Armies sake? Well, it might
! have that effect on some men. but not
those of the Benjamin Bunker type. He
would be much more likely to see in
| Harold's action fight from matrimony
and an intended sli0lt cast upon his
daughter, which would make him fero-
ciously vindictive And yet he would
have to be informed of it. All things
considered, believed it would be pleas
ATTEST to break the news to him by let
ter, and | was still cogitating upon the
phrases should employ in such com
munication when upon reaching the
store the first person to present himself
to my sight was Mr.. Benjamin Bunker.
He was sitting on plow beam in the
open extension where we kept the larger
agricultural implements hopping his
brow and tanning himself with his wide
straw hat.
Hello he shouted chcerily as / en-
tered, you've got the coolest place in
town. I'm glad I've found it this early
in the season, for if this weather keeps
on in the way it has started it will be
hotter than hadcs by the Fourth. Put
ting up this addition was grand idea.
The through draft is glorious. Hows
business: Pretty dull just now, sup
pose. Where's Harod:"
| answered his questions in their or
der, feeling it prudent TO give the best
news first. And fortunately | could
truthfully speak we'll Of our trade. He
was much pleased by my report. Then,
as cautious end gradual leader in the
direction Of the inevitable trouble.
which had now fully made up my mind
to face at once without trying to employ
a letter as il lightning rod, said:
"Oh. by the way, | am daily expect
ing sight draft for some cultivators
and pows and may have to call on you
for some ready cash to meet it if it comes
this week"
He looked astonished and demanded.
whats the matter with your bank ac-
count
=.
this forenoon. | have of course made it
good and deposited enough to meet any
small necessary checks, but the draft
will be for S1S5."
But Harold told me last week there
We're over $4,000 standing to the firms
credit, which you expected to use in wool
and hops"
Yes. Quite true, But the day be-
fore yesterday he drew $l5 900 went to
New York and has not been heard from
since"
What did he draw that amount for?"
II don't know"
Did he not tell you anything about
it,"
No"
Did you knew he was going to New
York;
No. | was ont Of town from early in
the morning until evening. when called
Oh Miss Linden and there found Il note
from him saying he had gone but did
not know he had drawn the money until
today"
| was not disappointed in the way Nh
Bunker rose to the occasion. He never
looked so big, red and vigorous before
in my knowledge OF demonstrated such
an UntramMeled freedom of language
mainly of objurSatory varieties. That
my partner had cleaned ont the firm
and run eff to Europe with his plumber"
lie took for granted, and his rage culMi-
mated when he recollected the fugitive's
engagement TO his daughter. Both as "a
nj la
the young man, and it would not have
been easy TO determine in which light he
regarded him with most disfavOr. Final
ly he seemed to get it into his head that
| was somehow to blame. enough at least
TO deserve some part of the cursing Har-
old escaped by absence but | stopped
HIM pretty abruptly when he took that
tone. and we parted in no good humor
with each other. Ifancied he would be
al unpleasing person at the family table
that evening, and he was, as Subsequent
~ learned, but after al he was much
better hearted Old fellow than gave him
credit for being, as events soon showed
When he left me, was not only sorely
troubled about my financial position.
but very angry with him and deter
mined that at all costs | would be quit of
him forever, and that in way which
would leave him no excuse for saving
anything disa grCeablc about me. SO |
went to my lawyer, Mr.. McQuillop, and
directed him TO procure for me by mort
gaging my homestead, a fine farm near
the town, a sum which would enable me
to wipe ont Mr. Bunlser's by no means
silent" interest il ny affairs and enable
me to continue the business alone.
Imagine if you can my surprise when
on returning to the store found note
from Mr.. Bunker:
Ny DEAR BoY-D Don't be riled over hasty
words spoken in anger. You are all right.
knew, and worse sufferer than | shall be b.
the fellows rasCality, but | was ratified
when you sprung it on me. inclose check To
meet draft Call on me if you want any more
And in tho note was his check for
$3.50.
My i'll feeling melted away like fog in
the sunshine. Still did not send word