The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-08-25

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he's lived along Of her year in an year
out, an we felt bad for the poor Teller, an
we took him right home with us. The
minister come, too, an bestirred myself
an cooked 'em a good hot meal of vittles,
an father he made rum punch, an they
enjoyed it. if do say it. The minister
wasn't a drinkin man. wouldn't have
you understan, but he drinked hearty
that night, an was glad to see him do
1t. he was just as weak as cat when we
got home, an no wonder.
Well, that's all there is about the
wreck. expect you won't care nothin
for the rest of the story. never see
anybody so curious about wrecks as you
be. Seems to me same as it would to
you if was to tease you to tell the par
tic'lars Of all the buryin's you'd been
at. But faint no harm as know of, 50
long as you like it. Folks has different
tastes.
That trip of Dode's was talked of all
along the cape. 1t wasn't so much the
gettin line to the wreck. There was
others could maybe have done that, but
it was his gettin the lifeboat across the
dunes-the smartness of him an the
spunk was what took the folks. There
wasn't a sailor come ashore hardly but
what must go to Dode's to shake hands
with him, an many times after a man
had gone away they'd find that baby
playin with a silver dollar or maybe a
goldpiece That's the way with sea-
farm men. You do one of 'em good
turn, and he rung out to know what war
doin, an they think you've done it to the
whole Of 'em an act accordin. But the
money didn't tickle Dode an Christy
near so much as the handshakes. They
was always queer, you know; some said
fools, but l never could make it seem so.
Landl how do get ahead of myself. l
never was no great of story teller. You
go to father next time; he's a dabster
at it.
Well, the day after the wreck father
an the other two slept till noon, an
didn't call 'em, for they needed it, but
after dinner it stopped rainin an the
clouds began to look pretty thin, an they
started down street, the captain to find
his men, an the minister to call on Dode,
an father to the store for me. He staid
there talkin some time, an when he come
out there across the street he see Capn
Zach an the rest of Dode's creditors all
goin along together kind Of eager, Fa-
Their didn't somehow like the looks of
'em, an he sung out to know what war
dom, an 1t turned out they was huntin for
him, an the cap'n says, "It's another
business meetin to Avery's, an you're
wanted" Father was mad as wet hen
to have 'em pesterin Dode so quick after
what he'd done the night before, but he
daresn't anger 'em, specially Cap'n Zach,
on account Of the mortgage, fearin
'twould only make things worse for Dode,
SO he went with 'em peaceable enough.
The minister an Dode an Christy was
settin in the back of the store hen they
went in, an quick as they'd passed the
time Of day the cap'n speaks up, an says
he, Were here on important business,
an 80 if psrsonll excuse us we'll come to
the point" The minister bowed kind Of
surprised. an the cap'n turns to the 9th
ers. I'm speakin for you with your free
consent, amt IY' says he, an they all
nodded, but father he was so vexed with
'em when he see Christy's mouth begin
to twitch an Dode not DARN to look at
her that he just pounded on the counter
an reared right up to the cap'n's nose, 81
don't know whether you be or not till |
hear what you say, you old hunks.
II you'll believe me. Capn Zach never
swore nor so much as acted mad even.
but he says sort Of dry. IF you don't
like our terms, you can speak out. my
friend" an he continnerred on: We've
come to the conclusion. Mr.. Theodore
Avery, that 1t would be a blame shame
to take down the sign from over your
door, for It's the name of brave an
honest man. an It's an ornament to our
town, an so we've come to humbly ask
you," says he, Ito keep on with your
business till kingdom come. You can
pay your debts when you get ready, an
If you don't it amt no matter, for Tn
id If won't pay 'em myself. An if
Jonas Styles don't agree to that he can
settle it with me" an he turned around
to father as quick as wink
Christy was shakin like leaf before
he stopped speakin, an the tears was
rollin down her cheeks, an guess the
rest of 'em wasn't far behind her, an the
minister spoke up then an told 'em how
he was struggln along by himself when
he heard Christy's voice an come up
with 'em as they was stoppin to breathe
the team, an upon that the cap'n stepped
up to Christy an made her dreadful
polite bow, an he says:
"rve see a many handsome women. in
voyagin about tile world, Mis- Avery,
but amt never zee one, flesh an blood,
or painted picter, or marble statoo, that
looked as handsome to me as you done
when got sight Of you comm onto the
beach last night-an If I'd knowed that
it was my boy you was hurryin to save
guess you'd have looked some better
yet" He sort Of choked up for min
ute, an then he went on: "My son he
can't come to thank you for himself, but
he asked me to hand you this little par
eel of lamplighters an tell you he made
'em for you himself with best respects.
Good day, ma'am. Good day, all on you.
An he stuffed a bundle in Christy's
hand an actilly run out Of the store, an
the others after him, as unexpected as