The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-02-22
SELECTED STORY.
An Unconscious Diplomat.

yeloped in a comfortable gray wooden
shawl and numerous smaller wrappings.
The stage came through from Cherry
Held, and was 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 before on his way
east. and was to be again cautioned at
the post-office not 10 forget to call for
Mrs. Piper, the old lady felt it was best
to be Oh the safe side, aud was waiting
patiently.
Mrs. Stone, her nearest neighbor, had
come over to bid Mrs. Piper goodbye,
and stood beside her under the large
willow tree which shaded the gate.
"You don't mean TO tell me, Mrs.
Piper, that you're going 10 e lswot tn
with only one shawl2 LADdi you'll
freeze to death a-cross in' that ferry. l
never could bring mystlf 10 go Gross
that ferry, nowsys. The current sets
master strong there ! ct above the falls.
Seems as If that ferry was sort OF
tempting Providence and Mrs. Stone
shivprtd apprehensively.
Well, l dunno; u amt ever worried
me none to speak Of" responded Mrs.
Piper. ~ always try to occupy my
nluu bUL0GHd1b lCbh UOiOlO VC kCk w ~,
Though when the winds fresh, and Mr..
Atkins gets up q sail, l own TO it don't
feel ss if had much purchase on life"
"Now don't you worry about Mr.. Pi.
per one mite You jest have good
visit; III kinder keep an eye on him."
said Mrs. Stone, amisbly. 81 often
wish twas 80 was free to go as you
be, but i seem TO be tied hand an foot,
one way an another"
The stage was now in sight, and in q
short time the mud. bespatlered wagon,
drawn by two raw.boned horses, came
to q gradual pause before the gate, and
the substantial figure OF Mrs. Piper was
hoisted into the back seat. the driver
arranged the worn buffalo robes, and
started his horses into q mild and dis
pirited trOt,
Terrible rough goin'," ventured Mr..
Hall, looking over his shoulder toward
his passenger. Yesterday, jest as
was a. comm down that rough place by
the ferry, one of the fore wheels give
way; let the whole fore part of the
wagon right down. fixed it ups well
/ could. but this carts seen its best
days. 'Taint what ! call safe."
"Well, Mr.. Hall, travlin' is always
more or less risky. I've always said
stage driyin' must be dreadful tryin'.
Still, s'pose you find good deal to
divert you" responded Mrs. Piper.
"Yes'm; see considerable, butt gets
tiresome. | was thinkin' of that
willer tree of yours az l come along 10.
day." continued MIR. Hall, after a brei
pause. cit makes such a shady spot
in summer that / always sort of slow up
the horses long there"
81 set q good deal by that tree" re.
piled Mrs. Piper, bli, ~. "This wagon
81 declare 10 it, thought 1 should &c
out over backward when you was
a-goin' up that steep hill"
"Goin' 10 stop long in Ellsworth
questioned Mr.. Hall, ignoring his pas.
senger's complaint.
"Im a.calcualin' on stoppin' week
I've been a-thinkin' of goin' for some
Ame, am gettin' il off my mind before
winter set in. j expected William
would object to my goin'; but be
seemed real pleased; said he guessed
the change would do me good"
Mr.. Hall received these remarks in
consideraie silence.
Mr.. Piper had finished the chores
and cleared away the remains of his
lonely supper. He now took down g
and.estck from the high msptel. piece
IN the kitchen.
al shsn't fool round with no kero
sene lamps" be multered. "They
amt safe, an amt goin' to fegin a.
NV time Of life experimental with
'sm."
He lighted a candle carefully, anG
put it on small pine table, which be
drew near the fire. and, after lubbin.
his glaes es, info ded lb~ Eastern Arqu,
and tried TO read. But The feeble
Rlckering light made reading TOO hard {
task, and Mr.. Piper put the paper away
"It's lonesome, l declare to il if .
amt" he sOiilOquZ ID. IF / hadn'i
had that tree on my mind, dunno as
should been wilin' fer mother 10 he,
gone. But 'twan't no use arguin'; sh,
never could see that the tree was puff
ickly useless. An want goin' to up
set her talkin' bout it. IL keeps th,
yard all Uttered up" he continued, a,
If justifying himself to some unse Ell
obj.ctor.
Mr.. Piper made short evening, ant
OoiOlC tuo ClOCh cbuCh tlRnk Dis BOIL
tary light was exlip guished. But HI
was up at an early hour the next morn
ing, and as Mrs. Stone went ut to feet
her chickens, she saw Mr.. Piper put
ting ladder up against the willow
@ree. Mrs. Stone stood and watched
him. He had coil of rope, one end o
which he fastened securely about tb,
middle of the tree; the other end b,
carried toward the barn, and for q mo
ment disappeared from his neighbour
view. The rope had evidently beef
6etened, as it now came up taut AM
strong; and in moment Mr.. Pipe
resppesred with an axe.
"Landl" exclaimed Mrs. Stone, "
he amt goin' 10 cut down that tree
Seems just as If William Iiper tboug h
trees was pizen; an Mis- Piper away
he shan't do itl' and leaving the chick
ems TO their own devices, Mrs. Ston
hurried across the field, calling out a
she went, Mr.. Pperl Mr.. PiperP'
That worthy man had carefully ex