Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-12-01


meant he should have it after was dead,
anyway he thought. Eight miles was a
long walk for Captain Pike, and he was
glad to get an early start; he hoped he .
would not meet any of his acquaintances.
He thought a good deal about Caroline
as he walked along and wondered if he
ought not TO have gone to her before. She
did not have to manage SO carefully as
Louiza did, and perhaps would not have
found him a burden.
1t was past noon when he limped up the
concrete walk to Mrs. Ellis's house. He
had been there once years ago. He had
not been a welcome visitor then, and,
grown humble with misfortune, he found
his way to a side door, a pleasant-faced
maid answered his ring.
as Mrs. Ellis at hOme?' he asked.
Eyes, sir; step in" said the girl, land
sit down here till | speak to her.
The respectful manner of the servant en-
couraged him, and a little look of hopeful
ness came into his tired face.
1t was some time before Mrs Ellis came
in The maid was a new servant, and had
to be reproved for admitting strangers. As
she came down stairs she thought over a
neat little phrase of dismissal that would
send the old beggar, as she supposed, about
his business.
Captain Pike stood up as he heard the
rustic of his daughters dress: Caroline,
I've come" But the look on her face
froze his words into silence. His out
stretched hand dropped to the back OF the
chair near which he stood The white
head was again bowed as it had been in
Mrs. Bishops kitchen.
"How did you happen to come, father?'
she asked.
''Louiza thought L better" he answer
! ed.
ITS Just like her not to let me know,
| so | couli send you word not TO come.
! You see I've got company coming this very
afternoon for Thanksgiving, and there isn't
any room
Il see; guess I'll start right away, SOS
| to get there before dark. It's quite a walk.
he replied
walk? Why. you needn't walk; of
course I'll be glad to give you money to
pay your fare with. Perhaps another
spring it will be so | can have you come
down for a weeks visit said Mrs. Ellis,
opening her purse.
I'D ruther walk, Caroline said the
captain. and without another word of fare
well he opened the door and went out.
1t was late in the morning when Nelson
was sent up stairs to see if his grandfather
wanted anything.
He amt there, and his watch and
chains under my pillow said the boy.
Land, you 90 call your father this
minute, and you put that watch and chain
Just where you laid hands on it, eXclaim-
ed Mrs. Bishop in a startled voice: and
Nelson went out in the woodshed and told
his father that grandpa had gone away
Il guess he amt gone far, said Mr..
u Sill lii,
little walk, maybe; he'll turn up all right
before night
But I'm afraid he's started off to walk
to Newtown," said Mrs. Bishop, who had
followed Nelson into the shed.
"Well, that's what you have been a
wantin' him to do amt it, questioned
her husband ITS good bright day and
he's taken an early start; if he amt back
by night you can depend upon it he's
gone to see Caroline
but he didn't say no good-byes, and
he's left his watch under Nelson's pillow
just as ii he warn't coming back said
Louiza.
Nelson amt going to have that watch
said Mr.. Bishop, firmly, "he'll get ii all out
of fix, and his grandfather Il want it,
Louiza watched anXiously for her father 5
return. When evening came she hope he
was safe with caroline.
I'm write to her and find out. to-
morrow" she thought, Il shan't take nc
manner of comfort Thanksgiving not
knowing where father is. | hope Caroline
II be glad to see him, and ! shall write him
that when he gets tired OF stayin' he must
come right home
just out of Newtown Captain Pike was
overtaken by teamster who gave him a
ride of several miles on his way. But il
was nearly dusk when he reached Spruce
land and walked slowly down the platform
to the little railroad station.
This bare room was the only place where
he felt he had a right to rest, and he was
very tired. There was no one there, hut
in a few minutes a bright-faced young
woman, the bookkeeper at the shop where
he had worked, came in, bought ticket,
= and seeing Captain Pike came over and
z spoke to him.
/ Are you going away for Thanksgiving,
Captain?" she asked, briskly. Il am;
am going home to see my father and moth
err"
I'm glad you be-" answered the old
, man. perhaps you could tell me, Miss
/ Brown, who the selectmen be. ! Amt
ever heard, or don't seem to remember if /
have"
: Even at this moment, when no Other
place seemed opened to him, the old man
hated to ask his way to the poorfarm.
"Why, Mr.. Pope's one, said the girl,
2 I'D like to see him. said the captain,
t but I've been a walkin considerable, and
l don't know if / shall manage it
There was an appeal in his voice that
5 went TO the girls heart, and she answered
= quickly.
I'm run over and ask Mr.. Pope to come
over here and see you. I've got plenty OF
/ time before the train" And she hurried
out.
A few moments later Mr.. Pope came in
t to the snadowy station where Captain
Pike sat alone; he had letter in his hand
S swell, captain, he said, good news travels
fast, but | didn't expect to hear from you
t so soon. The fact is, l didn't hear from
Washington till last night, and ! haven
had chance to get round to tell you that
your pension is all right. There consider
able back pay coming to you, so you're
D pretty well fixed
The old man grasped at Mr.. Pope's
sleeve. Gould l pay my board out o
% that pension money!" he asked, eagerly.
= "Of course you could; I'd take you t.
board myself for half of it, answered tn,