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

the arrival of Mrs. Piper, who was to be
sent for by the next days stage.
"What n the name of creation was you
a-yellin' at me for, anyway, Mis- Stone?"
inquired the old man after the departure
of the village doctor, who had cOnsOled
him by saying that the cut was not seri-
GUS one.
81 was a-comin' to stop you a-cuttn'
down that willer-tree, Mr.. Piper. 1 saw
you a-fussin' round, an | knew Jest how
bad Mis- Piper was goin to feel when she
got home; an says l, I'll stop it if can.
Mis- Piper d do as much for me-"
"Well, you stopped it.; an | s'pose you
calculate on Mis- Piper's being real CRATE
full to you when she gets home an finds
me lam d for life" said Mr.. Piper.
"Now, Mr.. Piper, you amt no more
famed for life N | be. You'll be out by
spring. An what you want to cut down
that tree fer, is more N | can see. You
amt put to it fer kindlin'- wood, an it's
something your wife thinks a sight of.
That little girl of yours that died used to
play under it. remember she had play
house one side of it, an used to hev tea
parties there, all by herself, an her ma ID
sit by the winder an watch her. l spect
there 8 good many times, when Mis- Pr
per's sltn' here alone, that she looks out
n the winder and thinks of them days"
"Willer-trees spoil the land" replied
Mr.. Piper. 1.-The leaves and twigs litter
the yard all up; an t amt no use, no
how; it ought to be cut down, but dun
no as shall ever get to it now" he con-
cluded.
Mrs. Stone was silent, and 1t was some
little time before Mr.. Piper spoke again.
'Pve been a-thnkin', Mis- Stone, I'd
ask favor if It was so you could feel to
grant it. 1 amt anxious fer Mis- Piper to
know how got hurt, an if you'll manage
to get the rope off N the tree, I'll jest let
it go that was a-cuttin' wood"
The old mans eyes were downcast, and
his lips trembled little as he went on:
I've been a-thinkin' of our little gal
l amt hard man ginPrally, Mis- Stone,
an if you think Mis- Piper gets comfort
out of that tree, I'll jest agree that an ak
sha'n't ever be put to it,"
I'll see to that rope right away; an
Mis- Piper sha'n't ever mistrust from me-"
replied Mrs. Stone, briskly.
Mr. Hall had safely landed his passen-
ger at her destination, and received the
regular fare between Skillngs Village and
Ellsworth. He was, therefore, greatly
surprised the next morning to find Mrs.
Piper and her bundles at the stage-office,
evidently intending to return.
'Hm a-goin' back this mornin', Mr.. Hall.
l s'pOse it looks foolish, an like enough U
will prove So" said Mrs. Piper, after she
was seated in the wagon. "Sister Fiield
didn't hesitate to say that she thought my
mind was failin' me, after goin' to the ex-
pense of gettin' here only to stay one
night"
Mr.. Hall was evidently disturbed in his
mind by this unexpected passenger.
"Tm glad to have your company, ma'am,"
he said pHlitely. There's a good many
days that l ride 'thout havin' no one
TO speak to. l hope you amt had pre-
sent ment, hev you, Mis- PiperP"
IL amt no believer in no such things as
present ments; an if was inclined that
way, would mt give in to it. No, t amt
that; but I've jest had it on my mind ever
since took off my things at Sister FL
fields last night that something was wrong
to home. 1t came over me jest as Sister
Ftield was a-lightin' her sittin' room lamp;
an spoke right out then, an says |, Il
hope William wont NEEDLE with the kero-
sene lamps An the more thought on
1t, the more likely it seemed to me that
he'd try an light one. hope everything
S all right; but t would MT s'prise me to
find the house burned to ashes"
"Great Peterl Mis- Piper" responded
the driver, 81 don't wonder you re anx-
ious to get there. Hope Atkins III be on
this side when we get TO the ferry, SOS to
save time"
Mrs. Piper did not reply; she was evil
IDENTIFY in desponlent frame of mind,
and several miles were travelled in silence.
Then Mr. Hall spoke again:
"When spring comes, Mis- Piper, want
you to cut me off some little sprouts of
your willer-tree. l mean to set 'em out
round my place"
"YOu'll be welcome to 'em, Mr.. Hail.
May is the best time to set 'em out That
tree is jest like folks to me. tell Mis-
Stone it seems like neighbour" replied
Mrs. Piper,
"Mr. Piper amt never got it into his
head to cut that down, has hep" inquired
Mr.. Hall.
Mrs. Piper INDUCED in faint laugh.
"No; t amt seemed to wear on him as
those near the house did, and he knows I'd
never listen to it, nohow."
1t was dull and tiresome ride. Both
driver and passenger seemed oyershadowed
by the possible conhagration, and Mrs. Pr
Pc ollShISu az hei OWh BdIo WIFI certain
surprised feeling of relief at finding the
house still standing.
"Sha'n't stop for you tomorrow ag'in,
shall I?'' inquired Mr.. Hall-a feeble at
tempt at joke which Mrs. Piper did not
notice.
'Jest as l expected" she exclaimed as
she pushed open the kitchen door and saw
Mr.. Piper extended on two chairs.
"Whatever possessed you, William, to
try to light one of those lamps. anyway
Where be you burned the wust?"
81 amt burned. Who told you 1 was
bunedP My legs cut" replied Mr.. Piper,
after a surprised stare at his wife's unex-
pected appearance.
'Did the lamp explode, or whatP" con-
tinued Mrs. Piper. christening her shawl.
81 tell We l hidnIt meddle with no lamns