Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-03-16

NJ, NtlllltI uOOo SiCBS' NOl
anybody. I'd better go now, in.
stead OF staying here and making you
dismal, I'm always being disagree
able"
"No, you are not. You only tell
me the truth"
"Telling the truth is the most OBJ
noxious way in which man can make
himself disagreeable as general
thing"
evil you not stay and dine? You
never stay with us now
"Thank you, but there will be com
pany and / am dull. People don't
want dullness at dinner"
Elsie shrugged her shoulders, after
an expressive but inelegant fashion
she had.
"They usually get it, whether they
want it or not.
She looked after him rs he went
out, wondering why he never could be
like other people. Then she fell to
musing upon the criminal inadequacy
of the law. 1t had been evolving for
centuries and was still unable to de-
eide the Mesa land case in Wills favor.
What fossilized institution it was |!
No wonder Barclay was dull.
In the autumn Barclay took vaca'
ton. He also took away the breath
of the office. Barclay had not before
had vacation since he was gram
mar school boy.
Next thing" said Hal, "Mount
Shasta will apply for leave of absence
and go of on yachting excursion in
northern seas.
The autumn rains were falling on
the Pacific slope A pale-green vel.
vety carpet was being woven over the
wide plains. The Pacific summer had
begun. bitches which had by cour-
tesy borne the name of rivers had
suddenly put forth legitimate claim to
the appellation. Bridges We're washed
away, trains were delayed and ran on
each others time; telegram went
astray. Thus it happened that the
Westward.bound passenger crashed
into a freight that was lumberin5
along to the East, aud in an instant
became mass OF splintered wood and
bent metal.
When Barclay began to realize him
self he was crawling out from under
two heavy timbers that had SO inter
fered with each other in falling as to
avoid crushing him under their weight.
He had always thought the advantage
of having few wits was that if they
happened to be lost it would not take
long to pick them up again. He
breathed few times to see if he could
and in moment was hard at work
tearing away the heavy fragments Of
the wreck, helping to release those
less fortunate than he. One after an
other he carried out, some grooming
with pain and more quite still, having
passed forever beyond the world O
pain.
He heard mans voice calling fol
help. Putting forth all his strength,
he lifted away the heavy pieces Of
wood from the place whence the
sounds came. The man crawled out
stood erect when he was quite free
from his prison and gave utterance tc
a succession of oaths that struck will
grim deviltry against the appalling
awiulness of the scene. Lying at hi
feet was dead woman, her fac,
turned up pathetically towards tn,
stars. There was something fascinat
ing about man who could give wa,
to tide of profanity in such place
Barclay followed him few steps
GLOW can you say such horribl
words when you have just escaped ST
awful a death?"
"The very reason | can, hereplied
grutiiy. "If l hadn't escaped
couldn't say them
Something in his voice rang famil
iarly upon Barclays memory. He fol
lowed yet further.
81 know You now. I was comm
to see YOU
The man turned and faced hir
abruptly,
Barclay, by all that's fiendish!'
He stood silent for a while as
made speechless by surprise.
"You must be growing neighborly
You are not used to paying me VII
it's"
cts the first time you ever ha
anything | wanted. "
81 thought it couldn't be for Low
you had come"
"Not for love of you"
They were walking towards q
adobe hat that stood by the roadside
When they reached it they entere
and seated themselves by table
the middle of the floor, facing eac
other.
"What is it You want? You hay
been long in coming for it, whatev'
it is"
"You, at least, should not complai
of my lack of promptness. 1t h
, given you plenty of rope to har
yourself with. Why didn't you?'
"Perhaps should if L had know
1 that you were coming. As you Al
here you may save me the trouble"
, "You are the contestant in the Me-
case?"
G "Wbat is that to you?"
| 'It concerns you only that it
. something to NE"
= He took paper from his peck
S and laid it before him.
81 want you to sign that.
p. The man scowled as he read it.
: was a REIMBURSEMENT of ell claim
= the Mesa land
/ 81 won't do it,"
g al think you will"
$ "Why do you think SOP"
/ "You will remember first the pa
I ticular thing for which you are want,
If over on the Atlantic coast. Then W
will reflect upon the effect of Easte
l. atmosphere upon the health of III,
}. who is wanted as badly as you AZ
h After mature consideration, you W
Il decide to sign"
He pulled a pistol from his poke
d Barclay struck it from his hand, al