Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-05-28
JSTICE WAS SLOW.

SIlCE w Az NLUW.
lefty fcols dreadful, doesn't she, now
ration day is comingS'
cs, and ! don't wonder" And her
hit face cloudod and dropped bit.
Fec here, Nutty, it makes mo wish"
Eaid between his set teeth, "almoSt
there was nothing like Decoration
How is fellow TO go up to town
and carry wreaths and march in the
,ssiun to tho tuno of the bands and
ything, nearly killing himself to do
pr to the soldiers in tho civil war, and
K of Hctty Dunscombc sitting there
lc corner of that little brown house,
ing her fingers in her cars and hiding
Face so Us not to hear or see anything
aud all of the year / have to bear 1t,
king of Hctty Dunscunbo, drcading
,ration day, and now It has come"
Natalie between her sobs.
OK camo up suddenly to her side, and,
hg his hand ON his sisters shoulder,
Il has como for tho last timc. am
going TO find out tho truth about
y's grandfather and fix 1t once for all,
nat the town shall not have to say cv-
timo Decoration day comes around that
Q is ono grave which Bricr Ilill cannot
brnto with any sort of self respect. -
Natty," and Rex leaned forward and
sporcd, Il don't believe that Ilctty
scombo's grandfather ever ran away
he edge of tho battle in all this world.
here"
Oh, Rex" cried Natalie, show can
say SOY Nobody would ever believe
story, if you do mako it good ono.
20 years.
Now, let's mako u committee of two,
instead of picking flowers, making
aths and marching in the procession,
nd the time in seeing if wG can't get
10 news about Hctty's grandfather and
s mako it our Offering to Mrs. Duns
be- and lGotty's dear old grHndmothcr,
to all the little Dunscombos, big and
q, " finished Rex, with whoop Of de-
t.
hat afternoon after school Pastor Bean
two callers In his study. He loft his
lday sermon, stuck fast In the " ffthly,"
he'd up his spcctaclcs over his forehead
asked them to sit down, then folded
hands, matching his fingers and
mbs neatly together, and waited for
IN to speak.
Mr.. Bean, said Natalie, feeling rs II
last hour had come, 81 wish, we both
h, and guess everybody else wishes -
h here she stuck fast, unable to go on
h another word.
Rex then plunged in.
Mr.. Bean" ho said "it seems too bad
Hotty Dunscombe to DO crying her Dyes
Decoration day. Doesn't itf"
Pastor Bean gave a loud ahcm and
ked helplcssly at the young people, while
brow darkencd.
1t is very solemn thing" he said,
pr person TO commit "a sin, and to break
S word is bad enough, but to be de-
ter from the army when our country
S in peril Is terrible, and for black sin
ono ought to lay wreath on John
nscombe's grave on Decoration day"
Oh, Mr.. Bean! Suppose it was your
her or grandfather
My denr Natalie" exclaimed the pas
starting back, "you don't suppose for
hinuto that my father or grandfather
uld have run away on tho edge of bat
'Oh, no, no" said Natalicin confusion.
II course | don't suppose so, but then he
ght. You would feel dreadfully.
ow you would, and just think Of Ben
d Polly and your little Ned crying al
pst to denth over Decoration day. Oh,
I. Beam Do let's find out If Mr.. Duns-
mbe did really run away from his com
by"
Pastor Bean ooughed, took out his
fgo. red bandanna, wiped his face sever.
times, his spoctaclcs tumbling off in his
Fvousncss, so that it was some time be
10 he was finally restored to order
pugh to resume the conversation.
Well, we'll, WELL" he said, arousinp
Il of his reverie to meet the waiting eyes
tho young people that were fastened OF
face. "Of course l will do all | cam
But, MIR. Bean" broke in Rex, ant
W all his timidity seemed to have rush
away, and he felt as bold as mountain
|n, "you see wo have not much time t,
10. Decoration day comes next week
ID you know we have lots to do if w
ld out that John Dunsoombc, after all
j not run away"
"Heyi" exclaimed tho old Clergyman
Df course he ran away"
But we don't know that, said Re-
Idly. Ho stood quito close now to tn,
inistcr's chair.
Dear mel" said the old clergyman
Well, I'll think about IL, and may DO W,
N do something"
Tho old clergyman got out Of his chat
ddenly and reached for his tall hat
hen no got it on his head, he felt quit
mself again, but Natalie and Rex, feel
g sure that If they lost sight Of hin
zen tho opportunity would never COM
gain, followed close after, and MS sooI
he stood on tho fiat doorstonc opening
1T from tho study they trotted after 70
hforced by tho Bean family inclusive.
Parson Bean looked up at the sky ant
bwn at tho ground and ON either hand
@ had always snid that he loved children
nd young people and should never be s,
red hut he could see the youthful mem
prs of his flock.
But he was getting q little too much o
lom now, and he wished tho whole sevol
them back in their respective places
living him good safe distance between
iem. First, like flash of lightning
anne these ringing sentences: "Why hav
ou not done this before?" Next, "Wh
INIT you do it nowS'
In moment he said, "Well, young pee
no." and he smiled as he turned aroun
pom them, GWEN do it,
"All right" cried Rex. when tn
minister says he'll do thing, hen do
f.oma aiop0 now all Of v0u -