Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-04-02

"They was sech fine clo'es!" unused
the old man. 1.-THE coat he'd silk liE.
in Doctor said it war silk. An the
purtiest buttons!"
"An' them clo'es could a. ben fixed
up fer Bud when dad got done with
'em," said Liz.
The old man paled with sudden pas
sion.
II amt er goin' ter git done with
'em!" he said in a high voice. bud
shan't hey 'em. Doctor woman give
'em ter me. | never he'd no new clo'es
afore. But amt got 'em now. They're
STOLE"
He broke down into fearless sobs,
that shook the old chair.
Don't cry, Daddy all the women
called in unison, and they shed a few
perfunctory tears and passed the snuff
box around.
"You don't use tobacco in any form,
do yer, doctor?" asked one.
The doctor admitted that she did not,
and they looked steadily at her, trying
to realize the phenomenon. Weeks
passed and Daddy still crooned over the
fire in utter detection. Old age, pow
crty and loneliness, unhappy trio, were
his sole companions. 1t was now be-
lieved that the clothes would never be
recovered
Out in the woods one frosty morning
heavy foot crushed into the dead
leaves, and big chestnut, falling,
struck the owner of the foot on the
nose.
He raised his black face toward the
treetops.
Hi. Dey's drappin' all de time now,
an dey's heap better'n con-"
He sat down in his tracks and filled
his pockets and shirt front, eating
voraeiously the while.
Reckon I'd better be gwine now"
he said presently.
Raising. he picked his way like cat.
through the underbrush, climbing con-
stantly till he reached spot where a
huge bowlder cropped out and over
hung the mountain side. It's crest
commanding the whole valley, and its
shelving underside made coy shelter.
Thick pines crowded up and concealed
the entrance. The convict had been
so sharply hunted thathe had been un-
able to escape from the neighborhood,
and it was in the boldness of despera-
ton that he had chosen his retreat so
near the state road that he could hear
the voices of the country folk as they
passed to and from town.
He sat down to cogitate. EFF could
git word TO Rosy. or git to Rosy, I'd be
all right; but, Lordy! can't do nary
one on EN-"
The train whizzed out from cutting
and whistled sharply as it bore along.
I he negro grinned with pleasure. He
was so much savage that this nomadic
existence, though hunted and tortured
by fear. was sweet to him.
''Howdy, gemmen!" he chuckled, as.
peering through the pine boughs, he
some of his fellow-convicts
on the train. Don't you wish you was
me? Plenty grub, heap O. new clo'es
and no work to do. Ho, ho!"
He rose and drew out bundle. UNI
lid it, viewed its contents with series
Of laughing explosions, and then pres
emily dotted his striped suit and ar
rayed himself anew.
Mighty fine clo'es fer a fac; cost a
heap o money"
He softly patted his limbs, twisted
his neck to get glimpse Of his back,
and creased all his black face into one
big smile. A mirror would have made
bis rapture perfect.
"Rosy won't know me in desc we're.
She'll TEX me fer a preacher jest from
.onfunce.'
He changed back to his striped suit
ind tied up his bundle. A sharp wind
,prang up and drove before i drops of
cy rain.
"Golly!" muttered the darkey. Amt |
t cold?" III resk fire arter dark"
Down on the doctors farm every
,ody was hurrying to gel the crops un
Ter shelter. Thv last load had gone in |
, hen julie Fraley looked up NJ the sky. |
The clouds were rolling up like cur
ain, showing the far mountains deep,
intense blue etched with an amber sky. |
burned eff it's going to storm, after
H. said julie.
Suddenly he Strengthened himself
"Bud.' he called sharply. Look
on on the mountain. Amt tibet
mokc?"
Bud could see as far as an Indian.
YES. thet's smoke"
"Ther' amt no house thar
Nav. Nary house."
julie walked away briskly.
Two hours later five men parted the
pines and tip-toed eau
iously toward small opening under
great rock on the mountain side. A
5hiff of warm air stole our to them.
great bed of Goals glowed redly, and,
nth his feet to the fire. a negro in con-
let dress lay sound asleep. The menN
ad their guns ready. One pointed his
iece upward and shot tore through
he tree tops. The negro was on his
eet in en- instant.
"We've got you." said one.
He looked from one to the other and
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