The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-08-18
SELECTED STORY.
The Lead Pencil.

If nv wife has failure it is lack of
reverence. She doesn't recognize those
property rights which should inhere
to the personal belongings of hus-
band. got the expression at meet
ing of the Spartan Reform Club, and
ii struck me as being good. If l re-
member right it was uttered by a fell
low with a chronic distaste for work,
whose wife supported him by dress
making. / didn't tell Mile where |
got the expression when l quoted it to
her, but she Immediately said;
"That sounds like Jeff Sinks"
Then she laughed. NJ wife has a
very musical laugh.
think l was mildly reprimanding
her at the time for mislaying the gim-
let. I'm the most particular fellow
you ever saw about keeping everything
In its place. When ! want tool of
any kind want to know just where to
lay my hands on it. It's kind Of re-
ligion with me, and it hurts me terri
bly, to find things in confusion. That's
where my wife's lack of reverence
comes in. She has no respect for my
eleventh commandment - order is
heavens first law.
1t isn't alone gimlets, it is hammers
and screws-drivers, and knives, and
Lord knows what all. Why, she has
even tempered with my razorsl
l offered to buy her razor of her
own the last time she meddled with
mine, but she said she guessed we
didn't really need but one in the house.
WI at can you do with such woman?
Well, now as you understand my
wife's failing-I'll admit it's her great
est one-I'll 60 on with my story with
which it is connected.
One day last July, Jim Outhwick
came into the station just as i was clos
ing up to 60 to supper. Jim is the
paymaster at the Vulcan Mills, and
right good fellow.
"Hello, Joe," he says; call alone?"
eyes," said; "what's up?"
He flung canvas grip on the table
and said:
81 must 90 down the road tonight to
Ashville. There's talk of a strike
among the miners, and I've got to be
on hand first thing in the morning.
I'm to offer to pay off the disaffected
ones and make big show OF my
money. That's bluff that generally
goes. The boys1l make up their minds
the company can't be scared, and
they'll. get into line again. There's
twenty-six thousand dollars in that bag,
Joe."
looked at the bag on the table and
looked back at Jim.
'sWhat do you bring it here for9" l
says.
s'That's easily explained" he an
swered.
81 got word to start for Ashville just
half an hour ago. The money was
made up in hurry and didn't have
time to 60 home. l couldn't very well
stay at the mill, and l wouldn't go to
the tavern. So just thought I'd
come down here and get you to stay
with me until the night freight comes
along. She's due at nine-thirty, isn't
she?"
"Nine thirty. five" 1 answered.
"But I'm just off for supper"
''Oh, that's all right" he said. 81
feel safe enough here. I'm armed to
the teeth, you know, and there wouldn't
be any danger until after dark. But
you'll come back and keep me compa-
ny, won't your"
II will il Minnie lets me off," said.
"I'm booked for cribbage with her after
supper" ,
Ou tell Minnie N DrlnR ner tne
prettiest cribbage board in Ashville if
she'll lend you couple of hours"
laughed Jim.
There was stout old safe in the cor
ner of the office that had nothing in it
but blank way bills and reports. l un-
locked it and tossed the canvas bag in
side.
"There," l said, as l thrust my
bunch of keys in my sack coat pocket,
"that makes it little safer"
l thought Jim looked bit dubious
over this precautiOn, but he laughed
and said: Gail right, my boy. I'll
make myself comfortable until you
come back"
Minnie didn't want me to 60 out one
bit, but told her Jim counted on me.
/ didn't say a word about the money,
however, knew it would worry her
and, to tell the truth, it worried me a
little. / was sorry Jim brought il
there, and didn't like his talk abou,
precautions.
Well, after supper went out to see
finest mastiff in the State-and when
came back Minnie called to me from the
eitting-roOm,-
"Just minute, Joe; Pm writing {
note to Hattie"
Hattie is the wife of the telegraph
operator, and l knew that Minnie
wanted me to leave it al the station
where he could get it in the morning
1t was quite a number of minutes
however, before she came out with tn
note, and my vest and coat. 1t was S
warm had left them off before sup
per.
Hadn't you better let the dog g
with you, joel" she asked, as sh
helped me with my coat.
"No, no." l said, laughing, " he'll
stay home and take care of you. l.