The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-12-15
ORIGINAL STORY.
How Maud Everedge.Saved the Town,
and Her Reward.

1t was on the goth of November, 49,,
that the events occurred which form
the foundation of my story. Winter
came late that year at Centreville and
the ground, although frozen, was as
drv and bare of snow as in midsummer,
On this day excitement ran high in the
usually dull, quiet village of Centre
vile, an excitement that manifested
itself by utter neglect of work in the
day time and the gathering together at
the smaller village or Center, of by far
the largest part of its farming com
munity; an excitement also shown by
anxious, disturbed faces, and deep,
absorbing interest il conversation, by
those thus gathered in groups on its
streets, or in larger numbers in an an
cient building of nondescript appear
ance, dignified by the name OF town
house, the doors of which, upon this
day, stood invilingly open.
It was not election day, neither were
there visable signs of any public cele-
= bration. What could it all mean ?
Doubtless we shall find an explanation
in the large yellow handbills, seen in
the hands of nearly every other person,
and adjoining in large numbers the
doors of the townhouse, forming a
strange contrast to their dark weather
beaten woodwork. These handbills
containing the following information:
"GOLDl GOLD GOLDl Hurrah
for Klondke, Alaskal Fortunes made
in single day. The chance of life
time. A syndicate about to be formed.
Anyone can join for $500. We want
you, and you, and you. An important
meeting at the townhouse November
goth, day time and evening. This day
only. Respectfully,
MR.. ALLAN SMITH,
Mr.. CAsPAR COLE.
Now Centreville was situated forty
miles from railroad station on one
side and hemmed in largely from the
outer world by green mountains on
the other three. Its people were most
ly uneducated, unused to the ways OF
the world, and were what is popularity
called behind the times; yet they pos
sessed, as a rule, such sterling qualities
as courage, industry, sturdy self-reli-
ance, intense loyalty to their religion,
their homes and their country; and
some few amongst them, aware of the
limitations and privations OF their own
lot in life, were making heroic efforts
that their sons and daughters should
have opportunities for culture and edu-
cation far exceeding their own.
Foremost among those was Frank Ev-
eredge. The death of his father when
he was only fifteen, and the necessity of
helping his mother to gain living for
themselves and younger brother,
from the stony, heavily mortgaged
farm upon which he lived, ended for
ever his school days and all thoughts
of studying for profession. He gave
up all with an apparent cheerfulness
that deceived all but his mother, and
went about the work of the farm with
the same ambition and energy that had
characterized his school days.
The long busy years passed steadily
away, bringing many changes. His
mother died, his youngest brother grew
up self-reliant and able to do for him
self. Frank Everedge married, and
children came to bless his home.
Maud, his eldest, inherited her fathers
love for study and was already looking
with longing eyes toward college edu-
cation. Ruth, blue eyed, sunny faced
Ruth, inherited her mothers taste for
music and could already sing like q
thrush, and desired an organ and a
music teacher. Paul, the eldest boy,
showed marked business ability which
needed cultivation, and Willie, poor
lame Willie, must be shielded and cared
for as long as God spared his frail life.
Is it any wonder that for these, his
children, the old ambitious dreams of
Frank Everidge's boyhood came back
again, and he lopged to do for them
far more than the meagre returns of
his well titled farm would allowp
The utmost that he and his wife
had been able to do, as yet, after
years of incessant toll with hands and
brain and strict economy, was to pay off
the mortgage on his fathers farm and
send Maud for year at Lewiston
academy. l mistake, he had done
more than that. BY his upselish life
and ever ready willingness to help a
friend or neighbor, and keen business
ability in affairs of public importance
he had made himself loved and honored
throughout the town. What Frank
Everedge did or said was quoted far
and near.
To such a man in the prime of his
sturdy manhood came the sudden call
to go to the Klondike-a call that found
a ready response in his heart, and ex-
cited beyond reason nature naturally
enthusiastic and courageous. With all
his heart he wanted money; not for
himself, but for his dear ones. Why
should he not try his fortunes in Alaska
gold mining? His wife, far calmer
than he, and doubtful of the success OF
the proposed expedition, used every ar
gument and gentle entreaty she could
think of, against his going.
But we have wandered far from the
y town house and the excitement of the
day. Let us go back with Frank Ever.
edge to the evening meeting. The room
was crowded 10 its fullest capacity and
Allan Smith and Caspar Cole occupied
the platform. Mr.. Smith was man OF
tall, commanding form and magnetic
presence. His eyes and hair were coal
black and his mouth entirely concealed
beneath heavy moustache. Mr.. Cole
was his exact opposite as regards per
sonal appearance. He seemed to have
but one object in life, namely, to EN-
pbasize and repeat whatever his partner