Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-03-25
AT THE TURN OF THE ROAD,
by Belle Moses.
copyright. 1897, by the Author


John's laugh sounded distinctly tri.
umphant as he took his seat beside Jer.
~ on the box.
The individual addressed said moth.
ing but turned contemptuous glance
toward the slender footman on his left
as he gathered up the reins. The spirit.
ed horses needed no touch of the whip
they drew the carriage rapidly along the
silent streets. The night was bitterly
cold, but they were blooded animals and
there was fire in their veins. Jerry had
them under firm control, however. He
sat erect, looking neither to one side nor
the other, the collar of his sable cap
drawn high up over his ears, entirely
hiding his face in its impenetrable
gloom.
John grew FESTIVE under the silence,
which, added to the cold, was unbear-
able. The murmur of voices coming
from the interior Of the carriage pro-
voked him once more to speech.
Listen to that now. They're havin
it hot. / can tell you, that amt billin
and cooin. You couldn't hide the pepper
and vinegar in there
John jerked his finger backward and
downward in his most expressive man
ner "No-not if you was to swamp it
in molasses. "
Without relaxing his hold on the
rens Jerry turned his head toward his
companion.
shut upW he commanded, and there
was something in the strong, smooth
shaven face which compelled obedience
The younger man subsidized at once,
but it was clear that he still held to his
own opinion, for he smiled significantly
once or twice as an occasional angry
tone was waited from below. He folded
his arms across his slight expanse of
chest and cooked his head on one side,
waiting for Jerry to speak. He was a
smart lad in small way and knew the
weaknesses Of his superior. He was sure
Jerry's tongue would wag before the
journeys end, if only in defense Of the
couple inside. and John was not mis-
taken. He presently came out of his col
lar and began to talk in an admonishing
though conciliatory manner. IF was
In your place. young one," he said,
breaking a long pause, II would be
careful about meddlin with other peo-
ple's concerns I'd like to know what
difference it could make to you if Mr..
and Mrs. Arnold had high words every
night Of their lives, which they don't.
They get along as we'll as any young
married folks and better than most.
Why, man, I've drove for Mr.. Carpen-
ter Chats Miss thel's-Mrs. Arnold q
-father) ever since was chap your
size and I've drove the three young la
dies in turn, first to the church and
then for whole year after they were
married, and this l tell you is the finest
pair Of them all 1"
You're right about that" owned
John. at isn't the lookin, it's the &C.
ton, that gets me-"
lyon We always got your ears cooked.
What did you hear tonight" asked Jer.
~, hiding beneath his severe aspect 9
very natural curiosity mingled with 6
great deal Of family pride, on the alert
to resent anything that looked like i'm
pertinence on Johns part. Jerry was &
very stanch supporter Of the family dig
nifty.
~ heard and seen both," ASSERTED
John, quite willing to be drawn out
~ was standin on the sidewalk holdiI
the carriage door open when they conn
down the steps. Mr.. Arnold was a-mut
term to himself kinder, with blacl
scowl on his face, and the mistress sh,
said something very low, and he an
swered, mad as thunder, BE silentl
Just like one of them fellers on tn
stage, and she turned as white as chalk
They both got into the carriage, and h
slammed the door. You heard him
didn't your Well, / don't call that rea
lovin.'
"Humphr' said Jerry. you DON
know thing about it. / just listenet
for some such tale as that. Johnny, yoV
must never judge by outside appear
Inces. Those two don't take on much il
public"
Don't they?" sneered John derisive
ly. 1--WE took on land enough for al
the cabbies to hear and grin to their
selves. You mark my words, jerry
that this couple inside amt goin t
live together in peace and harmony TO
long. Hark to that nowi What woul
you call it?"
Both were silent Each was strainin
his ears to catch the stified sounds from
the carriage 1t was woman's distress
cd weeping broken by sobs which n
one could mistake.
Jerry's rugged face grew a trife pale
he set his teeth and laid his whip Wit
uninten tional force across the unoffend
ing backs Of the two horses. They start
ed forward with an energy which
took some minutes to subdue, at the en-
Of which time he was able to spea
quite naturally.
II didn't hear anything so wonder
full. don't never set myself to IL =!
and spy ON people like You do II you
been born deaf, Johnny, you'd ha
oiled your place better"
"You know she's cryin hard-you
Just putin me off,"
well, suppose she is" admit
Jerry, not seeing we'll how he oou
dispute this fact. "R you weren't
fool-which 1 can't help it if you al
John-you'd understand people cry
lot Of things-sometimes for j.
nothin at ADJUST as the notion tai
EN- You couldn't tell by that If they
mad or glad"
UMavha oO roayha so-hut that the