The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1898-11-25

al IIklL duEISs4 was d III lu1C phbA bhRb
guided the traveller by marked trees to
the town on "t'other side the hilltop"
The moonlight was streaming into this
path and myriad branches made a shad-
owy lattice-work where the crusted snow
sparkled. Footsteps were heard and
some startled creature of the woods
rustled across the path.
The girl strained her e es to penetrate
the shadows, the footsteps drew nearer,
and boy Of II approached from the
brIdle-path. He wore a tox-skin cap and
an old pea-jacket that might have been
the relic of some ancestor. The girl, his
sister greeted him somewhat reprovir gly.
at is late, Reuben. Granther and
granny would have been worritted had
they not fallen asleep by the fireplace.
Where have you been?'
81 went with Paul Holcomb to watch
for an otter" replied Reuben. "Then l
stopped at Paul's to eat fried muah for
supper"
His sister looked at him wistfully and
her lips were remulous. He seemed to
understand the question that she did not
venture.
mo, Ruth" said he soberly, "they
have heard no word from Abner. His
brothers are afraid that he has jlned the
rebels down in the valley, but his n other
says that would not be like Abner."
"Of course not" said Ruth quickly.
but he ought to come home" contin
ued Reuben. The farm ork needs him
Granny says man of % ought to settle
down and marry and not be SO wild anc
rowing"
Tut, tut, RuebeD," said his sister
granny was always hard on Abner. HI
was born hunter, and father says tina
he got his wandering habits from camI
life. Did ye hear anything ABOUT the do
ings among the rebels, Reuben?"
He put out his hand with silencips
gesture and he looked carefully at tn,
shadows as if listeners might be amonf
the trees and bushes.
"Let no one hear We calling them reb
els, Ruth" he replied, "Father has call
ed them that too often already. Isaat
Holcomb says that Mark Strong went tt
the inn last night and heard them threat
ening father. wish father had not gon
away to-day to see about the machiner,
for the grist-mill he's planning"
Ruth again looked anxiously towar,
the inn. She could hear it's huge sigl
II in Ina IfuF ind hot
sit is well lighted" said she, II say
many men going in that direction earle
in the evening. Do you think they vii
come near us, Reuben, with no one her
to protect us?"
~ and granther are here" said he
with much dignity.
Eyes, yes, Reuben. But wish fathe
were here also and-and Abner."
81 wish that Abner were here, too,
said Reuben. ''If Abner were in thes
I parts, 1 do not believe that sailor woui
be around so much, urging men who f
, for their country to take up arm
, against it,"
30 Reuben, is the sailor back again
: "Yes, Ruth. They say he's sale
; some men t'other side the hilltop, an
they are coming over here tonight t
e find him. They are going to hasten o
8 to the doings in the valley"
Ruth clutched his arm. Then the
I will march right past here, ReubenF'
Eyes, Ruth, il they do not stop to civ
fathers buildings warming as they al
! irving those who oppose them over
Berkshire. Isaac Holcomb says the
hate father because lie has more none
than bis neighbors, and the sailor hat,
: him because father drove him away whe
: he came here to feast his eyes on q
pretty face Of one Ruth Homan.'
Il 'sFather served him right, Reuben. Z
/. does not believe his claim that he WI
: one of Paul Jones's seamen, or q bra,
q soldier like Abner. Oh, Reuben, no
can our own neighbors forget that faith
g was also soldier and granther rnou
|, tain ranger, and simply because faith
e does not think as they do about taxes 81
. the issue OF money! See how the ligh
d are moving about at the innl wond
n what they are doing down there
sI aPlsying cards, no doubt" said Re
ben. drinking brandy and cider.