Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-07-14

himself as the minister gropeu nis way
from the room.
Mrs. Patterson CHANGED to be in the
passage quite close to the door when
the clergyman came out. why did the
deceitful old wretch let me believe that
story all these years" she whimpereu'
forgetting the part her Imagination
had played. II wish you'd ask him
about the picture and the mince pie he
needn't sniff at my pie"
The minister told his wife that now
he understood how myths and legends
came to be and how they were handed
down, receiving a new shape from every
thumb. He said, however, that he con-
sidered it safer for the mythmakers TO
wait until the subjects of their tales
were dead.
When old Blake's denial of his love
story became known half the people
thought it to be only representative
ness, and still believed him to be the
faithful lover.
Anger seemed to speed his GONZALES
cence and before many weeks he was
able to totter down Main street to sit by
the cannon stove in the back part of his
store and to swear at his clerks. No
body dared to speak openly to him about
his so-called affair, but he read il in
their half-smiles and avoidance of his
eye.
Jim Beal came in one day to buy some
shot. He congratulated the old man on
his recovery, with q reminiscent grin at
the spoiled love story.
II suppose you've heard that tom
foolery about me" the old man growled.
Yes; | have. Can't remember. Mr..
Blake, when l didn't think you'd had
disappointment"
disappointment" snorted Blake.
What am going to do? Can't out
i've that-nonsense?
"You might publish denials in the
county papers, as people do when they
want to say they're not candidates for
office. Just say you're not candidate
for marriage"
"I'ye got to do something. Every
baby on the street shows its teeth when
go by. Take a chair. Jim, and kinda
ell me what TO say"
Two rush-bottomed chairs. with sag
cling seats, were by the stove, which
stood with its feet buried in a square
box of sand. On one side was the
bookkeeper's high desk, and on the
other some secondhand cook stoves.
red with rust; overhead dangled bird
cages and wire mousetraps. Jim called
IL "Blake's boudoir."
wait a minute. till see what that
scoundrel is selling that kettle for."
cried the old man, shutting to the front
of the store.
Left alone, Jim looked into the bow
els of the cannon stove, a wicked smile
lifting the corners of his eyes.
"Well, said Blake. coming back and
taking the second chair, "have you
of way?"
yes" said Jim; II suppose we can't
put it too strong. for you want to carry
conviction TO the heart of every man.
woman and child in Benford county.
Give me a piece of paper and I'll make a
draft" He scratched his ear with his
pencil for moment and then wrote
rapidly:
"How's this?''
Know all by these presents that /. Ezra
Martin Blake. have never looked at q
woman except in the way of business. Also
that never made matrimonial engage
ment with either maid or widow. nor con-
Icmplated entering the holy estate Of mar
rage with either OF the aforesaid classes.
All persons who say to the contrary arc
willful and malicious liars. Signed and
attested by me.
EZRA MARTIN BLAKE"
How does that strike you?" Jim con-
cluded.
First rate"-the old man struck his
fist on his knee. "I'll have il put in the
Chronicle and the Searchlight both
What charges, Jim?" he asked, doubt
fully. for Blake was as close as an oys-
ter.
"Oh, nothing" Jim answered, airily.
Its pleasure TO execute such doc
nment.'
You lawyers are generally high
Blake grunted. He never
could be gracious.
When the Searchlight came out on the
Tuesday Jim was as much sur
prised at what he read as was the rest
IF the town. When Blake took his no
ice to the printing Office he found il
would cost just as much 9s one twice |
as long. Bound TO get his moneys
WORTH he altered il so that il read thus:
KNOW all by these presents. that !. |
Ezra Martin Blake, In addition to keeping |
he lowest-priced hardware In Shewanee, |
lave never looked at a woman except IT. |
he way of business. Also that l have never |
made matrimonial engagement with |
maid or widow. although have lately made |
! sweeping reduction in shelf hardware. |
Tor contemplated entering the holy estate |
4 marriage with either OF the aforesaid |
lasses, but am still at my old stand sell |
ng the Rose Leaf cook stoves at cost. Al. |
persons who say 10 the contrary are wlllfu' |
md malicious liars. Brass kettles for soap l
polling always on hand. Signed and at |
ested by me.
EZRA MARTIN BLAKE.
IN. B.-Axes and saws at half price &c /
educe my stock"