St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-01-21

MONG other passengers
II from the train was a tall, DARK
Commissioned gentleman and Snort
chubby child, holding fast his Tree
hand. also mite of blue parasol,
From the geneltman's other hano
swung a travelling case and an uinorel-
la. The sun was yet high ana us rays
burning. 1t had been GREATNESS uay'
and although the station sat on 'he ou'-
skirts of Woodyille, thanked by nay
field and facing a meadow, the only
odor afoat seemed that of plank ana
paint. \ new sidewalk was being laid'
also the station platform was undergo
ing repairs; but Bools, the village
Observation-Disclosures" lounged beneath
n big chestnut tree whose leaves hung
yellow and limp on dry twigs.
Can you direct me to the Locust
Nest?" the tall gentleman asked this
lounger.
you can't miss it; it hides in the To-
Gust wood; the bus stands around
here and scrambling to his feet the
speaker led the way to low, narrow,
repellant vehicle which the child re-
fused TO enter.
"'Tis considerable loose in the joints,
little miss, but twill carry you safe
enough. Good land, no! 'tisnt a
hearse!
They rumbled over bridge, turned
another corner, rounded the village
square. struck into the Rooney road,
assembled a hill, hating on its shoulder
before a swinging white gate through
which a woman had just passed. The
house was delightfully."- old-fashioned.
DR.. Cyrus Flint and little daughter eX-
changed words Of approval as they went
up the gravelly path leading to the
great door. Largeness seemed all about
them-"these cramped-up city folks
and the bus driver who had run with
a message to the back door, added, in
parting: "Your nest must be getting
right full; five last week and two to-
night" lie was addressing Cathy, the
cook, whom Bools was counting.
Two front rooms off the upper hall
were assigned to the doctor, one of
which jutted over the side veranda and
was called the balcony chamber. In at
the open window the locust branches
peered, and above, almost within reach,
ewayed an orioles nest. A large waXen
doll sat in a chair and child's cot
stood in one corner The little girl
entered the chamber to look about, lay
ing the blue silk parasol on the table
while she removed her hat and pushed
back her damp, tumbled hair. The wee
cot with its spotless drapcries drew
her instantly. "See. father, this board
ing house lady must have known was
rather small. If your room is as pretty
as mine is let us live here for long
time"
A few hours later, refreshed, retoned,,
restored, the doctor and Grille went be-
low and met the boarders assembling
for dinner. When Mrs. Winters herself
approached the doctor started slightly.
Only Girie noticed the tremor and
frightened her wee warm clasp of his
big hand and looked up. a lady, a
very small lady, was looking down. The
very tip top of this lady comb reached
her fathers elbow. Bending to the
child, she said, with a winning smile:
Il hope that we shall become very good
friends"
perhaps we may" replied Grille,
with her most captivating nod and
smile, for she was greatly pleased with
every detail of her surroundings. After
dinner there followed an evening full
of chat, song and music. Each of the
company seemed to have forgotten how
high the thermometer was running
When the doctor left the circle that
evening Mrs. Winters again bent down
TO his little daughter and kissed her.
Good night" returned the child. 81
shall dream of the angels all night"
and her father added: "She is in love
with the couch, you see"
The next day the inmates of the nest
betook themselves to wood and stream,
and few went in the down bus to the
station, where 10 fresh-air children
were looked for, homes among villagers
and farmers awaiting them.
Mrs. Winters also went down and sat
in her phaeton with the doctors daugh-
ter beside her when the train pulled up.
The children were handed out, each
with a tag attached to his or her left
shoulder.
"Bools, bring me two of them. will
you? Prof. FiX-Rooney road?" Bools
stood at the Shetland's head, but moved
off AT this word toward the newcomers
returning soon with the Oldest and the
youngest of the group.
Pic addressed himself to the road
but just here the doctor on his new
mare and his dog leaping before him
rode by, wheeled and trotted back tC
the phaeton. "Oh, good morning." al
he lifted Grlie to his saddle, and pom,
and sorrel moved along together.
Il confess, doctor, stole your daugh
ter. These boys are tagged for my cous
in, who lives a half mile above tn
Nest"
us your pony good traveller? Thos
storm clouds are rolling up rapidly"
"les, very good; what a bark tina
dog hast"
"Soul-stirring, is it?" The speake
smiled, touched his hat aud the sorrt
daried ahead, whereat Pic shook him
self and quickened his pace. BY tie
o'clock the storm was raging throug
the town. Two churches were struc
by lightning, also chimneys and VIII