Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-08-11

Misery, w0 would not have lnterfered
for worlds, but in her unexpected choice
of Johnny Dear the most unworldly of
us knew that it was the first glimmer-
ing of feminine tact, her first submits
sion to the world of propriety that she
was now entering Johnny Dear was
undoubtedly the most presentable; even
more, there was an educational sugges-
ton i'll its prominent, mapped out
chronological organs. The adopted ia
theirs were loyal to their trust Indeed
for years afterward the blacksmith kept
the iron headed Misery OH rude shelf,
like shrine near his bunk. Nobody but
himself and Meary ever knew tho Sc
cret, stolen and thrilling interviews
that took place during the first days of
their separation.
Certain facts however, transpired
concerning Mary's equal faithfulness
to another of her children. 1t is said
that one Saturday afternoon when the
road manager Of tho new line was seat
ed in his Office at Reno in private bust
ness discussion with two directors
gentle tap was heard at the door. 1t
was opened to an eager little face, a
pair of blue eyes and blue pinafore.
To the astonishment of the directors q
change came over the face of the man.
ager. Taking tho child gently by the
band, he walked to his desk, OH which
the papers of tho new line were scatter
ed, and drew open drawer from which
he took large ninepin extraordinarily
dressed as doll The astonishment of
the two gentlemen was increased at tho
following quaint colloquy between the
manager and the child:
'Shes doing remarkably well in
spite Of tho trying weather, but l have
had to keep her very quiet, said the
manager, regarding the ninepin critic
ally.
"Ess," said Mary quickly. cts just
the same with Johnny Dear His cough
is righttul at night But Misery's all
right. I've just been to sec her."
There's IL good deal of scarlet fever
around" continued the manager with
quiet concern, land we can't be toe
careful. But shall take her for littlv
run down tho line tomorrow"
The eyes Of Mary sparkled and over.
flowed like blue water. Then there was
kiss, little laugh, shy glance at
tho two curious strangers the blue pin
afore fiuttcred away and the colloquy
ended. She was equally attentive in
her care Of the others, but the rag baby,
Gloriana, who had found q home in
Jim Cartcr'S cabin at the Ridge, living
too far for her visits, was brought down
regularly on Saturday afternoon TO
Mary's house by jim, tucked in asleep
in his saddlebags or riding CALAMITY
before him on the horn of his saddle.
On Sunday there was u dress parade of
all the dolls, which kept Mary in heart
for the next weeks desolation.
But there camo one Saturday and Sun
day WHOM Mary did not appear, and it
was known along the road that she had
been called to san Francisco to meet an
aunt who had just arrived from "the
States. 1t was vacant Sunday to
"the boys, n very hollow, unsanctified
Sunday somehow, without that little
figure. But tho next Sunday and the
next were still worse, and then it was
known that the dreadful aunt was max
ing much Of Mary and was sending her
to grand school-a convent at Santa
Clara-whero it was rumored girls were
turned out so accomplished that their
own parents did not know them. But
we knew that was impossible to our
Mary, and letter which came from her
at the end Of the month and before the
convent had closed upon the blue pima
fore satisfied us and was balm to our
anxious hearts. 1t was characteristic Of
Mary-it was addressed to nobody in
northumberland would but for the pru.
dence of tho aunt have been intrusted to
the postofiicO open and undirected. 1t
was single sheet, banded to us with
ont word by her father, but as we
passed it from hand to hand we under.
stood it as if we had heard our lost
playfellow voice:
"Thers more houses in Frisco than
you kin shake stick at and wimmens
till you kant rest, but mules and jack
asses amt got no sho, nor blacksmitfs
shops, witch is not TO be seen no wear.
Rapits and sllwirls also barcs and pan
fers is on-noun and unforgotten on ac-
count of the streets and Sunday skoles.
Jim Roper you orter be very good to
Mizzery ON kount Of my not bein here,
and not harten your hart to her bekos
she is top heavy-which is ontroo and
simply an imptient lie-lil;e you allus
make. ! have a kinary bird wot sings
deiteful, but isn't yellerhamer sutch
| ms l know as you'd think Dear Mister
Montgomery, don't keep Gulan AM
plak to mutch shet up il Office drors. 1t
isn't good for his lungs and chest. And
don't you ink his head-nother. You're
as bad as the rest. Johnny DeG', you
must be very kind to your attoptod fa-
ther, and you, Glory Anna, must low
your kind Jimmy Carter very mutoh
| for takin you hossback so often. have
been bu2zy ridin twist with an OFFICER
who has killed lnjuns real. l am COM
in back soon with crate affecshun, SO
luke ont and mind"
But it was three years before she re.
turned, and this was her last and only
! letter. The adopted fathers of her
children were faithful, however, and
when the new line was opened and it
was understood that she was to be pres
ent with her father at tho ceremony
they came, with common understand
ing, to the station to meet their old
| playmate. They We're ranged along the
! PLATFORM poor Jack Roper little over
weighted with bundle he was carry