Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-08-25
Nal" pulled Needham. rubbing bis

preference like ere, an least o. all Mes
ter Atkin theer. whose better able ter
lose than"
Quite right, quite right, Mr.. Atkin."
interposed the lawyer, placing the
palms of his hands together. "You are
technically correct. / had that in
mind"
"But 'ow abaat my slates?" ques-
toned Needham. Cant get 'em back,
fur think most of ems still at Mrs.
Morris shop?"
I'm afraid not! no. Tn afraid not.
They will have to be sold, and the pro-
ceeds will be properly administered"
"Ay." argued Needham, but when
that's been done. an you've ed your
pull, and Mester Atldn ere hes he'd is,
there WANT be much worth tn pickin'."
81 merely state the law" said Mr..
Spencer, jerking his pen into the ink
bottle.
"oh. hang tn law! What wants is
Justice"
The lawyer made no reply. For a few
moments his pen scratched over the
paper, while the afternoon sun
etreamed in through the little square
panes, lighting up the shabby attire
and the pale, parchment-like features
of Martha Morris.
II suppose / am right, Mrs. Morris, in
saying you have no offer to maker"
said the lawyer, looking up.
II dunno what ter say, sir"
II mean you have no proposition to
make that these proceedings may be
suspended with the prospect of you ul-
timately clearing off your indebted
ness?"
mo. sir, amt"
"Then, gentlemen, if you are all
agreed we may
"pm thinlxin', Mrs. Norris" said
Tuckwell, the local preacher, "that yer
goes to the Parish church,"
Eyes, sir-sometimesl"
"Ah. just sol" and he began tapping
his fingers with rather more energy.
swell, so do II" said Needham, who.
having had his temper ruffled, was pre-
pared TO quarrel with somebody. $50
do /, but don't see as 'ow that's got
owt ter do witt"
II think" replied Tuckwell, I'm en-
titled ter ask Mrs. Morris some ques-
tons. Amt that so, lawyer"
"Of course, of course; any questions
that may throw light on how the in
solvency was brought about"
well, you fire ahead, Tuckweli,"
said Needham, sticking his arms as far
as they would go in his breeches pocket.
and stretching his legs out straight.
Ego ahead, an you bully-rag the 'owd
wumman, an wen wait till you've
DONE"
"Then yer NIT tell us, Mrs. Morris"
said Tuckwell, unheeding the remon-
STRANGE, SOW much you've been mekin
these last few months like"
sometimes one thing, sometimes
another, Mester Tuckwell," said Martha
Morris, in her thin, cracked voice.
Sometimes I've made as much as THU
teen shillin' an sometimes nobbut
much abuv seven"
"Ah. just so. Yer niver tho't O. ply
in ter church folks?"
"No, sir. / was niver exackly wi'out
sup / tn 'ouse."
"But yer knew as how yer was Twin
on yer capital"
"Yis, SIR, I'll not be denyin' that.
But soort o. 'spected things nd work
round, an they didn't"
"An-an'-what dye expec' ter do
now?"
II suppose I'll hev ter go 4 tn
union" she replied.
Just sol Hev ye-do We feel an OBJ
lection like ter go i tn union?"
"Idunno. sir. If hes ter go suppose
! hes ter 60"
"Ahl How long hev yer lived !
Trentboro', Mrs. Morris?"
81 wor born l. tn White Hoss yard
that wor 70 year sin come next October
mart"
"Ahl"
The local preachers fingers once
more began tapping while the man
looked thoughtfully beyond the win
dow. Needham was fidgety, and kept
throwing one leg over the other. He
was indignant at Tuckweli's cross
questioning. Amos Atkin was mildly
indignant also. but his indignation
took the form of blowing out his
cheeks. Catsby, the hairdresser, pulled
at individual hairs in his stunted beard,
and then he tugged at the buttons OF
his coat as though he would pull them
off. Young Horton leaned forward
with his elbows on his knee making up
his mind what had best be done.
swell, gentlemen, what shall 1t be-
what shall we do?" questioned the
lawyer.
No one made a reply. The rough
men began to feel ashamed-not OF
their action against the widow-but OF
sentiment which sprang up in each
OF their breasts. To be thought weak. !
to waver in anything was merely to
hold themselves up to contempt.
Not a man liked TO say what was II
he mind for fear of the others.