Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-03-25


should take cold'-
Winston Arnold laughed. There was
no mirth in the sound. 1t rang harshly
out ON the silent world Then witho
word he turned away abruptly and
headed for the twinkling city In the
distance.
Jerry touched his hat In his usual
fashion, but the voice he sent after his
master into the darkness was deter
mined against all odds. Remember,
sir, that drug store is on the right hand
side going back. Well wait for you at
the turn Of the road. " Then he touched
his horses with the whip, and the car
riage rolled smoothly onward.
John unbent before the wheels had
made dozen revolutions.
"Well, never seen the beat of that
for temper, " he began. "P'r'aps you'll
tell me, Jerry, he was funnin. 1t was
the biggest bluff for fun ever heard on
that's all I've got to say about it"
Jerry maintained dignified silence.
He knew John last remark was mere
figure Of speech. He had evidently q
great deal more to say.
youth with wag of his head. 1--WE
seen his kind, many's the time-soft
soap afore and brickbats after. My eye,
but he was ragin when he tramped of.
Maybe you think he's comm back
You're as inherent as the babe unborn,
Jerry. Them great big fellers your size
amt much in seein through things.
P'r'aps you re goin to stop at the cross
roads and make a fool of yourself, besides
freezin out tho missus'-
Jerry smiled.
Don't worry, young onei the missus
won't freeze and l guess l know the
master better than you do. I'm goin
to wait You can walk home If you
want to. amt keepin you" There
was a twinkle in Jerry's eye. He was q
man Of few words but he usually hit
straight in a controversy.
John looked at his immaculate top
boots and was silent on that head.
"See here, jerry" he said, returning
once more to the charge, IL bet you a
fver the master don't come home this
night l amt got too much tin, but I'm
that certain don't see no risk.
Done, said Jerry solemnly, and the
situation in Johns opinion having
reached q climax there was nothing for
1t but to wait results
They drove on in reflective silence the
rest Of the way. 1t was not far to the
turn of the road When they reached
this objective point, Jerry headed his
horses for home, but drew rein beneath
some great, gaunt trees.
You'd best get down, John, and
walk about bit; it'll unstiff your
Joints" said Jerry, with his profession
al air Of command, land you may as
well look in at the carriage window and
tell Mrs. Arnold that the masters just
gone for cigar and will be back direct
". And look sharp now Don t you be
mountin this box again till you see the
light Of that there cigar bobbin along
the road. Mind what tell you, John
ny" And Jerry looked very forbiddine
as he knitted his brows
A grunt from John showed his dis
trust of the future. but he executed the
orders Of his superior to the very lettel
and tramped up and down, beating of
4 the cold with his why arms and stamp
ing his booted feet, striking sparks from
the frozen ground.
; Jerry sat immovable, looking neither
70 the right nor to the left. This tim'
Of waiting was crisis in his life, anC
he began TO question If he had beeI
:. wise to stake everything even his pro
= fessional reputation, upon the waywart
. humor Of his young master. But thel
= something had to be done. He could no
= submit to this eternal questioning OIL
- the part Of his subordinate, q mere sta
BILE lad, who knew no better Yet Their
was only one way to silence him, AM
that way this great hearted fellow il
" his simple instinct trusted to Providence
The cold was biting and the vim
), whistled fiercely through the trees. TIL
- horses paved impatiently, while tn
. steady tramp, tramp of the young foot
. man never relaxed for q single moment
- Jerry listened for some sound from tn
carriage. His keen ear could occasion
Il ally catch long drawn sigh, but tina
was all.
. Suddenly there was halt in John
;, rapid, measured strides The interruI
" ton brought the blood to Jerry's heart
:. For the first time he looked behind him
" A shifting spark Of light in the DARK
ness told the tale. Nearer and nearer
3 came, dancing to the tune of man
:. brisk walking.
~ John turned for the last time, just 6
q figure emerged from the shadow an
J hastened toward the carriage.
"All right, john" said the mastt
cheerily. "Drive ON. Jerry" He fun
" his cigar into the road, opened the ca
=. rage door and sprang in
N John mounted stolidly, Jerry cracke
. HIS whip, and of they started to IL
v music of the horses ringing hoofs.
John kept silence until the houi
~ loomed up in front.
- I'm pay that flyer, Jerry, with m
y next month vagea"
Then Jerry relaxed and laid q har
VI ON the slight shoulder.
10 "Oh, keep your money, he said kim
70 ly. II amt for bettin on a sure thinl
III only hold your tongue next time ar
trust to your bettera" With which su
on ar coated admonition Jerry drew up
his best style before the broad carTial
40 step of the old homestead
10
be- A new Lincoln anecdote is told by
old friend of Lincoln, Squire Masters