Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-03-16


have T." he asked, with trembling voice.
The truth was that Joe had thrown u
brickbnt at Polly's cat the night before
and without really intending to do 50 had
bit her and knocked her out Of his fnvoritc
peach tree, and had felt rather mean about
1t ever since.
"Wcll, don't know" Jonessy replied
cautiously, for he could see that Joe had
something ON his mind and thought to
draw him ont. You see, Joe, the right
and the wrong generally depends on the
circumstances attending the case
That's what | reckoncd," said Joe.
"YOu see | saw her coming through the
fence and tried to make her 20 back. "
"And she wouldn't go2'
"No."
"What did you do next"
"Soun aS | spoke she ran M that peach
tree and went to clawing and scratching
the bark.
"~ho did, ch?'
"~hc did. Then got mad, like fool"
said Joe, hanging his head. II picked
upa brickhat and threw it at her, and
down she came kicking her legs lika
drumstcks."
"Didn t she say apything?"
"Who?"
"Nhy, Polly May, of course"
"Nou didn't think that it was Polly I
treated that way, did YOU" asked Joe.
"No, hardly. But who was it,"
1T was polly's cat, Joncssy. thought
that perhaps Polly had seen il and gone
to you and entered complaint against
mo
NO, she hasn't done it yet, Joe but
there is no telling how soon she may do
so, said .Ionossy. Then he added conf
dentially, If were you, I'd 20 over and
see her and settle the whole thing out of
court -
After Ioncssy left him Joe stood and
scratched his head for some time The
whole thing was ii puzzle to him. Had
1ouessy known more than he pretended:
If so, had Polly told him? And if Polly
had, was it at her suggestion that Joncssy
had come and told him to go and see her?
1t is ten years since we spoke. 80 he
unused, with "a sad smile while Is mock
ing bird was singing blithcy in Is tree
close by.
Then suddenly he burst out laughing.
1.-THE idea of Polly climbinga tree, " he
cried. And me throwing "a brickbut at
her, and she fallng-ha ha ha!"
But .Joncssy walked homeward in quito
a different mood. Somehow he felt that
his mission had been rather "A failure. still
every once in awhile II CLEAN of hope dart
ed upward, and lie thought that he could
see a fee of Office afar off.
As he walked along, musing and dream
ing he found himself suddenly face TO face
with woman carrying huge basket on
her arm.
"Ilow do you do, judge" she cried
chccrily letting her basket down to the
ground. i was real glad to hear that you
was elected. "
THANK you, Polly. was just think.
ing about you when you hobbcd up, said
Jonessy. "Have just been over to see your
ncighbor, Joe Petcrman. and was on my
way home with my thoughts full of both
of YOU
Polly frowncd
".Joc isn't going to have me to court, is
he!' she asked
Cant say, Polly, l reckon that de-
ponds rs much ON you as on him..
"Wcll, he had no business coming in
through the window like he did" Polly
cried. at served him only right that the
window fell down ON him like it did and
caught him by the leg. OF course when
grabbed him by the throat to keep him
from squalling, and he cut me on the
wrist, | WAS mad enough 10 Kill him, but
l kept my temper, and | didn't hurt him
any more than | could help" she protest
ed
But Joe didn IT, .Joncssy began.
"Of course Joe didn't. Joe never would
listen to reason, cried Polly.
But, Polly, Joe" - Jonessy began
again,
That's all right, Jim Jonossy. You
have .JocS side of the story, and am GO
ing to tell mine, cried Polly, After
got him loose bothered with him all day
aud doctored him, and that night after
dark | carried him in my arms to the fence
and set him down on the other side, "
Goodness, Polly, you don't mean to
tell me that you carried him in your
arms" .Ionessy exclaimed.
"Well, just did, and III swear to it be-
fore Joe or anybody"
Il wouldn't do it if | was YOU" said
.Ionessy earnestly. "Why there isn't
soul in Pinevillc would believe you could
do it,
Gould do what"
"Why, carry Joe Peterman in your arms,
of course"
".Iim .Ionessy, you arc u fool - she cried,
very red in the face, 1t is .Ioc's old Dom
lHltk rooster l nave Dctn TALK ing ABOUT.
"Why, yes, Of course, stammered
Jonessy in confusion, trying to smilo Il
was just teasing you, Polly, knowing you
and Joe were such old friends, "
"But did Joe say he was going to take
me to COURT" she asked.
"Not exactly, but l advised him to go
and talk the matter over with you. Say,
Polly, you two ought TO make up. You
take my advice" said ,Jonessy.
Then IOncSsy went one way, and Polly
went the other each ono busy with many
thoughts.
That evening Mrs. .Jonossy asked her
husband how many fees the new Office had
brought him.
This is the first day, you know, he
smiled family, II have just been setting
the wheels in motion today, and the foes
will como in after awhile"
eyes, when Joe petorman and Polly
May get married, she said, laughing
Joncssy had accomplished something
that day. L. had set Joe and Polly think
ing about cacn other. JOe's long lanterr
jGwVd face, usually s1hcr ard solemn, hal
relaxed into smiles sever ! times, and one
he had actually caught linsof hummir
an old .ong that had lain forgotten
years within him. On the other ho.
Polly's round and rosy face, that was SUI