Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1900-04-27
CHATTER XII.

OF charitable and unclafltable people.
Of retlcent thinkers and people given
to speaking their minds plainly in sea
son and out. In short. humanity was
mixed there as elsewhere.
DIR. Govan had TO rebuke old Mr..
Langdon, the druggist. quite sharply
more than once for ASKING him. How
comes IL Horace Matthews has got
rich practicing law in Melton county,
where no other man has ever been able
to more'n grabble living AT that bust
nessT And Mr.. Mills, the most pro
gressive man In Vaudeville. who had
actually had the temerity to Import
man who had something to do with an
electric light system, with view to
seeing IL Vaudeville could not be Sc
duced into discarding its old oil lamps,
actually heard Lawyer Matthews talk
ing to the electrician about his line of
business, wanting to know If he could
point out any opening for young
friend of his who would soon be re-
turning from the other side and would
want to go into that sort of business.
OF course his young friend must be
Tom Broxton. Mr.. Mills was one of
the reticent thinkers, so he did not con-
fide even to his wife his great astonish-
ment at hearing that Rufe Broxtons
son would have to go into any sort of
business But, although he d.screetly
refrained from proclaiming it upon the
house tops, his private conviction was
<hn< s.Enro.a Nfatthaws' pnI of the
seesaw had gone up as fast as Tom
Broxtons had gone down.
DR.. Govan would have scored Manoe-
ville's most progressive man with the
same severity he visited upon the ire
sponsible old druggst-"a quacking
Guack," as he bitingly called him
only it is impracticable to wage active
hostilities against man who simply
raises his eyebrows and shrugs his
shoulders.
DR.. Govan's broad catholiclty and
gentle judgment Of his fellow man
were the logical reflex of his own
sweetness of nature and Astounding
good health. 1t was natural that Hor-
ace Matthews should have come in
for goodly share of discussion at the
time of the fire, for Vaudeville was
never so rich in sensations as to let one
slip too rapidly through its mill. But
1t was time to create diversion. The
doctor began his missionary work at
home. If lie could convert Mrs. Govan
into partisan, Matthews would be re-
instated with his neighbors. a mans
wife is his best and surest safety
valve. Mrs. Govan innocently immo-
lated herself.
II was down to see the old lady yes,
terday, John. Malvina says she wishes
you would stop in the first time you
pass their gate"
whats Mother Spillman up to
now"
Nothing new. Malvina just gets
fretted over the way the old lady pecks
on Horace Matthews. She says it's n
regular monomania. She says she is
almost afraid to let any of the neigh
bors mention Mr.. Matthews name in
her mothers presence for fear she will
blaze out something ugly about him."
"And yet" the doctor said gravely,
Matthews has been consistently kind
to the old creature. He has kept up all
the friendly services BroXton used to
render her."
II know It, l know that, John, but
Mother Spillman's woman of strong
convictions, and she is not to be bought
over by any amount of fiattery or sub
stantial help"
Bought over? Dr. Govan gave his
wife an "et tn, Brute" look and open
ed his battery without the preliminary
OF curt challenge.
Now see here, Mati!aa..I- Efays You
sone oNelSlsuSrie enemy?"
- Gone over to the enemy? Which
enemy, John GovanY She smoothed
the white bands of hair on her temples
ly incisive pair Of eyes. He was using
them just then as he used that sharp,
shining probe among his surgical in
struments.
"Well should say pretty much all
Vaudeville stood for the enemy at this
juncture, and should be sorry to see
my wife aligning herself with them
and sitting in judgment upon man
who has never committed one overt act
that man or woman could point to and
say, That is wrong"
'Well, but, john
"Let me have the floor little while
longer, il you please, my dear. really
feel as If Matthews needed friend, q
champion, If you choose. l will say to
you in strict confidence l don't think
he will be here many years longer"
what, John? Oh, that poor girlv'
"Of course this is for no ear but
yours
Il have been doctors wife 80 years
John"
"And better one never doctor had
An air kiss was foated from the doe
tors mature fingers to bring smile
to Matilda's mature lips.
But about Mr.. Matthews?'
Eyes, about Matthews. believe hi
is not unaware of the hostile attitude
some Of his old neighbors have as
sumed. Not all Of them. The sole
men Of this community, the men wht
do their own thinking and can look a
subject all around, see Matthews az
do, shrewd, close mouthed business
man, with one object, and only one, il
life."
"Olivla."
'Precisely-Olivia. ! doubt if there's
any man In Melton county who know.
Matthews as well as do. knew hin
before his shell developed, knew hin
when he was In love with Lucetts
broxton and looked forward to marry
ms her. Matthews was all right then
lts vas changed by her death into ;
.----l almost mnrose. man. LIE WAS