Fergus County argus., 1901-01-30
CHAPTER IX.
SIX LITTLE GRAVES.

There was hut one topic discussed In
the countryside that day, and that was
the life and character of Agatha Webb.
Her history had not been a happy
one, She aud Philemon had come from
porchcster some % or more years be
fore to escape the sorrows associated
with tlcly native town. They had left
behind thlm six small graves IN Port
chester ehurchyard, but though evil
dCnces % their ailictiun were always
to be seen In Tie coGutonanccs Of ei-
thCr they had entered with So much
purpose into the life of their adopted
town that they had become persons Of
note there till philtmon's haalth began
to fail. when Agatha qdit al outside
work and devoted hnrsrlf exclusively
o. him. pf her character and wiusUme
personality "" can gather some Ida
from the various Conversations carried
on that dly from p0rrlestar green to
the Slipyards in Suiherlandtown.
In Deacon Brainrrd's cottage the dis
cuSsiun was concerning Alatlas lack
OF vauity. Il virtue not very common at
that tine among the women Of this
busy seaport.
For woman so handsome the
good deacon was saying. and think |
can safely call her the finest featured
woman who ever trod these streets, she
showed as little interest in.dFess as
any one | ever saw. Calico at home
and calico at church. yet she looked as
much Of lady in her dark sprggld
gowns as Mrs. Webster In her silks or
Mrs Parsons in her $1,000 sealskiu."
As this was a topic within the scope
Of his eldest daughters intelligence
she at once spoke up: II never thought
she needed 10 dress so plainly. don't
believe in such show of poverty my
self II one Is too poor 10 20 decent. all
rlght but they say she had more Ilon-
ey than most any one In town. | won.
der who is going to get the benefit Of
III"
"Why. Philemon Of course, That is.
as long as he lives. lie doubtless had
the making Of it."
"Is It true that he's gone clean out Of
his head since her dcath:" intelposed
nelgllbor who had happened in.
$50 they say. believe Widow Jones
has taken him into her house."
"Do you think" asked a second
daughter, with becoming hesitation,
that lie had anything to do with her
death? Some OF the neighbors say he
struck her while in one Of lis crazy
fits. while others declare she was killed
bv some stranger equally old aud al.
most as inhrm."
"We won't discuss the subject" oh.
jected the deacon. "Tlue will show
| who robbed us Of the greatest hearted
and most capable woman in these
parts"
! "And VIII time show who killed Bat.
sy" II was n morse Of n girl who
/ spoke: the least one Of tie family. bat
the brightest. I'm sorry for Batsy
she always CAV" me cookies when
went To see Mrs. Webb"
Patsy was n go1d girl for a Swedc.'
allowed tile deacou's wife, who had moi
spoken TIL now. when she first cam,
into town on the spars II that wreck,t
ship we all remember. there was som,
struggle between Agatha aud me rs &
which Of us should have her. But
didn't Ike the task of teaching her IN,
name of every pot and pan She had I,
use in the kitchen. SO gave her UP &
Agatha. And 1t was fortunate | an
for I've never been able to understand
her talk TO this day"
IL could talk with her right well
lisped the little one. "Shc never cali9,
things hy their Swedish names unlcs
she was worried. and | never worrlei
her"
~ wonder IL she would have wor
SHIPPED the ground under your feet, n
size did that under Agatha?" aske,
the deacon. cying his wife with jus
the suspicion of malicious twinkle Il
lis eye.
81 am not the greatest hearted an
most capable woman In town." retor'
ed his wife, clicking her needles as sh
went on krittlug.
In Mr.. Sprague's house on the oppc
site side of the road Squire Flshe
was relating some old tales of bygon
PorchcHter days. III knew Agath
when she was n girl" he avowed. Ssh
had the grandest manners and tn
most enchanting smile Of any rich @
poor mans daughter between the coas
, and Springfield. She did not dress I
calico then. She wore the gayes
clothes her father could buy her, an
old Jacob was not without means (
make his daughter the leading figure I
town. How we young fellows dl
adore her, and what lengths we wen
to win one OF her glorious smiles. Tw
, Of US, John aud Jacob label. have live