News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1902-02-19

MAS TER ana
- Inv = tn. THORPE
Copyright, 1901, by T. H. Thorpe
Copyright, 1901, by T. H. Thorpe.

L.
Is in some things weak, very weak.
At times | am grievously distressed by
apprehensons of misfortune to his
granddaughter, Estelle. AS her guard
ian he controls her inheritance, and,
while | know his love for her Is little
less than a worship, yet his yielding
nature is a continuing menace to her
interests"
Your fears are in all probability cor
rect" Oakfell observed. "Latiolais' i'm
providence may be hurtful to his grand
child in the dissipation Of the estate
which she should inherit from him, but
he could not without gross dishonesty
imperil that which she derives from
her mother, and I.atiolais, | am sure, is
honest"
"Certainly he means to be-" said
Father Grhe. II trust my fears will
never be justified by the event. But.
speaking of Estelle, my son, must
give you bit Of news which probably
has not reached you since you have
been at the capital. The new bell pre-
scented to the church by our good
friends at Bordeaux arrived from
France last week and will be christen-
ed the first Saturday after Easter. On
the Thursday before fair Is to be held
at the Mansura schoolhouse to raise
money to pay the expenses Of bringing
the bell from New Orleans and to
build and paint new belfry. At the
fair the godmother Of the bell will be
elected. and quite spirited contest Is
being waged by number Of our girls
who are ambitious of that honor. Es-
telle has been persuaded to enter the
competition, and am afraid her grand
fathers absence In New Orleans has
not improved her chances of winning.
She is too modest and timid to canvass
for herself, and, while | ought not to
be a partisan Of any in the race, yet
grieve to think that Estelle should suf-
fer for the want Of champion"
as it too late for champion to be
of service to herr" asked Oakfell.
"By no means"
what Is the mode of election"
Each vote must be accompanied by
81. The candidate In whose name the
greatest number Of dollars are con-
tributed is elected godmother to the
bell" the priest explained.
) THE candidates are. of course. all
young grls?" queried Oakfell.
"Oh. certainly" replied the priest.
mo matrons are admitted"
How many candidates are there?"
"Sx. The lists were closed last Sun
day"
Then" said Oakfell, Though have
not had the pleasure of meeting Mile.
Latiolais since her return from the con-
vent, suppose she Is now regarded
quite a young lady. | will be her &C.
tive champion from this on to the close
of the polls, but, of course, incognito to
her"
"Goodw exclaimed Valsin. 81 will
give you five votes for EstelIe to begin
with"
STEADY, my good friend" said the
priest. "No voter can cast more than
one ballot"
well, l will give my own vote" per-
sisted Valsin, land get four others. |
will be good for five anyhow. polled
five votes for Mr.. Horace to so to the
legislature, and can poll that number
for his candidate for the bell christen-
ing"
Thank you, Valsin," said Oakfell.
"Our present candidate is more deserv-
ing than the other and less likely to
disappOint you"
How so| asked Valsin. when
have you disappointed me-"
When | voted against the antieman-
cipation bill am afraid" replied Oak
fell
mot by jugful!' declared Valsin.
"But you would have done so if you
had voted for that bill. What! paid
my own money for old Alonzo and old
Jeanne and cannot set them free if
want? l could have thrown my money
into the bayou. Then why cannot I
free my negroes, for whom | paid my
No, sir You voted right like
a real man, and honor you for it."
"And so do |, my young FRIEND" said
the priest, land | advise every man
who wishes to see and do the right to
read your speech and engrave it on his
You spoke for that broad hui
manity which was the especial care of
the Lord Jesus and in which alone lies
the ultimate safety of this nation"
Should all others disapprOve these
expressions from you, two would suffice
to sustain me, for in your sincerity and
judgment have abiding faith" Oak
fell spoke warmly and sincerely.
When the meal was concluded, the
rain had ceased and the late moon
risen above the tree tops eli the sur
forests. The priest announc-
ed his determination to push on to
Mansura, and, his horse and buggy be-
ing led out by Alonzo, he thanked Val
sin for his entertainment, gave his
blessing and good night and drove on.
to be ferried across the water by the
boy.
Oakfell's sleep was that of the young
man fatigued. At sunrise of the fol-
owing morning he was speeding in the
buggy through the gllsten-
ng, odorous magnolia woods to his |
10, ,t,Ag ~ 1T,