The Minneapolis journal., 1902-06-02
Chapter III.
BOSTON TOWN.

BOSTON TOWN
From the dark sky looked down the frosty
stars The traveller and DicSie Ellery, sitting
side by side upon the box of the stage, were
sunk in thought The two last seats seemed
miles behind; the unrhythnic songs were un-
heard; the cracking Of the whip, the iingling
bells, unnoticed Dickie crossed his
arms upon his chest sunk his head, nodded
and sighed. Occasionally the traveller stole
glances at the lad by his side, but in the
dark saw little. Dckie was unhappy, that
much could be guessed.
The stage breasted rise at last, topped the
ill, and paused before the descent. Clear
in the distance. mile or so away, were the
lights of town.
Boston," said the driver.
Boston. The traveller drew a breath and
leaned forward. He saw the lines Of streets,
and even distinguished the faces of houses in
the distant dots of yellow. Away to the right
was the harbor rejecting the ships at an
chor.
Other roads joined theirs at the foot of the
hill, and now increased the steady stream of
people moving toward Boston. Here was a
couple, there a group Oh foot, and again was
q wagon-load of men. Through them the
quicker stage threaded its way. ''Look at
them" said one OF the young men. And all
: these people stirring on account of a little
tea
Anthony cursed them promptly. May their
eyes drop out May they never find their way
home! May their wives never brew them an
other dish of teal
The road was continually more crowded; ;
they went slower. Crossing the Neck they
heard the water tapping on the beaGh, and
the traveller shifted the salt smell. little
! further and they came to the frs houses of
4 the town. The way became more difficult;
vehicles and men on foot blocked the road
The stage fell in behind at walk; those in
-. ThC,y nt lac n q
middle of a throng slowly moving forward
But there was little noise; the loose crowd
pushed silently.
The stage turned aside at the first cross
street and came into less crowded ways. The
harbor breeze of midDecember cut their
faces but the traveller breathed it eagerly.
He studied his surroundings. How low and
weather-beate seemed the houses in these
Boston lanes. mans eyes measure differ
emily from boys.
Though the streets were freer, he could
not miss the signs Of political excitement. At
the hour when the stage entered Boston, the
town meeting sat in silence within the Old
South church, waiting the answer to its final
petition to the governor, and pondering John
Rowe's question: WHO knows how tea will
mingIe with salt water?'
g., Thus all the movement in the streets was
In the direction of the Old South and where
the stage drew up at the tavern in King street
there was quiet. The passengers descended
the stage drove around to the yard, the young
Tories entered the tavern, and only the trav
eler and Dickie stood below the emblem o
the Bunch Of Grapes. The traveller was look
Ing about him, and at the young Bostonian.
A little man came hurryi2g out Of the dusk
a quick and nervous voice spoke up: "Oh
Master Dickie!'
well? asked Dickie. "Oh, it's you, Nick
What is it?'' -
Humphreys is SICK
"Worse?"
The little man nodded. and with the i'm
portance of a bearer OF news he mingled th'
tribute of regret, almost at his end
'tHe wants me?"
every much? D.
"WelI, Nick, I'll come at once" But hi
name was called again. "Tis uncle
A lean and threadbare man came into til
circle of light. He stopped slightly at tin
shoulders, running his head forward so tina
his eyes peered out sharply from under hi
brows, as If with suspicion. His clothes wer
neat and his features clean-cut; but that al
OF suspicion gave the tone to his personality
seeming to produce a stealthy step and
bearing of caution, while the lines c
his face were so nodded that they with diff
Guilty assumed, and never long could hold
an expression of frankness." He came t
Dckfe and took him by the arm. ''Ah lad!
he cried, and though 1t rasped, the voic
came briskly. 'Back again? I've not see
you these ten hours Let us go home to
gether."
Dickie put his hand upon his uncle's an
pressed it affectionately. Eyes. sir, II
back" he said. But 1 am called to Hum
phreys, who is very i'll. and wants to see me-
Eyes. he's i'll, replied his uncle, his eye
rot meeting Dickies, but resting hi
sleeve. TOO ill, in fact, for you to go. S
come with me- E...
1--WE waited here half-hour,'' cried tn
little man, who was listening @"Mr. Hum
phreys wants to see him badly
The merchant turned on him ':But hav
Just been there. The doctor came and OF
dered quiet. Dicke, lad, come with me.
He smote his nephew on the shoulder an
in a CHASTITY fashion smiled. Come home
I've much to tell you" H..
"You see,' said Dickie to Nick, "I'd bes
not go. I'm obliged for your trouble. Te
Humphreys I will come in the morning
Good night He went with his uncle.
The traveller stood by the tavern wall an
followed them with his eye. Uncle an
nephew, grabbed age and youth. :" went arm
in-arm Dickies CHEEKY laugh rang in tn
street: he disengaged his arm and laid
across his uncles shoulder. The travele
shook his head. "How stranger he though
''Hcw strange!"
He was recalled to himself by the angr
sputterings of his neighbor The little ma
started away: the other followed.
They went toward the church When the
emerged from Joliffs lane into Milk stree
they came upon the crowd. It's outskir
reached to the lane; it thickened nearer th
church. beneath the walls Of which me
pressed closely together, stood with litt
movement, spoke few words, watched an
waited. Thus it had remained for hour
| and the little man, recognizing that nothin
new had happened, made no pause for quet