St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-08-27

say keelw cried Baptiste excitedly
stripping off the harness.
But Sandy would not leave the horses
till they were carefully rubbed down
blanketed and fed, for he was entered
for the four horse race, and it behoov.
ed him to do his best to win. Besides
he scorned to hurry himself for any.
thing so unimportant as eating. That
he considered hardly worthy even of
Baptiste. Mr.. Craig managed to get
word with him before he went off,
and l saw Sandy solemnly and en-
phatically shake his head, saying: "Ah,
we'll beat him this day~ And I gath
cred that he was added to the vigilance
committee.
Old man Nelson was busy with his
own team. He turned slowly at Mr..
| Craigs greeting. "How is it, Nelson %
And it was with very grave voice he
answered:
II hardly know, sir, but I am not
gone yet, though it seems little to hold
to-"
"All you want for a grip is what your
hand can cover. What would you have?
And, besides, do you know why you
are not gone YETI"
The old man waited, looking at the
minister gravely.
Because he hasn't let go his grip Of
you"
"How do you know he's gripped me-"
"Now, look here, Nelson, do you want
to quit this thing and give it all up?"
mo, motor heavens sake, no! Why,
do you think have lost it?" said Mel
son almost piteously.
"Well, he's keener about it than you,
and I'll bet you haven't thought it
worth while to thank him."
ITO thank him." he repeated almost
stupidity, for
For keeping you where you are over
night" said Mr.. Craig almost sternly.
The old man gazed at the minister, a
light growing in his eyes.
you're right! Thank God, you're
rightp
And then he turned quickly away and
went into the stable behind his team.
1t was minute before he came out.
Over his face there was a trembling
Joy.
Cant do anything for you today"
he asked humbly.
Indeed you just can," said the min
lister, taking his hand and shaking it
very warmly, and then he told him
Slavin's programme and ours.
SANDY is all right till after his race.
After that is his time Of danger" said
the minister.
'T'll stay with him, sir" said old Nell
son in the tone Of a man taking a cove
nant and Immediately set off for the
coffee tent.
Here comes another recruit for your
corps" said, pointing to Leslie
Graeme, who was coming down the
street at that moment in his light
sleigh.
81 am not so sure. DO you think
you could get him?"
laughed. you are good one"
"Well," he replied half defantly,
sis not this your fight too?'
you make me think so, though 1
am bound to say l hardly recognize
myself today. But here goes" And
before | knew it was describing our
plans to Graeme, growing more and
hn IN hio
sleigh, listening with a quizzical smile
l didn't quite like.
Hes got you, too," he said. II fear
ed 500
WELL" laughed, perhaps so. But
I want to lick that man Slavin. I've
just seen him, and he's just what Craig
calls him, "a slick son of the devil
Don't be shocked. He says it is Scrip
ture."
Revised version" said Graeme
gravely, while Craig looked a little
abashed.
"What is assigned me, Mr.. Craig?
For l know that this man is simply
your agent"
repudated the idea, while Mr.. Craig
said nothing.
whats my partw demanded
Graeme.
"Well," said Mr.. Craig hesitatingly,
"of course l would do nothing till l
had consulted you, but | want a man
to take my place at the sports. l am
referee"
'Thats all right" said Graeme, with
an air of relief, 81 expected something
hard"
"And then l thought you would not
mind presiding at the dinner. 1 want it
to go off WELL"
"Did you notice that" said Graeme
to me. "Not bad touch, eh?"
That's nothing to the way he touch
ed me. Wait and learn" answered,
while Craig looked quite distressed.
Hell do it. Mr.. Craig, never fear" 1
said, "and any other little duty"
"Now, that's too bad of you. That is
all / want, honor bright" he replied,
adding as he turned away: "You are
just in time for cup of coffee, Mr..
Graeme. Now must see Mrs. Mayor"
"Who is Mrs. MavorY l demanded
of Graeme.
"Mrs. Mavor2 The miners guardian
angel"
We put up the horses and set Off for
coffee. AS we approached the booth
Graeme caught sipht of thn Punch and