Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-02-14
JOHN CUTTS'S SECRET.

was saluted by woman from an up.
per window with, well. what's wan
tin now?'
rs Mr.. Cults in?"
Eyes, he's in or about somewhere,
| suppose" she replied; "but I'm Mr..
Cults where any business is to be
done. He's Mr.. Cuts eatin' and
drinMn and sleepin sometimes"
well, my good woman" said the
gentleman, 81 think he will be Mr..
Cults for my business, too. l wish
to see him."
What do you want of him." asked
the shrew. thrusting her head still
further out of the window.
ITO do something for me. But |
must see him." was the reply.
Us it real business for pay. or only
a favor you want? | can let your boss
have a peck of oats. or | can direct
you to the shortest road to the Four
Corners. or | cam can-why-I can
do anything for you that he could and
a good deal more, can take the mon
ey and write the receipts and pay the
men. and | take care of the produce.
I'm as good a judge of stock as he is,
and | can't be beat on horseflesh."
But" said the gentleman, drawing
down his face solemnly. you can't
take his place now. Find him for me
at once"
The shrew was bafTled. "Look-a-
here mister, maybe you do not know
the circumstances of this case. This
here farm is mine, as it was my
fathers afore me: and Cults he hain't
no more claim to it than that hen
down there has. And, besides, I'm
seven years older than he is, foot
higher. and weigh 90 lbs. more. What's
your business on my place if | may
make so bold?"
ITO see and talk with your hus-
band" replied the gentleman, getting
out of his buggy and hitching his horse
to a post. as if he meant to stay until
he did see him.
BE you a doctor? Cause there
amt a living thing the matter with
Cults. He's the wellest man in town,
and so be l." said the woman.
" No, my good woman, I'm not a
doctor DO you think your husband
will be in soon? Send that boy to
find him." said the stranger
The boy looked up in his mothers
face-but he knew his own interests
too well to start without orders.
Then you're a minister. | suppose,
by your black coat. | may as well
tell you and save your time that we
don't go to meeting and don't want
to. 1t amt no use for you to leave
no tracts nor nothing-for I've got a
big dairy, and hain't no time to idle
away readin, and I keep him about so
early and late that when's he done
work he's glad to go to bed and rest &"
I'm no minister madam; | wish
was. though, for your sake" said the
gentleman.
Look here. mister" now appearing
at the door and looking defantly at
him. you're a schoolmaster huntin'
up a district school, and you think
he's committee man; but he amt
this year"
Send for your husband cannot
wait much longer. I must see him
at once"
The boy started to his feet again,
and looked in his mothers eye; but
she gave no marching orders.
"Ma'am Cults as the neighbours
called her, dropped her hands at her
side and heaved groan. She had
found a man she couldn't manage.
See here, now. mister" she said.
Il can read a man right through. and
| knew what you was the blessed
minute | clapped my eyes on you. |
can tell by your everlastin' arguin'
that you are a lawyer. We haint
got no quarrels; don't want no deeds
drawed or wills made, so if you're hun
tin job of my husband, you may as
well onhitch your horse and drive on.
We know enough to make a little
money, and I know enough to hold
on to it,
MY good woman, you entirely mis-
understand my errand. can tell
no person but himself what it is. and
must tell him in confidence and alone.
If he chooses, he can break it to you
the best way he can"
"Oh, my goodness sakes alive,
Brother Lifts bowed up in the Missis-
sippi boat, / bet. Oh, la me, the poor
fellow. He left a little something,
didn't hep"
q never heard of him, and nobody's
blowed up that | know Of" replied
the gentleman.
"Oh-now l know, you're the man
what wants to go to Congress. and
have come here huntin' after votes.
He shall not vote for you, | hate
politicians, especially them that goes
agin women, and thinks they were
made to drudge and nothin' elsei | go
in for free and equal rights for white
folks-men and women-for Scripture
says there isn't neither man or
woman, but all's one in politics. |
believe the day is comm when such
as you and me will have to bow the
knee to woman, afore you can get the
big place and high pay that's a eatin'
us up with taxes. You can't see nv
husband, We are goin' to the polls
on the way to the mill, and I'll promise
that he votes right"
I'm no candidate, and | don't know
what you are talking about. All.
there comes the man want" And
the stranger went toward Mr.. Cults.
who had just leaped a pair of bars
which led from the potato patch into
the lane.
Mrs. Cults flew into the house for
her sunbonnet TO follow them; but
by the time she got to the bars her
mysterious visitor and Cults were
driving rapidly down the road.
The strongmindod woman shouted
after her husband, You'd better come
back, | tell YOU" but the wind was
blowing the wrong way, and carried
the words into the potato patch.
Sir said the gentleman to honest
Cults, Il have very simple question
TO ask you, but | shall have to ask you
In confidence. ! will give you five
dollars If you will promise not to re-