The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-04-16
The Vigilance Committee.
BY w. R. Rose.

The young minister flushed n little
and seemed about to speak. Then he
abruptly checked the impulse and
picked up his letters.
81 think" said the little postmistress.
that it's your duty to interfere, Mr..
Browning"
The young minister smiled.
ut isn't always easy to see ones
duty clearly, Mrs. Twltters." he said.
And while you are waiting for clear.
er vision the worst may happen" said
the little postmistress.
The minister's face grew grave,
u hope not" he said, and turned
The little postmistress gave a sniff
as he passed through the door, little
snilf that was expressive of profound
contempt for the dllatory ways of mas
cullne humanity.
Then came time when the boy was
not seen for several weeks and public
anxiety grew intense. Nor did the old
man appear. He was there in the
ancient cottage. The milkman and the
baker and the grocer saw him on their
rounds. But they saw nothing of the
boy.
How is the little fellow?" the grocer
volunteered to ask one day.
Hes all right" the old man grunly
replied
Il haven't seen him out" the grocer
persisted.
NO" said the old man, and closed
the door behind him.
At the expiration of three weeks
Selectman Briscom sought out the
young minister.
"Parson," he said "I'm here at the
request of several of our most reputa-
bic citizens. They think something
should be done about Old Man Moxham
and thatboy."
What do you propose?" inquired the
young man.
1--WE thought maybe you could sug.
cest something"
The young minister was silent for a
moment.
1--WE must DC careful" he said.
"Of course"
eve have no proof that anything is
wrong"
'"It looks mighty queer" '-HG
The young minister hesitatcd.
out where l spent year or two
after l left college," he said "they
would have made this the subject for
4 vigilance committees attentions.
When n social duty of this sort was
under consideration n rope was usually
ut hand where it could be found when
"Of course" said the selectman hasti.
~. I'VE don't intend to go that far"
The young man smiled.
But the vigilance committee idea
suits you?"
''The idea of committee to visit the
I'D man suits me-"
Good" said the young man. "Therc
'an be no harm in that"
"And you'll join u.s."
"Yes."
Tomorrow n.Sht:'
"Yes.'
"Well meet at the church AZ 8
,'clock"
every we'll"
The selectman paused.
"And will you lead us?"
IF you desire it," said the youn.
minister.
And so it happened that the first yigi.
m hn
ever known plodded determinedly, al
hougi at a lelsurely pace. up the long
ILL In the bright moonlight. and finally
the old mans yard and halted
'efore the ancient cottage. And it was
he tall young minister who advanced
md peered through the lighted win.
low.
There was a brief pause.
Then the tall young minister turned
o the others.
Come" he said in whisper.
He raped lightly on the door. Wait
rg but moment he opened 1t and
passed in, with the others following
lin.
The door opened Immediately INTO the
Dig living room OF the cottage. a com
ortable apartment with a great fire
'lace with log burning on the huge
ndirons, log that sent out the flicker
ng light that had illuminated the win
low.
The old man was there, seated in n
ow chair by the fireplace. He looked
howed no surprise.
He only nodded and then held up his |
iand with n slight warning gesture.
The boy was in cushioned chair by |
he old mans side. His head with its |
ong light hair was pillowed against |
he old mans shoulder. He sat at |
such an angle that the committee could |
zee the little white face, and the long |
white hands, and the closed eyes. The |
roy was asleep.
But even as they stared at this pic
ure the child stirred uneasily.
Daddy" he cried. daddy" .oy.
1t was a cry of terror.
"Yes. yes. dear boy, am here" said |
he old man gently as he patted the
White cheek. The big eyes opened |
Wider and rested on the old mans face.
rhe pale lips parted in sigh.
II had a bad dream, daddy" he muir
nured.
Yes. dear boy. but 1t was only a
lream."
Il dreamed they were beating me
gain. daddy"
'They viii never beat you again, dear
,au