Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1903-07-10

been to the cliff where the phloN grew
and she had planned to nicely how to
obtain it,
In a shed off the Blake stables hung
two long heavy ropes occasionally used
by Mr.. Blake for haltering out horses.
These ropes Nanny resolved to borrow,
and one night when the small Jenkses
were all asleep she and Lau' Belle did in
deed borrow them-surreptiously, and
in fear and trembling, lest Brutus, asleep
in his kennel, should hear them and their
plans come to naught Mr. Blake would
doubtless have readily loaned the ropes
to her had she gone boldly by day and
asked for them but had not Zeb told her
the herb must be obtained in secret or
efficacy was lost?
Iau Belle and Nanny were spent with
the weight of the ropes when they reach
ed the cliff but they proceeded hastily to
make a rope ladder after their own fash
ion and planning. They tied knots in
each big rope, about two feet apart
from one end to the other and cut the
small stout cotton rope they had bought
intn two and half foot lengths. These
strips Nanny fastened between the two
large ropes from the knots as the rungs
of a ladder. securing them with exquisite
care. When complete, two ends of the
big ropes were tied around two sturdy
young hickories near the edge of the
cliff. "A small chunk fastened to the other
ends, and the ladder thrown over.
1t struck duly against the rocks of
the almost perpendicular cliff and the
sound struck like a clod on "A coffin lid TO
Iau' Bellies anxious ear. Nanny then
knotted a new rope. some ploughlines she
had also borrowed" from the Blake
stables. around her chest, with a ragged
shawl folded under the rope to prevent
its cutting her flesh. fastened the rope
about a tree passed .it twice about an
other. hung bed ticking satchel over
her neck, and pulled off her shoes and
stockings-ready to make the descent.
The moon lighted the wooded bank and
the cliff side with the brightness Of day.
ooh NANNY" Lau' Belle groaned. 81
can't let YOU resp yuu'sef on dem
ropes" Hush up. Lau' Belle" Nanny
answered soothingly. "Thenk o. Pap
Keep de liz rope in yoah hands and
stiddy me, and ef | falls of II de ladder
hold hahd"
The ropes swayed with the weight OF
the small woman. but the knots held
firm, and she kept her head and hel
. courage until she reached the ton of the
cliff again with her satchel well filled
with her feet once more on firm ground
Mammy's nerve gave way. She sank or
I the moss beside I.au Belle. and they
wept together In relief and thankfulness
Next morning Nanny went to Zen
1.lnsford with the phioX and the money
Zeb surprised beyond measure. shifted
the coins grecdily In his big hands. and
quickly conceived a plan to obtain pos
session OF them.
L II jes take de phloX," he said. 'ant
put de- herb mixture to work dis eVenin'
And you'H hab to do yoah part wild de
money"
In low and cautious tones he detailed
the plan That night al midnight she
was to 90 to the old graveyard on the
Blake farm. surrounded 10y high STONE
wall. climb over the left wall and lay
the money in the shape of silver dollar
pieces on the Eravestone Of Jasper LARA
bee. a negro preacher who met "A traSi,
death ten years before. trying to stop viii
his foot a log rolling down hill. Aftei
saying II dedicate this money To tn
purpose of breaking the spell tina
binds my husband TO the Gray WON
an" she was to again climb the left wal
and 20 rapidly home. Then in a few
days. Zeb assured her. Gabriel would
probably be at home. II not, she was {
await in natiencc-a wear might be neces
sary for the breaking Of the enchant
mcut
Nanny went home and talked tn
matter over with I.au' Belle. I.au' Bell
insisted that Jasper Larrabee woul'
know no dnuuce' IL. instead of Soo'
money. there was laid on his tomb fv
OF the ledden CouuNeTltllS Spiltb'lN it'
once given to Pap, now in the jerks
button box In case hit don't work
Nanny" she reasoned. we kin 80 T.
de buryin' ground some other night am
leave de sho' 'nough money!
when the Inscriptions Iebuon clam
bered over the right wall of the Larrabe
graveyard after waiting I'm lis shadoy
until Nanny had dispatched in trem
Bling haste her mysterious nocturnal
business. ana her lanterns CLEAN ma
faded in the distance, he CROPPED In tn
shadows of the cedars about the grave
to pick up what seemed five easily earne
silver dollars. and it was not until tn
next morning that he was disguised 1
find his plan to fatten his pocket boo
had failed.
on Monday afternoon the shadows IN
plum trees ina front of the cabin threw o
the ragged sod were nearing the ricket
let DOWN bars when a tattered iigur
stopped on the outside of them. y Ion
tale of disagreement with the woma
whose position in his household wa
questionable, of series of battles wit
rollncpius and broom handles. battle
in which the man was always vanduish
ed WAS written i'm the downcast face tn
Cringug eyes and signs of crownn
trouble. a recent neglected Illness. wer
unmistakahle in the weak. shamblin
walk, the hollow checks. and Saun
form.
The pleased zap of lido. the brow
fee" brought Nanny around IN
house. wet towel in her hands. wit
a crv she ran to the man and claspe
him in her arms.
Gabriel drew back from her embrace.
IL didn' spec you'd be glad to see ms
kizzy." he murmured. weakly. Il ain
deserVin q hit. ! nubber coined to m
senses ontwel | wah layin ia wild d
fevuh, lookin' tuh die. and when
sensed whut n fool ia been | said IF d
great MASTERED spar me I'd 20 back an
work fuh you de balance q my days
| left dat mean creetuh de minute | &c
de strength and heah | is-but | ain
deservin' no good treatment I'm yo
KiZzy-I ANTI
For answer she drew him tenderly il
side the yard.
"Lau' Belle! I.au Belle. come hea
quick" she cried, and I.au' Belle at tn
spring knew by the gladness i'm her ton
that Pap had come home.
Thank de Lawd," she hreathed feI
ventlY, casting aside her pail and gour
dipper that she might climb the hin fast
er, DE conjure is broke and de five do
lars is saved"'-[S. b. HaCkleY.