Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-12-10
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A MYSTERIOUS /
DISAPPEARANCE |
By ADA C. SWEET
ccOpyrisAt. 1905. by Daily story Pub. Co,
BY ADA C. SWEET


leys and courts, intent on reaching the
fields and their encirelng acres, here
and there, shaded by trees and shrubs,
and thiekly planted with the Dead.
Abner Hull stood aimlessly looking
about him. The street TO which he had
just walked from his cheap boarding
house, was one Of those which led
through the town. The old man
walked aimlessly on in the direction
taken by the overlooking electric
cars. His face, lined and weather
beaten, was serious, almost grim. The
corners Of his mouth dropped, his
shoulders were bent, his feet dragged,
his clothing hung loose upon his gaunt
frame; he looked, as he felt, forgotten
and alone in the world.
Suddenly a shrill, family heard, but
| persistent strain Of music came borne
on the soft south wind, the thin stream
of sound upheld by the throb of
drums Old Abner Hull stood still.
| Nearer came the music, and around
corner a square away wheeled double
line Of blue-clad men. Old Abner
hurried TO the curbstone, and stood
awaiting the little band Of veterans.
Hello, comrade," called a hearty
voice from the passing G. A. K. post.
| From the double file Of men, one
dropped out and grasped Abner's hand.
Where have you been? Haven't
seen nor heard Of you for ten years."
said the friendly veteran. "Come on,
fan in, let's see If you have any vim
left in YOU! You've grown little the
worse for wear since sixty-four-
the rest Of us"
Abner was hurried on after the blue
streak in the street, and was soon
marching along in step with the some
what slow pace Of the veterans
march
bring the good old bugle boys,
Wen have another song"
ehanted the war music
There IL isl Good old tunnel" said
Abner. and he stamped along Justify
with the others.
"You don't ask any questions,
Asher" said Abner, at last, just as the
train was backing in. And | know
why; but / am going to tell you, all
the same"
"All right" replied Hills, "but wait
tin we get settled in the car"
When they were seated side by side,
and the dingy houses began TO fly past
them as the train pulled out, Asher
his arm laid along the back Of the seat,
his hand touching Ahner's shoulder,
spoke:
Now out with it. And first-you
left home looking for work, and never
came back, never wrote. That much
know. How about it?"
The broken old soldier sat in silence,
for a time, embarrassed by his com.
rade's serutinizing look.
Married soon after the civil war 10 !
a woman Of strong will, rugged health,
and coarse grasping nature, the gentle |
warrior had fallen an easy victim TO |
petticoat government Of the absolute |
despotism type. Four strapping |
daughters in time became assistants to
their mother in the business Of carry
ing on the family affairs. His fifth |
daughter, Mandy, looked like him and 1
was like him in gentleness and refine
ment Of nature. and she came to be
the one ray Of sunshine in AbneI
Hull's dull and sordid existence. All
this had not TO be told, anyone could
see it, though no one could understand
the misery of it, looking from the out
side
Then Hills spoke:
Your wife-she's been dead more
than year, hasn't she?"
$50 they say-I'ye heard it from
strangers. l haven't let any Of the
girls know l am back-I want to find
Mandy, though. believe she'd like to
see me-"
"Of course she would! The others
are all married and living away from
the city, but Mandy boards with
Comrade Williams wife, and works at
the milliner's trade. Know that?"
Hull's face turned toward Hills, now
and glowed with pleasure.
Come" urged Hillis-''tell your
story, wen soon be at Rose Hill, and
AAtAN NpAA hN a ~ AAAAAts LAth a II AtA4
you more about Mandy Ny wife
thinks lot Of her"
"of course l ,.n't got any excuse"
returned Hull, in husky voice. "and
l shan't try to make any. II was the
moving, mostly, the everlasting NOV
ing from house to house. The eternal
and fault-fnding l could
stand, but the moving-Why, Ash, in
the % years we lived together we
moved more than 50 times-I kept
count, after the first five years. got
kind of crazy-sort of unreasonable
over it-moying. always moving. l
a day laborer l was, you
know-and l brought every cent /
earned home, and twas never enough.
And after awhile when the girls grew
up they went TO work, and then / was
less than nothing-used to sit out on
he back steps, there wasn't room for
me in our little place-too many big
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