Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-12-24
WALTER BLOOMFIELD

KTNUUAAAltI nAAtN AIf FARN AANA+'
large bowl which he had carried about |
with him from my earliest recollection. /
and ir the intervals OF his putting re
lated some OF his experiences in Aus
trnlia and New Zealand. Many "a his
anecdotes We're interesting. but none SO
interesting 70 me as the Information.
casually disclosed. that my father and
he would be absent from the Hail near
Is the whole OF the next day surveying
orr vacant farms.
That night I could not sleep. and The
heavy hours dragged YEARLY. was
feverish and restless from suppressed
excitement. and the first streak OF
dawn was the signal for me 70 aban-
don my bed. threw my window open
wide. The day had risen fresh and
fair. and the birds We're busy seeking
their food. Nature was refreshed by
the storm OF yesterday. and the aspect
before the told OF peace and reanima-
ton.
1 thought. perhaps 4 little sadly. o.
my old life at home before l had seen
uncle sam. and OF the great change
hat had come over my habits. thoughts
and hopes within the past few months.
lamentng that extended knowledge
should not always signify increased
happiness. bot too ofren the contrary.
endeavored. but not very efectually.
10 comfort myself with the reflection
that the matters wh.-b troubled my
father and l were not OF our creation.
neither were they very much within
our control The die was cast. and I
must redeem my promise TO my uncle;
there was no escape from it now. how
ever distasteful the, task The honor
os our whole famnd and my own per
sonal interest. largely depended on IA,
issue.
At breakfast my father and Mr. Vol
soy talked very freely. but still care
, fully avoided any reference TO uncl'
sam. The former was particular,
-ous.iCrate and asked me 20 accom-
nany him over THE vacant farms Ina th
. old Kind way in which hc had Away
. been used 90 spcak to me. SO thai
= WIS hard put go ir 60 excuse myself.
! My father and Mr.. Wolsey were n
, sooner departed than / sought job
Adams. and found the Old man Ia al
#, stable polishing a harness.
\ "John." 4 said. put the hay mare
i. the dos-ca.t whiic go Ia the house !
write note. / want you to 20
~ chev.nGton at once"
~ 10 Chev.ngton. Master Erusstc- al
~ cd mann echoed in tone OF surprise.
.e yes. go Chevlngton.' I repcatc
- Look sharp, there's no time to los
~ I shall DE back again IN two or thr,
minutes"
lt When l returned with my hastl
re scrib0le apology Adams was bacsir
O. the maze INFO the SnaftS. and vel
he soon afterwards was ready 10 start ,
* his Journey.
x Take this" I said. giving the O.
man The letter. land deliver it 10 Nj
ut ButterweM at Ningst thorpe Grane
To- Chevlnsion. Don't drive the mare @
re fast; give hey a good bait and at lea
in IA hours rest at Chevington."
I'd "Win there be any answer TO 4
re. letter. inquired the old man.
\ Il don't know; possibly there r
ID be-"
went 20 the gate and watched Z
en- old man drive away until he was I,
," 20 my sight in the bend OF the ros
=, and then. returning into the bou
'iu went direct 90 Adams bedroom.
ne SO far as ! remembered. / had ne,
an been ia that room i'm my life, thou
1'- J perfectly well knew which room
M WAS. To my great annoyance I fou
''A that the door was securely lock
ny After considering this circumstaI
ise .for some moments 1 decided not
TOT ring Tor a servant but to 90 mys
NY 10 the kitchen.
IA In the kitchen my unexpected pT
az ence created surprise, aud the hou
Use keeper came forward 20 meet me-
las There is something in Adams b
u room l want; he has just gone 9
nat ana the door appears 10 be locked.
M you know where l can ind the Ike.
ars l asked.
'er- "He always carries 1t about "
zen him"
the "Whatw I exclaimed. does ie Gle
us his own room and keep it Iockedg'
y Yes. sir" answered the no,
ust keeper.
on How long has this beeny' I
lth quired.
ma Years and years: can't tell
ne how long" answered the woman, 81
eah iAg.
anu l waited no longer. but went at o
ny TO a granary at the back OF the sta
my where tail ladder was kept. Tho
not the door of Adams, hedroom
50 locked. the window. / had noticed.
sne open. BY that means would i get
the bedroom. IL possible; II not. 1
OF / NNollld | hraak into N nv Inrca