Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-10-01

to refrain from 1t now.
"You've been lookin' fer the last
three months like n man that needed
more land" he said. Jest no furdcr
back AN last night you lowed ef you
could git enough fer yore folly to raise
the debt off'n yore farm you'd die nap
py, an now yo'rc a-frettin' beca' SO you
didn't buy up the sides o, the earth an
give nobody else foothold. Lee me
tell you the truth, even Of 1t does hurt
little. Ef Alan hadn't thought o
this heer railroad idea. you'd "a been
the biggest human pancake that ever
lay fat in its own grease"
II han't said nothin' to the contra
ry," admitted Bishop. who really took
the reproof well. ALAN knows what
! think about it,
Then Bishop and his wife went to
Craigs bank, and moment later Nil
Ter returned. rubbing his hands with
satisfaction.
I'VE got through. and he's gone TO
catch his rain he said
1T worked as smooth as goose grease.
I wonder what Pole Baker said to him,
or If he saw him. I have an idea he
did, from the way Wilson danced to our
music"
"Heer's Pole now" said Abner from
the door. Come in heer. Won tritlin'
loafcr. an give an account o yore-
sc'f."
II seed I'm maxim fer the train"
laughed Pole. IAN so I sneaked in to
see what you uns done lie walked
like he owned the town"
1T went through like lightnin', with
out a hitch or a bobble." Abner told
him.
"You did noble" said Miller, while
Pole and Alan were silently clnspng
hands Now | told You we wouldn't
forget you. Go down to Wimbley's and
tell him to give you the best suit Of
clothes he's got and to charge them to
me and Alan"
Pole drew himself up to his full
height and stared at the lawyer with
flashing eyes.
BLAST yore SOUL he said. Don't
You say thing like that to me agin.
I'll have you know I've got feelin' =
as well as you or anybody else. I'd cut
of this right arm an never vince to do
Alan Bishop a favor. but I'll be DANCED
ef anybody kin look me over after I've
done little one an pay me for 1t in
store clothes. don't like that one bit,
an amt afeerd to say So"
Il didn't mean any offense, Pole"
opologized Miller most humbly.
oil 10 En-
some men," growled Pole. Il know
that. When l want pay fer a thing
like that. I'll Jest go to that corner O.
the street an look down at that rock
pile whar Alan found me one day an
paid me out jest to keep me from bein'
the laughin' stock O. this town."
Alan put his arm over his shoulder.
"Rayburn didn't mean any HARM" he
said gently. You are both my friends,
and we've had a big victory today.
Let's not have hard feelings"
Pole hung his head stubbornly and
Miller extended his hand. Abner Dan
iel was an attentive listener, a half
emile on his face.
Say, Pole" he said, with little
laugh. "you run down to Wimblcy' 3
an tell i'm not to wrop up that suit.
I'm a-owin' him bill. an he kin jest
credit the value Of 1t on my account"
Pole laughed heartily and thrust his
big hand into Miller's.
Uncle Abb" he said, you'd make a
dog laugh"
81 believe yo're right" said Abner
significantly, and then they all roared
at Poles expense.
The next day Alan received the fol
lowing letter from Dolly Barclay:
Dear Alan-Rayburn Miller told me in
confidence OF your wonderful success yes
terday. and simply cried with JOY.
knew--I felt that you would win. and
this is. as he says, glorious beginning.
! am so proud of you. and | Am so full OF
hope today. All our troubles will come
out right some day. and now that | know
you love me / can wait. Rayburn would
not have confided so much to me, but he
said while he would not let me tell father
anything about the prospective railroad
he wanted me to prevent him from selling
his tract of land near yours. You know
my father consults me about all his bust
ness. and he will not dispose of that
property without my knowing OF It. Oh
wouldn't II he a fne joke on him to have
him profit by your good judgment.
!, Alan was at the little postotf1ce In
Filmore's store when he received the
letter, and he folded it and restored II
TO its envelope with heart filled with
} love and tenderness. AS he walked
home through the woods it seemed tc
him that everything in nature was
!, mnistering to his boundless happiness
He felt as light as air as he strobe
along. God bless her dear, dear little
. soul!' he said fervently.