Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-10-08


his uncle and his mother and father
We're out in the front yard looking Mt
the house with view to making some
alterations that had been talked OF for
several years past.
II never had my way in anything be-
fora' Mrs. Bishop was running on in
the pleased voice of a happy child,
AN I'm glad you are goin' TO let me
this once. l want the new room to jut
out ON this side from the parlor an
have a bay window. an we must cut
Il wide foldin' door between the two
rooms. Then the old veranda comes
down, an the new one must have
double floor, like Colonel Sprag ue's on
the river, except ours will have round,
white columns instead o square, il
they do cost a trifle more"
"She knows what she wants." said
Bishop, with one of his infrequent
smiles, "an' L reckon we'd save a little
to let her boss the job eff she don't
hender the carpenters by too much
talk l don't want 'em to put in a stick
O. lumber that amt the best"
I'm glad she's going TO have her
way" said Alan. shes wanted bet.
ter house for twenty years, and she
deserves It,"
II don't believe in sech fine feath.
ers" said Bishop argumentatively. I'D
q leetle ruther wait till we see whether
Wilson's d-goin' to put that road
through. Then we could afford to put
OH dab or two O style. | don't know
but I'd move down to Atlanta an live
alongside O Bill, an wear a clawham-
mer coat an a dickey cravat fer q
change"
"Then YOU mought run fer the legis.
latur,' spoke up Abner Daniel. who
had been an amused listener, AN git
up law to pen up mad dogs at the
dangerous part O the ycer. Aft, I've
always thought you'd be a ornamen,
to the giddy whr down thar. William
was ever bit as green as you are when
he fust struck the town. But he had
the advantage O CROWN up an sorter
rpenin' with the place. 1t nd be hard
on you at yore time O life
At this juncturc Alan called their at.
tention to a horseman far down the
road. at looks like Ray Millers mare"
he remarked This is one of his busy
days. He can't he coming to fish,
"Railroad news" suggested Abner.
cts a pity you haint connected by
telegraph.'
They We're all now sure that it was
Miller, aud with no little curiosity they
moved nearer the gate.
BY gum, he's been givin' his mare
the lash" said Abner She's fairly
kivered with froth."
Hello, young man" Alan called out
as Miller dismounted at hitching post
Just outside the fence and fastened his
bride rein. "Glad to see you. Come
in
Miller bowed and smiled as he opened
the gate and came forward to shake
hands.
I'VE are certainly glad You came,
Mr., Miller" said Mrs. Bishop. with all
her quaint cordially. Ever since that
day in the office I've wanted chance
to show you how much we appreciate
what you done fer MS. Brother Alb will
bear me ont when ! say we speak Of
1t mighty nigh ever day"
Miller We're an inexpressible look OF
embarra ssIlent, which he tried to lose
in the act Of shaking hands all round
the group, tut his platitudeS fell to the
ground. Abncr, the closest observer
among them, already had his brows
drawn together as he pondpred Miler's
unwonted lack of ease.
Bring any fishing tackle" asked
Alan.
NO. I didn't" said the lawyer, jerk
ing himself to that subject awkwardy.
''lhe truth is, only ran out for a little
ride. I've got to get back"
Then it is business, as brother Alb
said" put in Mrs. Bishop tentatively.
Miller lowered his eyes to the ground
and then raised them to Aan's face.
Yes, its railroad business said Alb
ner, his voice vibrant with suspense.
And it's not favorable" said Alan
bravely. Il can see that by your
looks"
Miller glanced at his mare and dashed
the leg of his top boots with his rid
ing whip. mo; | have had news, but
it's not about the railroad. | could
have written, but l thought I'd better
come myself"
adele" gasped Mrs. Bishop. "You
have heard
mo; she's WELL" said Miller. ITS
about the money you put in Craig's
bank"
What about that?' burst from old
Bishops startled lips.
Craig claims Winship has abscond-
ed with all the cash. The bank has
failed"
"Failed" The word was a moan
from Bishop, and for a moment no one
spoke, A negro woman at the wash
place behind the house was using a
batting stick on some clothing. and the
dull blows came to them distinctly.
as that so, RayT asked Alan, calm
but pale to the lips.
I'm sorry to say it isl
"Can anything at all be done?"
eve done everything possible al
ready. We have been telcgraphing the
Atlanta police all morning about trac-
ing Winship, but they don't seem much
Interested. They think he's had too
big start on us, You see. he's been
gone two days and nights. Craig say,
he thought he was on a visit to rela
tiyes till he discovered the loss last
night"
en-, n n1J