Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-25
HIS WINTON
SLOW NJ ESS
By HARRIET
G. Garfield
Copyright, 1903, by T. c. Mcclure

The first Winton that "came over"
had incurred the lasting displeasure of
the first Albright. l believe he had
been slow in paying debt-at least
there was a general Impression that
"the Winton slowness" was responsible
for the feud. Beyond doubt the pres
ent Wintons-father and son-were
slow of speech and movement. Mrs
Winton and Sue did not share in "the
family failing"
When Amos Albrght's wife had died
he had persuaded a younger brother to
move in and run the farm"-they
were two miles out of town-and Grace
who was then fifteen, was sent east to
young ladies' seminary. During her
four years absence from Highmead
her once vivid recollections of the en-
nifty between the Albrights and Win
tons grew dim and shadowy. When,
on the day following graduation, she
was invited to spend week at class
mates home it was with no feeling of
apprehension that she heard her friend
say. Brother George has asked Jack
Winton to come down with him from
Harvard. and we shall be quite gay"
The Wintons that she knew had n
son, but his name was John. This
young man proved to be well built, self
possessed and clear of skin. and John
Winton had been Il long, lank. freckled
boy, very 5ashful, she remembered.
To be sure there was a certain drawl
in her new acquaintance speech,
which reminded her of that boy" but
perhaps all Wintons were slow spoken.
The four young people thoroughly
enjoyed the week they spent together,
and it was with delight that Jack Win
ton discovered on the eve of his de-
parture that Miss Albrights destina-
ton was the same as his own. I'm
glad that we travel together" he said.
Yes" Grace assented hesitatingly.
Jacks face flushed. and he turned to
his host with the explanation, Miss
Albright has just recognized an old en-
envy in your humble servant"
ooh, no. Grace protested. IF our
fathers are foes we need not be-" And
she held out her hand to him. with a
friendly lttle gesture.
During the three days journey west
ward their friendship progressed rap
idly They were in the midst of one of
many animated conversations when
Mr.. Amos Albright boarded the train
at y, station some thirty miles from
IIighmead. Grace saw him coming
down the aisle.
"There is father" she said hurriedly.
Hell not recognize you, I'm sure, |
believe I'll introduce you as Mr.. Jack"
When Mr.. Albright bent to kiss his
daughters upturned face he looked
keenly at the young man beside her
Mr.. Jack. father" Grace murmured
and blushed guilty when the two
men shook hands gravely. and Jack
offered the newcomer his seat.
'Ill move opposite" he said in his
pleasant drawl, IF you don't object"
Before they reached Highmcad he
found himself drawn into the conversa-
ton. To his daughters delight Mr.. AL
bright seemed to enjoy talking with
her friend. Sensible young mani" he
said to Grace when Jack went into the
ed into IIighmead. On the homeward
drive he spoke of him again. "I've sell
dom met young man." he said. las
intelligent as Mr.. Jack. Queer name,
isn't it? If my eyes We're shut while he
was talking I'd declare he was Win
ton"
"IIe is, father" Grace confessed. He
is Mr.. Jack Winton."
Amos Albright looked at his daugh-
ter for moment in dumb amazement
I'm sorry" he said at last. "but that
settles him"
Jack Winton refused to be thus sum
marily settled" The next day he
came to call and was received so coldly
by his unwilling host that he knew at
once that his identity had been re-
vealed.
"AIr. Albright" he said in his DELHI
crate way, Pm Winton, as you've evil
IDENTIFY discovered, but the Wintons are
not such a bad lot, after all. Aren't
you bit prejudiced?"
Not a whit more than your father
is" Mr.. Albright said stifly
eyes, / know. Mother and Sue hadn't
a word TO say when | spoke of calling
here, but the pater raised storm-al-
most forbade me TO come. Really. now,
what have you against me-the Win
ton slownessY"
"Ies. | hate a laggard in anything.
That's enough to condemn you, sir. My
daughter can receive you, if she wishes,
whenever you may call, but | must ask
you to excuse me now-and always" A
chilling request, but Jack went away
happy in the thought that Grace still
considered him as a friend and had
asked him to come again.
In spite of the enmity between the
heads Of the two houses Mrs. Winton
and her daughter were exchanging
calls with Grace Albright before the
summer waned. Amos Albright still
disapproved of Jack, though he could
discover nothing Objectionable in his
conduct. The young man seemed to