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

II
\" about 10 o'clock the next
EW morning and opened the door,
Wx.@gJ he noticed that Craig's bank
on the cover across the street was
still closed. 1t was an unusual oc.
currence at that hour, and it riveted
Millers attention. Few people were on
the street, end none u them saS~aA-s
to have noticed it. bell VAS ringing
for the prayer meeting which was be-
ing conducted by travelling evangelist
In the church in the next block, and
Miller saw the merchants and lawyers
hurrying by on their way to worship.
Miller stood in his front door and bow
ed to them as they passed. Trabue
hustled out of his office, pulling the
door to with jerk.
Prayer meeting?" he asked, glanc-
ing at Miller.
mo, not today" answered Miller;
got some writing to do
THAT preachers hummer" said
the old lawyer. I've never seen his
equal. He'd "a made q bang up GRIM
inal lawyer. Why. they say old Joe
Murphy's converted - got out of his
bed at midnight and went to Tim So-
Gums house 10 get I'm TO pray for i'm.
He's denied char was God all his life
till now. l say preachers worth two
hundred to a town if it can do that sort
of work"
Hes certainly worth 1t to Slocum."
said Miller with smile. IF I'd been
denying there was a God as long as
he has. I'd pay more than that to get
rid of the habit. Slocum's able and
I think he ought to foot that prese her's
bill"
"You are a tough customer, Miller"
said Trabue, with a knowing laugh.
You'd better look out--he's got an eye
on you. He'll call out yore name some
O. these days an ask US to pray fer
you"
II was just wondering If there's any
thing wrong with Craig" said Miller.
IL see his door not open"
"Oh, I reckon not" said the old law
yer Hes been taking part in the
meeting. He may have oversight"
There was a grocery store near Mil
lers Office, and the proprietor came out
on the sidewalk and Joined the two
men. His name was Barnett. He was
a powerful man, who stood six feet
five in his boots. He wore no coat, and
his suspenders were soiled and knotted.
II see you uns is watchin' Craig's
door" he said, ''I've had my eye on it
ever since breakfast. l hardly know
what to make of it. went thar to
buy some New York exchange to pay
for bill o flour but he wouldn't let
me in. | know he's thar. for I seed
i'm 20 in about all hour ago. | mighty
nigh shook the door off n the hinges.
His clerk that western fellow, Win
ship has gone off TO visit his folks, an
l reckon maybe Craigs got all the
bookkeepn' TO do"
well. he oughtn't to keep his doors
! closed at this time of day remarked
| Miller. "A man who has other peoples
money in his charge can't be too care
/ full"
Hes got some O. mine" said the
grocer, and Mary Ann Tarpley, my
wfes sister. put $500 thar day before
yesterday. oh, reckon nothin's wrong,
though | do remember | heerd some
body say Craig bought cotton futures
an sometimes got skeerd up little
about meetin' his obligations"
Il have never heard that said Ray
burn Miller, raising his brows,
well, have. an I've heerd the
same O Winship" said the grocer, but
l never let it go no furder. l amt no
hand to circulate i'll reports agin good
member of the church"
Miller bit his lip, and an unpleasant
thrill passed over him as Trabus
walked on. twenty-five thousand"
he thought, is no small amount. 1t
! would tempt five men out of ten II
they were inclined to go wrong and
We're in a tight"
The grocer was lool ing at him stead
lily.
"You bank thar, don't your he asked.
Miller nodded. But l happen to
have no money there right now.
made deposit at the other bank yes
terday."
Suspicious, height Now, jest lit
tie, wasn't you2 The grocer now
spoke with undisguised uneasiness.
Not at ALL" replied the lawyer. Il
was doing some business for the other
bank and felt that l ought to favor
them by my cash deposits
you don't think thar's anything the
matter. do your" asked the grocer, his
face still hardening,
II think Craig Is acting queerly-
very queerly for banker" was MIL
lers slow reply. He has always been
most particular to open up early and
Hello" cried out CHEEKY voice,
that of the middle aged proprietor of
the barley FIGURING mills, emerging
from Barnetts store. Il see you fell