Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-05

"He's t1s d' 0aCf,L stdte O. Yntnd, Mrs ss Buckley.'
 flushed and his hair dishevelIed over his brow. Just then Mrs. Buckley came into the office She took of her bon net, showing smooth, gray hair and deeply wrinkled brow and cheeks, and stood for moment behind her son. Hillyer fancied that their conversation might be of a private nature, and, talk ing up a grain sampler, he left the room. The sound of his heavy boots drew George Buckley's attention, and looking round he saw his mother. Her sympathetic eyes fell beneath his wild glare.
 II reckon Mr. Hillyer's already told you" she began.
 'Yes, he's told me"
 ..'Well, thar ain't but one thing fer sensible folks to do" faltered the wom- an, tan that's to make the best of 1t an go on tryin' to do our own duty"
 ''Yes,' he nodded vacantly, "you are right, mother. Are you going home tonightg'
 "No I lowed 1t ud look more re- spectful to stay till they tuck i'm off in the mornin'. The sheriff's wife axed me to spend the night with her in the Jail house, so could be nigh i'm"
 George Buckley shuddered visibly, but he said nothing. It gave Mrs. Buckley the opportunity she was look ing for.
 George, reckon bein' young as you are an'-an' mixin' with folks here in parley that hain't never been in. secl mess, It goes harder with you than 1t does with me, away out thar in the mountains, but I wish you wouldn't take 1t so hard. You caynt help yore pa's doin's. No, you cayn't, an no right minded folks ain't a-goin' to blame you. AS fer men-she paused an in stant as she began to roll her sunbon- net in her fat, red hands-"why, my boy, feel jest like awful load was tuck off'n me. cayn't help it. It may not be human-I don't know-but feel jest that away. You think yore cposs is hard to bear, but fer fifteen year I've hardly slept sound nights sleep, expectip' an expectin' the offi- cers O. the law to ride up an hello at the fence. An keepin' his secrets law, that's the wust of it, fer he would tell me every blessed bit O. devilment he ever was in. It all began away back fifteen year ago, when he fell off his wagon an struck his head agin q rock. He never got over that; 1t made i'm as i'll as a snake an mad at ever body, even his best friends. George, want to tell you how he did once when'
 Don't, don't don't!' the young man cried. know enough. don't want you ever to speak to me of his crimes" !"
 Well, I won't, then," promised the woman T reckon I've heard so much of his doin's that 1t don't horrffy me as much as it would you Well, I'll go on back. I'm goin' to Webber & Lands an buy him change O under clothes nm some socks
 When she had reached the big en- trance of the warehouse she saw Hill yer in the center of the building, walk ing back and forth, his gray head hang ing low, as If in troubled meditation. Turning as if from sudden impulse, she went and joined him. The two faced each other
 "I smelt liquor on 'im," she said tersely. T stood nigh to i'm; he's had i'm dram, MT. Hillyer."
 "Yes, he's had drink or two, Mrs. Buckley
 "Whar'd he git his whisky ?'' Is 'tJake followed i'm an seed i'm at Hillhouse's bar. hain't said word about 1t. It don't do one bit O good to preach to a man all upset in mind, an half full at that"
 tNo. yo're plumb right, an nobody kin drive George. I'm powerfully afraid this is goin' to be his downward start, Mir. Hillyer.''
 Don't say thatv' The words were spoken almost in groan, and the merchants sympathetic face seemed wrung with inward pain. Don't say that" he repeated, under his breath. 'fWe mustn't lose hope-we mustn't do that!'
 The old woman stared at the working face for moment in silence; then she asked abruptly, Mir. Hillyer. who is that family O Cranstons that's come here from VirginiaY'
 "Oh, you've heard O themT' said Hillyer, taking a breath. Major Cranston's a member of a fine old family, regular F. F. V.; he owns six or seven farms in this county an has lot O investments all over the country. He moved here about six months ago beca'se the climate agrees with i'm, an he haint very strong, George got acquainted with his daugh- ter. 2 pretty, likely gal but as proud