Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-06-24

Frenchman came TO the congress last |
November You heard of that. may |
hap. There was the same excitement; |
a committee appointed. too, ! remem- |
Der. John Jay was upon It. They met |
the parsonage in room in Carpenters |
hall, and what think you they found? |
Why, little old frog eater with club |
foot, who when they asked him for his |
authority drew his hand across his |
throat, and says he, Gentlemen, | shall |
take care of my headp That was all
they could get out of him. Some imbe |
cile belize. And even then there were
those who saw great signs in it. \ pest
on all such, say ~
The Quaker shook his head doubtful |
ly. yet there is much hoped for from
this present message" he said. II
heard it on good authority some months
ago that French marquis was to come
hither. Twas said Benjamin Franklin
had written of the matter from Lon
don. Mayhap this is the same"
"Bosh" shifted Galloway. "'Tis alb
surd, say, the faith that is put in
such vain and empty hope! do know
that half the delegates have some such
folly in their heads The Declaration is
to be offered for signing tomorrow, and,
look you, it is in the minds of some
members to retard action upon it, hop
ing such a message from France may
bolster faint hearts"
"Thou dost not think they will sign,
then"
God forbid" rejoined Galloway fer
vently. Il cannot believe we are so
near madness as that. And yet would
that naught had been heard of mes
sage from France. Methinks tomorrow
will be warm. Good night to you, Nor
decai."
AS the two friends talked the chimes
had clangored from Christ church. and
just as the tones sounded stout
trunched old man with a shrewd. sim
pie face under a broad hat lifted the
latch of a nearby gate which barred
an oblong green yard from the street
Therein under a mulberry tree where
yellow cabbage butterflies went kiss
ing wings a chubby woman was sit
ting by Il table whereon stood some
books and a glass bottle containing a
two headed snake in spirits. Two
tousled children rolled and romped I'M
needed under foot. The film of twi
light was falling from n cooling sky.
You are late father" the woman
said as the old man greeted her. Sup
per is almost ready. Young Mr.. JEFF
ferson has sent word that he will be
here this evening do hope" she add
ed good naturally, that you won't
sit up all night again over that tiresome
paper he is writing Laws, One would
think it had been real speech"
She ran to fetch a dish of tea. and
her father sat down in his chair and
took off his hat His head was bald.
with a fringe of white hair. He was
hopping his forehead with a large
kerchief when she returned with the
tea.
BLESS mev' she said as the gate
clicked. Here is some one to see you
already. A young man and handsome"
she whispered, as he came nearer. "but
how pale" 1t was Armand.
rs this DR.. franklin he inquired.
at is"
Sir" said Armand, "a packet was
given secretly into your hands to hold
for me some time since sealed with a
red seal bearing four lances."
DR.. Franklin drew his brows together
with glance of surprise lid shook his
head.
surely you have received it,"
, There was curious rigor OF anxiety
! in the tone that caused DR., Franklin
, to glance sharply at his questioner.
The scrutiny satisfied him, for the look
of suspicion that had been sttfened
by the strenuous times faded into his
habitual benevolence.
Il recall none SUCH" he answered
| gravely. What name did it bear"
: 1T bore no name" The tone shook
now with confusion of apprehension
/ Il fear that is all the more reason
r that l could not have forgot it, These
are troublous days, sir, and faith not
t always to be relied upon. To whom
: did you intrust this document?'
Something like fear had come into
/ the others eyes, and DR.. Franklin for
e the first time noted with concern his
r agitation and pallor.
' To young lady of Virginia"
f Il am sorry, sir, deeply sorry" said
the old man. but no such packet has
: been put into my hands at any time"
,. Poor young man" sighed the moth
$ erly woman a few minutes later as she
. set the table for supper. what think
u you could have been in it, father? He
!. looked as if it had meant life or deatf
n to him"
= TO be continued.)