Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-02-04

war against the White Caps, deni-
zens Of Six Crossroads, seven miles
west Of Plattvilie. The natives were
much more afraid Of the White Caps
than he was. They knew more about
them and understood them better than
lie did.
There was no thought Of the people
Of the Crossroads In his mind as he sat
on the snake fence staring ut the little
smoky shadow dance on the white road
In the June sunshine. On the contrary,
he was occupied with the realization
that there had been man in his class
at college whose ambition needed no
restraint, his promise was SO great-in
the strong belief Of the university, be-
lief he could not help knowing-and
that seven years to day from his com.
mencement this man was sitting on
fence rail in Indiana.
Down the pike a buggy came creak.
Ing toward him, gray with dust. old
and frayed like the fat, shaggy gray
mare that drew it, her unchecked, de-
| spondent head lowering before her.
while her incongruous tail waved in
cessantly, like the banner of storming
party. The editor did not hear the
flop Of the mares hoofs nor the sound
Of the wheels, so deep was his rev.
erie, till the vehicle was nearly oppo.
site him. The red faced and perspir-
ing driver drew rein. and the journal
list looked up and waved q long white
hand to him in greeting.
"Howdy' do. Mr.. Harkless" called
the man in the buggy. "Soakin' in the
weather." He spoke in shouts, though
neither was hard Of hearing.
Eyes, just soaking" answered Hark-
less '1t's such gypsy day. How is
Mr.. Bowlder?"
I'm givin' good satisfaction, thank
you, and all at home. She's in town."
"Give Mrs. Bowlder my regards"
said the journalist, compromising the
symbolism. How is Hartley?"
The farmers honest face shaded over
for second. "Hes ben steady ever
sence the night you brought him home,
six weeks straight. I'm kind Of both
cred about tomorrow--he wants to come
In for show day. and seems If hadn't
any call to say no. l reckon he'll have
to take his chance--and us too. Seems
more like we'd have to let him. long as
we got him not to come in last night
for Hedge Halloway's lecture ut the
courthouse. Say, how'd that lecture
strike you? You give Hedge a mighty
fine send-off to the audience in your In.
PRODUCTION. but l noticed you spoke of
him as a thinker without sayin' what
kind. | didn't know you was as eau
tious man as that. OF course know
Hedge is honest
Harkless sighed. "Oh, he's the best
we've got. Bowlder."
"Yes, I presume 80. butt Mr.. Bowl
der broke Off suddenly as his eyes
opened in surprise, and he exclaimed
Law, Id never of expected to see you
settln' here today! Why mint you out
at Judge Briscoe's!" This speech seem
cd to be intended with some humor, for
Bowder accompanied it with the loud
laughter Of sylvan timidity rsking d
joke.
} "why? What's going on at the
} judges?"
"Goin' on! Didn't you see that
strange lady Mt the lecture with Minnie
! Briscoe and the judge and old Fisbee? Z"
I'm afraid not. Bowlder."
J "They couldn't talk about anything
} else at the postoffice this mornin' and
at Tom Martins. She come yesterday
on the afternoon accommodation. You
ought to know all about 1t because
when Minnie anu her father went to
the deepoe they had old Fisbee with
'em, and when the blackboard come
through town he was settin' on the
back seat with her That's what stir
red the town up so. Nobody could fig
ger it out any way. and nobody got
much of q good look at her then except
Judd Bennett. He said she had kind OF
new look to her. That's all any OF
'em could git out Of Judd. He was in d
sort of dreamy state. But Mildly Up
ton You know Mildly? She works out
at Briscoe's"-
"Yes, know Mildly"
"She come In to the postofflce Will
the news this lady's name was Sher
wood and she lives at Rouen. Miss
Tibbs says that wasn't no news-yor
could tell she was city Indy with boil
your eyes shut. But Mildly says Fisbet
4 was goin' to stay for supper. and ht
g come to the lecture with 'em and drove
! off with 'em Afterwards. Sol Tibbs
: says he reckoned it was because Fisbet
= was the only man in Carlow that Bris
e Goes thought had read enough book!
: to be smart enough to talk to her. bu
i Miss Seliny says II that was so they't
s have got you instead. and so they hat
d to all jest about give it up. OF COURSE
e everybody got good look mt her at thu
o lecture-they set on the platform RICH
d behind you and Holloway, and she die
!. look smart. What got me. though. wa
II the way she wore kind of a little dag
: ger stuck straight through her head
6 Seemed good deal Of Il sacrifice jes
r to make sure your hat was on right
g You never see her ut alp
J. I'm afraid not" answered Harkles
c absently. Miss Briscoe stopped me oil
r the way out and told me she had
visitor"
k Young man." said Bowlder, "yol
r better go out there right away" IL
It raised the reins and clucked to the gra.
J. mare. "Well. she'll be mad l amt il
= town for her long ago. Ride In will