Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-10-05
The diary Of my good old friend lied

1u0 UuuEy VI ny 0VO>s Vau IIISUU lien
before me a. I write. the leaves turned
yellow and the entries dim. I remeu,.
Der how stern he grew Of an evening
when he took ont this sacred little rec
ord Of our wsnderinss and began 10
write in It with his stub Of pencil.
lie wrote slowly and read and reread
each entry with grent care as I held
the torch for him. BE still. boy; he
still" he would say when some press.
ing interrogatory passed my lips. and
then he would bend to his work while
the point Of his pencil bored farther
into my impotence. Beginning here. I
shall quote few entries from the
diary, as they cover with sufficient de.
tail an uneventful period Of our Jour.
ney:
August the Goth. Killed a partridge
today. Billed IT in the teapot for din.
ner. Went good. IA mild.
august the 2ist. Seen n deer this
morning. Fred tit ag'in. Come near
spilin' the wagon. He'd to stop an FIX
the OK. 10 mild.
august the 22nd. Clumb a tree this
morning after wild grapes. Come near
falling. Gin me a little crick In the
back. Willie hes got a stun bruce. IL
mild.
August the Odd. Went In swimmin'.
Ketched q few fish before breakfus'.
Got provisions an two case knives an
one fork; also one tin pie plate. Used
same TO fry fish for dinner. u mild.
august the cath. Got some spirits
for Willie 10 rub on my back. Boots
wearing ont. Terrible hot. Lay in
the shade in the heat OF the day. Gym.
sizes come an camped by us tonight.
10 mild"
I remember well the coming Of those
gypsies. We were fishing In sight Of
the road, and our fire was cracking on
the smooth cropped shore. The big
wagons Of the gypsies there were four
Of them, as red and beautiful as those
of circus CONGRATULATED about sun
down while the men caine over mo-
ineMt to scan the field. Presently they
went back and turned their wagons into
the siding and began to unhitch. Then
Under gay shawls Overran the field,
gathering wood and making ready for
night. Meanwhile swarthy drivers
took the horses 70 water and tethered
them with long ropes so they could crop
the grass Of the roadside.
One tall, bony man, with a face al
most as black as that of an Indian,
brought big iron pot and set 1t up
near the water. A big stew Of beef
bone, leeks and potatoes began to cook
shortly, and remember IL had such n
gOodly smell was minded TO ask them
for taste OF IT, a little city Of strange
people had surrounded us of sudden.
Uncle Eb thought Of going on, but the
night was coming fnst, and there would
be no moon, and we were footsore and
hungry. Women and children came
over to our Dire after supper and made
more Of me than ] liked.
remember taking refuge between
the knees Of Uncle Eb, and Fred sat
close In front Of lis, growing fiercely
when they came too near. They stood
about, looking down ut us, and whis-
pered together and one young miss OF
the tribe came up and tried to kiss
me In spite of Freds warnings. She
had flashing black eyes and hair as
dark as the night that fell In a curling
mass upon her shoulders; but. some
how. I had n mighty fear OF her and
fought with desperation to keep my
face from the touch of her red lips.
Uncle Eb laughed and held Fred by the
collar and l began to cry ont in terror
presently, when, to my great relief, she
let 20 and ran away TO her own people
They all went away to their wagons,
save one young man. who was tall
with light hair and fair skin, and
sizes.
Take care OF yourself" he whis.
pered as soon as the rest had gone
These are bad people. You'd better he
off,"
The young man left us, and Uncle Eli
began to pack up ut once. They were
going to bed in their wagons when we
came away. stood in the basket, and
Fred drew the wagon that had in 1t
only few bundles. A mile or more
farther on we came to lonely. desert
ed cabin close 10 the road. 1t had be
gun to thunder in the distance and the
wind was blowing damp.
"Guess nobody lives here" said Uncle
Eb as he turned in at the sagglng gate
and began TO cross the little patch Of
weeds and hollyhocks behind It. Doors
half down, but guess it'll de better n
no house. Coin t rain sartin"
was nodding a little about then. l
remember, but was wide awake when
he took me out OF the basket. The old
house stood on high hill, and we
could see the stars OF heaven through
the ruined door and one Of the back
windows. Uncle Eb lifted the leaning
door a little and showed 1t aside We
heard then quick stir in the old house
"a loud and ghostly rustic 1t seems
now az l think Of it-like that made by
linen shaking on the line. Uncle Eb
took step backward as II II had star
tied him.
"Gupss It's nuthin' TO be 'fraid Of" he
said, feeling In the pocket OF his coat
He had struck match In a moment
BY its pickering light could see only
a bit Of rubbish on the floor.
Full O. white owls" said he, step.
ping inside. where the rustling was
nnxu oouttruoua tVrhov'u IN ,,o M