Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-14
CHAPTER V.

on long plke InaC QlVlQeQ tne village of Hillsborough and cut the waste of snow, winding over hills and dipping into valleys, from Lake Cham plain to Lake Ontario. The air was cold, but full of magic sunfire. All things were aglow-the frosty road way, the white fields, the hoary forest and the mind of the beholder Trove halted, looking off at the far hills. Then be heard step behind him and, as he turned, saw tall man approach ing at quick pace. The latter had no overcoat. A knit muf11er covered his throat, and satchel hung from a strap on his shoulder.
 .'What ho, boyr' said he, shivering. "I'll follow thee month, devise with thee where thou shalt rest that thou may'st hear of us an we O thee. What O thy people an the fillyT' Y
 All we'll" said Trove, who was de- lighted to see the clock tinker of whom he had thought often. And what of you?''
 Like an old clock, sor-a weak spring an bit slow. But, praise God, I've yet merry gong in me. An what think you, sor. I've travelled sixty miles an tinkered forty clocks in the week gone"
 'I think you yourself will need tink- ering."
 "Ah, but I thank the good God here is me home," the old man remarked wearily. ...s. -,s.........
 I'm going to school here" said Trove, "and hope may see you often" 1"
 Indeed, boy, we'll have many a blessed hour," said the tinker. Come to me shop; we'll talk, mediate, ex- plore, an I'll see what o'clock it is in thy country"
 They were now in the village, and, halfway down its main thoroughfare, went up street of gloom and narrow ness between dingy workshops. At one of them, shaky and gray with the stain of years, they halted. The two lower windows in front were dim with dirt and cobwebs. A board above them was the rude sign of Sam Bas- sett, carpenter. On the side of the old shop was flight of sagging, rickety stairs. At the height of mans head an old brass dial was nailed to the gray boards. Roughly lettered in lamp black beneath it were the words, Clocks Mended." They climbed the shaky stairs to landing. supported by long braces, and whereon was broad door with latch and keyhole in its weathered timber.
 All bow at this door," said the old tinker as he put his long iron key in the lock. Its respect for their own heads, not for mine," he continued, his hand on the caves that overhung be- low the level of the door top.
 They entered loft open to the peak and shingles, with window in each end. Clocks. dials, pendulums and tiny cogwheels of wood and brass were on a long bench by the street window. Thereon also were wise and tools. The room was cleanly, with a crude homelikeness about 1t. Chromos and illustrated papers had been pasted on the rough beard walls.
 'On me life. 1t Is cold" said the tink- CT, opening a small stove and begin ming to whittle shavings. "'Cold as a dead mans nose.' Be seated an try try to be happy"
 There were an old rocker and two small chairs in the room.
 T do not feel the cold" said Trove, taking one of them.
 "Belike. good youth. thou hast the rose of summer in thy cheeks" said the old man.
 @And no need of an overcoat." the boy answered, removing the one he wore and passing 1t to the tinker. T wish you to keep it, sir.'
 "wherefore, boy? 'Twould Q best serve me on thy back"
 Please take it." said Trove T can not bear to think of you shivering in the cold Take it, and make me hap py."
 "well, if it keep me warm an thee happy it will be a wonderful coat, said the old man. wiping his gray eyes.
 Then he rose and filled the stove with wood and sat down, peering at Trove between the upper rim of his specta- cles and the feathery arches of silver cd hair upon his brows.
 Thy coat hath warmed me heart al- ready-thanks to the good God-' said be fervently. Why so kindY"
 If I am kind. 1t is because I must oe," said the boy. Who were my fa- ,ther and mother I never knew. If Aleet c man who is in need say to myself. He may be my father Jr my brc'thrr; must be good to him. and if It is a woman I cannot help thinking that maybe she is my mOtker Ss :sT sister. So should have to bs Kind to eII the teOple in the world If I were to sleet them.
 ~NobIe si,spici0a. by the faith O me fathers-- sasd the old maa- thought fully rubbing ks bong nose An have se thought fuNasr In the matterl Have ye seen whlther i, eo~sy-
 T fear not
 -welL sor. under ssile aneient law. ye reap as ye have soua. but mOr- aiin- iantIy. Ixave me cat Ls one that neeI- ei t more. an by tie eyrlasss O Goi I have reapei snother an tvO frieDlls- Hosf 10 fhy eozrxe. boy TSJa shsIt have frie,ds an know fheir vahpe- An then thou ssaIf say. III be kind @ this rusu hr~mwsn hs rrar F.e . frSenf.f an