The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1906-06-07
CHAPTER v.


on long pike that divided the
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. Troye
halted, looking Off at the far hills.
Then he heard step behind him and,
as he turned, saw tall man approach
Ing at quick pace. The latter had no
overcoat. A knit muffier covered his
throat, and satchel hung from a
strap on his shoulder.
What ho, boyp' said he, shivering.
"Tll 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
"All WELL" said Trove, who was de-
lighted to see the clock tinker, of whom
he had thought often. "And what Of
your
Like an old clock, sor--a weak
spring an a 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"
II think you yourself will need tink-
ering."
"Ah, but thank the good God here Is
me home," the old man remarked
wearily.
I'm going to school here" said
Trove, "and hope may see you often"
Indeed, boy, we'll have many
blessed hour" said the tinker. Come
to me shop; wen talk, mediate, ex-
plore, an I'll see what o'clock II 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 dlngy 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 n flight of sagging. riekety
stairs. At the height of a mans head
an old brass dial was nailed to the
gray boards. Roughly lettered In lamp
black beneath 1t were the words,
"Clocks Mended." They climbed the
shaky stairs to a landing. supported by
long braces. and whereon was broad
door with latch and keyhole In its
weathered timber.
"All bow ut this door," said the old
tinker as he put his long iron key In
the lock. "Its respect for their own
heads. not for mlne." 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
c0gwheels Of wood and brass were on
a long bench by the street window.
Thereon also were a wise and tools.
The room was cleanly. with a crude
homelikeness about 1t. Chromos and
illustrated papers had been pasted on
the rough board walls.
ION me life, II Is cold" said the tink.
err opening a small stove and begin
ming to whittls 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.
IL do not feel the cold" said Trove.
taking one Of them.
Belize, 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. ~
wish you to keep II. sir"
Wherefore, boy? 'Twould best
serve me on thy back"
"Please take It," said Trove. 81 can
not bear to think Of you shiverlng In
HE cold. Take 1t, and make me hap
py."
"Well. II II keer me warm an thee
1iappy 1t will be Won ,erful coat"
said the old man. wlplng his gray
eyes.
Then he rose and filled the stove with
wood and sat down, peerlng ut Trove
between the upper rim Of his specta-
cles and the feathery arches OF silver
ed hair upon his brows.
''Thy coat hath warmed me heart al.
ready-thanks to the good Godw said
he fervently. "Why so kind?"
IF am kind, 1t is because I must
be-" said the boy. "Who were my ia
ther and mother never knew. II I
meet man who Is In need I say to
myself, He may be my father or my
brother; must be good to him. and II
1t Ia woman cannot help thinking
that maybe she Is my mother or my
sister So should have to be kind to
all the people In the world IL were to
meet them"
"Noble suspicion. by the faith o. me
fathers!' said the old man. thought
fully rubbing his long nose. "An' have
~ thought further In the matter7
Have ye seen whittier II goesT
II fear not"
"Well, sor, under the ancient law, ye
reap as ye have sown, but more abun-
dantly. Igave me coat to one that need
cd 1t more an by the goodness O. God
I have reaped another an two friends.
Hold to thy course. boy. Thou shalt
have friends an know their value. An
then thou shalt say. Tll be kind to this
man because he may be u friend an
love shall increase In thee an around