Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-01-04
UNCLE HEWITTS
HIGHWAYMANQ9
By LULU LINTON

/ hOMN the path toward the barn
/ IL trudged Uncle Hewitt. his lantern
casting splashes Of light out into the
/ darkness OF that hour which comes just
before daybreak
The wagon had been loaded with pro-
duce the night before. 50 that when he
had harnessed old Bets he would be
ready to start on his drive OF 20 miles
% The city. lie was congratulating him
self upon his early start when the
kitchen door opened with a creak, and
Aunt Mandy called in cautious tones:
Hewitt, o Hewitt, youll be careful on
the way home won you?'
Yes, I'll be careful! be called back.
cheerily
And don't forget to put your money
In the sack and pin Il inside your vest
with that safety.pin I gave you
n won't forget be answered, still
walking on.
The kitchen door closed then opened
quickly with a decided squeak and Aunt
Mandy called, IN an exaggerated stage
whisper Hewitt 0 Hewitt" and the
whisper reached him down the length
Of the yard What you want?' he
asked. a tride GROSSLY. for he did not
like to be detained.
Are you sure you've got the pistol?''
Yes I'm just as sure Of II as I've been
every time I've started to the city for
the last Is years. and just as sure won
have any use for ii, and III say right
now that this is the last time ever in
tend 10 carry the old thing along."
He shut the yard gate with bang that
put a stop to all further warnings from
the kitchen door
out upon the road he started old Bets
at brisk trot. meaning TO cover a good
part OF the drive before the sun came up.
His lantern cast shadows upon each
side OF the familiar road, making IL
look strange and ghostly.
faint much wonder Mandy worries
and feels uneasy about me. he unused.
As many trips as | make before day
and after night. il does seem bit risky,
and always coming home with money
too. but as for that highwayman OF
hers that she's always conjuring up.
that's too ridiculous for any use
guess the days past for highwaymen In
this civilized country leastways round
about here. and he chuckled as he
thought OF the many times be had
listened to his wife's admonition from
the crack of the kitchen door.
The sun rose upon a glorious autumn
morning. and Uncle Hewitt logged into
the city in time for early market The
load Of produce sold unusually well, and
by a little after noon Uncle Hewitt was
ready for the return trip.
After he had passed the city limits
he stopped old Bets by the roadside, and
put the proceeds OF his sales into the lit
lie bag stitched by Aunt Mandys care
full fingers for this purpose. lie pinned
the bae inside his vest with the safety
min and then started again on the
homeward trip.
when about halfway home be saw 10
the road just ahead Of him a dappei
voune man. who walked with 2 slight
linn. As Uncle Hewitt drew up even
with him. the stranger looked mp and
asked with a pleasant smile Gould
YOU give a fellow lift for few miles
well. now. I reckon I can, II YOU
think that riding behind old Bets VIII
no any quicker way Of getting over the
road than walking Uncle Hewitt re-
sponded
at may not be any quicker but it vii
certainly be easier for one who is slight
~ crippled. and I'm sure am very CRATE
full to you.
cribs ain II stylish rig." Uncle Hewitt
said. as he moved over 10 make room o1
The seat for his passenger. Its Just my
but it's a good one, ano
mas hauled many a paving load for me.
The Young man proved a good listen.
or and as Uncle Hewitt liked nothing
better than a good listener be waXea
sloouept in his descriptions Of the mar
lar business and the management Of Q
paying uuck-farm-
Tbe Young man asked such very IN
te1Iieent questions al such opporlnnt I
ti,pes that Uncle Hewiu's heart warmed
+,,rsrd him. and he was soon teiline NM
witb the utmost freedom OF his success
81 Inc day. of the early selling out anl
~ me- round sum the produce ha5
brought him. H..
The talk continued on various INES
~ teamwork uutil in the midst q e dis
sertation on the value q rotten Nooo
nsed as a fertilizer % start sWeet-Io.a.o
he5s properly. Uncle Hewitt was inter
rrnted bv the Young man exclaimins' !