The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-25

! TIT was early May and a bright morn
/ 81 Ing IN HilIsbor0ugh. There were
/ Ia Zines of stores and houses on eli
( Their side Of the main thoroughfare
+ from the river u Ioosehead inn, a
! long. low white building that faced
/ the public square. Hunters coming off
/ its yeranda and gazing down the
street. as if sighting over gun barrels
at the bridge. were wont to reckon the
distance nigh on TO forty rod" There
were Boston Stores" and Great En-
pofsums'' and shops. modest as they
were small. IN that forty rods of Hills
borough. Midway was a little white
building, its caves within reach Of
ones hand. its gable on the line Of the
sidewalk overlanging which, from
crane above the door. was a big golden
spool Ia its two windows We're lace
and ribbons and ladies' hats and spools
Of thread, and blue shades drawn high
FROM o'clock in the morning until
dark 1t was the little shop of Ruth
Tole, a house of fate on the way from
happening to history There secrets,
travel worn. were nourished awhile and
sent on their way; regulations were
made over and often trimmed with ex-
ceIIent taste and discrimination.
Ruth TOTE was behind the counter
sorting threads She was maiden u
middle life and severe countenance. o.
few and decisive words. The door OF
the little shop was ajar. and near it q
woman was knitting. She had a posi-
ton favorable for eye and ear She
could see all who passed on either
side of the way and not Il word or
move in the shop escaped her. In the
aisterhoOd she bore the familiar name
of Lie She had been talking about
that old case Of Riley Brooke and the
widow Glover.
Looks to me-" said she thoughtfuI3 /
as she ticlzled her scalp with 4 knitting
needle. that she took the kinks out
him. He's Il deal more respectable"
like a panther with his teeth pull
ed,' said a woman who stood by the
counter buying a spool of thread
"Ain't you heard how they made upT'
Land sakes, nor said Lie.
We'll, that old tinker gave 'ein both
q good talking to-" said the customer.
HE brings 'em face to face and he
says to him. says he, In the day O
the judgment God II mind the look o. |
your wife, and then he says the same |
to her.
singular man. said comely Lie.
''He never robbed that bank, either.
any more'n | did,.
Men amt apt to claim a sin that
don't belong to 'em. That's my opin-
ion
HE did it. to shield another"
Sidney Trove:' was the half whis-
pered query of the sister Lie
''Troye. no. said the other quickly
at was that old man with a gray
beard who never spoke to anybody an
used to visit the tinker"
"She was interrupted by a newcomer
"a stout woman OF middle age who
look of pallor and agitation.
'Sh-h-hn' said she. lifting a large
hand. She sank upon a chair, tanning
herself. She said nothing for a little.
What is it. Bet, for mercy's sake?"
said Lie.
Have you heard the news?" said
she that was called Bet.
Land sakeS. not said the others.
Then followed moment of suspense,
during which the newcomer sat biting
her under lip, with a merry smile.
You're too proyollingw said the sis
ter Lie impatientIy why do you
Keep US hanging by the eyebrows"
''Sh-h-h.7 said the dear sister Bet
again. Another woman had stopped
~ the door Then a scornful whisper
rom the sister Lie
IFS that horrible Kate Tredder.
Mercy! is she coming in:''
She came In. Long since she had
.eased to enjoy credit or confidence at
he little shop.
Nice day" said she
The sister Lie moved impatiently
md picked up her work This untime-