Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-04-25

n - know what had amazed him.
A chime of bells sounded from church
eteeple across the square, ringing out
in assured Righteousness, summoning
the good people who maintained them
10 come and sit beneath them or be
tsken - task, and they fell SO dismal
Nv upon Joes ear that he bestirred him
self and rose, to the delight of his mon
grcl, who leaped upon him joyfully.
An hour later or thereabout the pair
emerged from the narrow stairway and
stood for moment, blinking in the
fnir sunshine, apparently undecided
which way to go. The church bells
were silent. There was no breeze. The
air trembled little with the deep pip
ings of the organ across the square
Gld, save for that, the town was very
Quiet The paths which crossed the
courthouse yard We're flecked with
lady shadow. the strong young foil
Il, of the naples not moving, having
the air of observing the Sabbath with
opriety. The organ ceased to stir
1 o mir. and all was in quiet, yet a
iiet which for Louden was not peace.
looked at his watch and. without
tending II, spoke the hour aloud. "A
c1arter past IL" The sound of his
IN voice gave him little shock.
! rose without knowing why, and as
I did so it seemed to him that he
Z ard close to his ear another voice, a
1manS, troubled and insistent, but
rar and sweet, saying:
''Remember Across Main street
idge at noonH'
It was so distinct that he started and
,ked round, Then he laughed. '1'll
! seeing circus parades next" His
lighter fed for louder than the ring
j in his ears, Enthusiastically came the
: rains of faraway brass band which
I'd no existence on land or sea or in
tie waters under the earth.
"Here!" he said to the mongrel. I'VE
need a walk. | think. Let's you and
me move on before the camels turn
the corner
The music followed him TO the street,
where he turned westward toward the
river, and presently as he walked on,
tanning himself with his straw hat, it
faded and was gone. But the voice he
had heard returned.
Remember. Across Main street
bridge at noonr 1T said again close to
his ear.
This time he did not start. AN
right" he answered. wiping his fore
head. 'If you'll let me alone. I'll be
there"
At a dingy saloon corner near the
river a shabby little man greeted him
heartily and pettcd the mongrel. I'm
mighty glad you didn't go, after all,
Joe" he added with a Frightening
face.
GO where. Happy"
Mr.. Fear looked grave. Don't you
rec'lect moetin' me last night
Louden shook his head. No. Did
II"
The others Jaw fell. and his brow
corrugated with self rcproach. well
If that don't show what a thick head |
am. thought We was all right cr I'd
gone Oh with We. Nobody cd a walk
ed straighter ner talked straighter
Said We was goin' to leave Canaan fer
good and didn't want nobody to know
it. Said We was goin TO take the lever
o'clock through train fer the west aDC
told me | couldn't come to the deepC
with ye Said ye'd had enough O. Ca
man and Of everything | follered yt
part way to the deepo, but We turned
and made motion fer me to 20 back
and done it because We seemed to bt
kind of in trouble, and thought ve'C
ruther he by yerself. Well, sir, it,
one on me-"
Not at all" said Joe. 81 was al
right
WAS ye?" returned the other "D'
remember, do ye?'
Almost Joe smiled family.
Almost" echoed Happy. shaking hi
head seriously. II tell We, Joe, of wa
YOU he began slowly, then pause,
and shook his head again. lie seemed
on the point of delivering some advice
but evidently percciving the snobbst
ness OF such proceeding, or else con
WINGED by his own experience of tn
futility of it, he swerved to cheerful
ness:
Il hear the boys is all goin' to wor
hard fer the primaries. Mike says Y
got some chances We don't know abou
He swears yell be the next mayor @
Canaan"
Nonsense! Folly and nonsense, HaI
Ply! That's the kind Of thing | used I
think when / was boy. But now
pshaw." Joe broke of with a tire
laugh "Tell them not to waste the
time! Are you going out to the Beac
this afternoon"
The little man lowered his eye
modify. "I'll be near there he sal,
scraping his patched shoe mp and dow
the curbStone. That feller's in tow
agin."
What fellow"
"'Nashyille' they call him. Eds IL
name he give the hospital. Cory-hil
that soaked the night you come bac
to Canaan. He's after Claudine to &
his evens with me. He's made rails
sOmewheres and plays the spende
And her-well, / reckon she's tire
waitin' table at the National Hous
tired o me, too. l got hint th'
they're goin out to the Beach togeth'
this afternoon
Joe pass his hand YEARLY over h