The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-06-13
CHAPTER II.


Hudson, if it be introduced with an east
erly wind. seldom lasts less than two
days. Accordingly, as the inmates of the
Locusts assembled, on the following morn
ing. around their early breakfast, the driy-
ing rain was seen to strike in nearly hori-
zontal lines against the wiE,,ows OF the
building, and forbade the idea of expos
ing either nan or beast to the tempest.
Harper. after taking view of the state
of the weather, apologized to Mr.. Whar-
ton for the necessity that existed for his
trespassing on his goodness for long
time. To appearances, the reply was as
courteous as the excuse: yet Harper
wore a resignation in his department. that
was widely different from the uneasy
manner of the father. Henry Wharton
had resumed his disguise. No commune
cations passed between him and the
stranger, after the first salutations of the
morning. Frances had, indeed, thought
there was something like smile passing
over the features of the traveller. The
eyes of the afectionate sister were turn
ed in anxiety on her brother, and glanc-
ing again on her unknown guest, met his
look: and the heart of the girl, which
had begun to throb with violence, regain
ed a pulsation as tempered as youth,
health and buoyant spirits could allow.
While yet seated at the table, Cesar en-
tered, and placed small parcel in ST.
lence by the side of his master.
What is this. Cesar?" inquired Mr..
Wharton
"The 'baccy, sir; Harvey Birch, he got
home, and he bring you q little good
'baccy from York."
Harvey Birch y rejoined the master,
stealing a look at his guest II do not
remember desiring him to purchase any
tobacco for me; but as he has brought it,
he must be paid for his trouble"
To Sarah Wharton. this intelligence
gave unexpected pleasure; rising from
her seat, she babe the black show Birch
into the apartment. In the deep recesses
Of the windows of the cottage were seats
OF paneled work with rich damask cur
tains. Into one Of these recesses Captain
Wharton now threw himself, drawing the
curtain before him in such a manner as to
conceal most of his person from observa-
ton: while his younger sister silently
took possession of the other.
Harvey Birch had been a peddler from
his youth He was a native of one of
the eastern colonies. Ten years before
he had arrived in the vale. purchasing the
humble dwelling at which Harper had
made his unsuccessful application. Until
age and infrmities lad prevented the
father devoted himself to she cultivation
of small spot Of ground, while the son
pursued with avidity his hun Bile barter
Their orderly quietude had soon given
them so much consideration ia the neigh
borhooG as to induce q maiien of five
and-thirty to accept the Office of presid-
ing over their domestic comforts. The
roses had long before vanished from the
cheeks of Katy Haynes when she entered
the family of the Birches. On the one
hand she was neat, Industrious, honest
and good manager. On the other she
was laxative, selfish, superstitious and
inquisitive.
The war did not interfere with the
traffic of the peddler. For year or two
his employment was uninterrupted, but
at length dark and threatening hints be-
gan to throw suspicion around his move
ments. His imprisonments, though fire.
quent, were not long, and his escapes
from the guardians of the law easy, COM
pared to what he endured from the perse-
cution of the military Still Birch sur
viyed, and still he continued his trade,
though compelled to be very guarded in
his movements whenever he approached
the neiyhborhood of the American lines
On entering the room the peddler relieved
himself from his burden and saluted the
family with modess ciyility. To Harper
he made a silent bow. Sarah commenced
her survey of the corterts of the pack !;
and for several minutes the two were en-
gagged in bringing to light the various ar
ticles it contained. At length, having Sc
Iected several articles, and satisfactorily
arranged the prices, she observed in a
cheerful voice:
But, Harvey, you have told us no
news Has Lord CORVALLIS beaten the
rebels again."
There is some talk below about Tarle-
ton having defeated Gen. Sumter on the
Tiger river"
Indeed" cried the exultins Saxah !.