Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-08-27


the ropes he went and in where the
tangle was the worst. And then it
closed up into screeching, kicking
whirlpool like. Down he went and l
lost sight Of him.
Everybody on the grounds was
crazy, but callate was the worst
Bedlamite Of the lot. Somehow I felt
responsible. Twas me that told about
the Fourth OF July doing first and got
him over there. Twas me that
coaxed him into staying for the con.
sarncd pig business. And I kind OF
felt that | was his guardian. as you
might say, now that Van Brunt want
along. Yes, and by ginger, | liked
Nm. Course thought of the poor lit
tie boy, too. but I'm free to say twas
Hartley that thought of most.
For the doings Of the next two or
three minutes youll have to ask some
body else. AIS | remember real we'll
is catching hold Of Issachar Tidditt's
Sunday cutaway and ripping It from
main truck to keelson. You see,
issachcr was trying to back ont OF the
tangle and was diving in. Next thing
I'm sure OF is hanging onto the bride
OF one of the Barry horses and playing
snap the whip VIE, my feet, up and
down and over and under
She cleared up some finally and
there was ring OF folks tanning
and pushing and climbing between
wheels and under wagon bodies, and
IN The middle of the ring was Hartley.
kneeling on the ground and looking
pretty middling white and sick, with
dripping cut over his eye. and with
that little shaver's red head in his lap.
And old Doc Bailey was there. but how
or when lie como don't know. Yes,
re and the pig was there, too, but the
critter was ont Of commission, being
dead, and ! was too busy to think
where | was.
How is he doctor?" asked Hartley,
anxious.
The Doc didn't answer for minute
or so; he was bending over the boy,
sponging and swabbing like all pos
sessed Poor little chap; he looked
white and pitiful enough, stretched
out there amongst that crowd OF
strangers and not a soul OF his own
folks around to look ont for him. And
he was such q gritty little mite. !!
looked at him. chalk white he was.
and still. with his eyes shut and his
breath coming kind of short and jerky.
And-woll, my breath got jerky. too.
How is hc?" SAYS Hartley again.
h., IL =
begins to breathe more regular. The
doctor seemed % feel better.
Hell come round all right now "
says the Doc. Twas the kick that
knocked him ont. I he pig cot the
worst Of it and that saved him.
There are no bones broken. b..
he'd have been trampled to death
Afterwards II it hadn't been for
you, sir. Better let me fix up that
cut"
Blu. the Twin shook his head kind
of impatient Tend TO the boy" he
says. So the doctor went on with his
sponging and swabbing and pretty
soon the youngster opens his eyes.
Did get him." says he
What's that?" asked the Doc, stoop.
Ing over,
Did I get the pig? Is the fver
comm to me-"
Wen. you'd ought TO have heard
the crowd laugh. Somebody sings
ont. Three cheers for the kid and
they give en- With q whoop.
Whats the matter with youse?"
says the youngster, setting up and
looking around, dizzy like. "Aw. cut
holler some more. Did get the
pig?"
You bet you did" says the doctor,
laughing. You're a spunky little
rooster. Whose boy arc you, anyway
Belong In Eastwich?'
Nav" says the little Teller. like
he was plumb dsgusted "NYork."
Hartley smiled. "A brother out
cast" says he looking up at me.
Major Phinncy had been showing
through the crowd and now he was in
the front rank. where, so they tell me,
he used to be in war t.me--aftor the
fighting was over.
Hes one CT them Fresh Air boys
says tho major, pulling. but ponpous
There's q summer school Of en-
been started just outside the town
here. Couple OF New York women
brought the tribe down last week
This ones one"
Little red head turned to Hartley
Say" he says, don't you tell her
Tell who" says Martin.
The teacher Miss Agony"
Miss which,"
And Just then here comes Issachar,
his cutaway hanging graceful and or.
namental from the collar and pilot
ing mighty pretty and stylish young
woman 20 the front. She breaks
loose from him and runs for'ard and
fops down on her knees
Why Dennis Why, Dcnuis!" she
SAYS. How could you run away and
behave like this? Arc you hurt? Is
he"
She looks UP at Hartley as she be.
gins to ask the last question. And
he was staring at her MS white as a
sheet OF paper.
why, Agnes" ~ says. And she
went white, too, and then rcd. OH"
says she. And then Oh again.
'Oh, Martin"
CHAPTER V.
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