Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-11-05
ave the Natural Life?" she asks.

ifve the Natural Lief" she asks.
said didn't.
Nobody but natural born idiots
SAAvs who"
Il guess that who's been living H."
ssys I.
Nest morning I went over to see
Hartley. He was feeling like new
man. Dr.. Jordan had been there
ahead OF mo and set the arm. Redny
Wa pretty nigh well. Jordan had the
right cure for green.apple appendicitis
and II worked tip.top.
drove UP to the depot in the Old
Home wagon and met Van Brunt. He
was In nne spirits. The Tea Lead
deal had been closed up--the Street
pirates having decided not to pass the
dividend-and the Heavenly Twins
haa made money by the kes. I Judged.
How'd Now York look to your" I
asked him.
"Hushl" says he. Don't speak
lightly OF sacred things"
when he heard about what had hap.
psned while he was away he was the
most surprised man in the county.
Skipper" he says, grabbing my
hand, you're star Of the frst masni-
tsde You and Eureka are the redeem.
ing features Of this Natural expert.
nent. You pay the freight and a large
rebate over. And Martin! bully old
boy! I want to see him"
Him and his ohum was shut up TO-
sethsr for a good half hour. When
Van come down to the porch he beck
oned to me.
Sol" he says, there's another
question want to ask you Of course
/ know that Martin liked the boy and
all that, but that reason won't quite
do. What's the real one7"
Twas a ticklish place for me. But
] couldn't see but one way clear; that
II. but one way which was beet In the
long run for all hands. So spanked
~ and answered.
Mr.. Van Brunt." says I. "I hate to
say It. but Of course you know that
your partner and Miss Agnes set con-
siderable store by each other at one
time. And you can't break off feel
ings like that same as you'd bust q
piece Of string L.
He nodded. All right" he says.
I'm not altogether o!ockhead.
Thatll DO I've been sure OF It. my
self, for some time
y understand" | went on that the
reason she give him ths mitten was on
account Of his being too grasping after
money. II she'd seen him. like have,
Just throwing II away as II twas
shavings. guess likely she"
He interrupted and looked at me
queer
Nov aid you know that was the
Yeason!" ne asks
I'd put my foot In Il away over the
shoe faces.
Well" l stammered. you see y
that 10, twas told to me-and--course
I can't swear"
Who told ~ Oh never mind. !
sees Dear James. Well done. good
and faithful servant. You've been
faithful over a few things, and general |
superintendent and adviser OF all the /,
rest. Sol. learned something when I !
W0c LA i>eW III n, AOuSlG0TluR Ill
you've done and know. I think you're |
entitled To know more.
When I WAS IN Coos settlement
yesterday" ne went on. referring to |
his homo town. I Judged. though I'd
never heard afore that II belonged in
that neishborhood. II mot an old
friend Of Hartley's sovernor-of his
father. / mean. This friend had been
abroad for some time and had just
returned. He spoke Of Martin, and
what . iue fellow hs wns: TO all Of
which I set ny hand and seal Of
course. Then he said that the way IN
which young Hartley had paid his f.
Tiers debts and saved the family
honor and credit was one OF the big !
gest things he knew Of. expressed
surprise. Then he was surprised to
learn that I didn't know. being Mar.
tins closest friend, and told me the
rest.
Go be continued)