Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-02-11

farming home could not continue to
thrive, ana its inmates to live on in con-
tentment and happiness. But 30 twas
10 Eden : when the serpent entered.
There IL occasionally q man who pros
pers Dest when struggling up through q
mass OF debt. Such q man centers his
EFFORTS wholly In one direction and bends
ali his energies to the task Of throwing
on the burden. When il Is accom-
plished, he breathes for a time the air OF
freedom with all the enjoyment that long
anticipation pictured. But not for long.
soon be feels an uneasiness that Is new to
him. He works on, but with not quite
the same zeEt. His profits and savings
no longer represent 80 much toward
emancipation, but so much accumulated.
The problem Of how to apply them is a
new one altogether. and presents 80 many
puzzling phases that it takes much OF the
thought and energy that beforetimes
went wholly toward the forced task.
Then there is noticeable letting up Of
the tension OF years; a taking-it-easy gait
succeeds the high-pressure speed. Quite
often such a person drifts Oh into new
lines of thought; aspirations wholly un-
known before come to him and with the
passing Of years be Is different person.
II would be wrong to say that Jed Al
den, succeeding his release from debt,
had fallen a victim to this fancy, but be
had nevertheless felt its influence. As be
bent over his hoe, be no longer thought
solely Of the joy that would be his when
be should make his last trip TO town to
meet the finat payment on his farm.
That JOY had been his already, and be
felt the longing for a new thrill, as Alex
ander did when he sighed for other
worlds to conquer.
In this frame of mind, the office-seek-
ing microbe came upon Jed and found
him ready victim. He had already en-
ioyed q slight taste of the sensation, hav-
ing held the Office of lister OF property
for taxation in his town--Kingston--f
two years, and having been further hon
ored at the last March meeting by cleo
tion to the board of selectmen, in appre-
citation of his faithful service in the form
er place and because he was deemed At
for preferment. Jed took pride in his
public duty and performed it we'll. II
supplied the incentive that had been
someN hat lacking since he had achieved
financial Independence. He enjoyed the
work, and, truth to tell, be enjoyed the
honor. ''5electman Alden had pleas
ant sound to his ear, and sometimes,
when he was far afeld or chopping on
the back lot--aIl alone he had spoken
the title aloud for the mere sake OF hear
ing it. And Jed was but little different
from other men.
Kingston was mainly a farming town
and its population almost entirely Of the
old New England stock. Of which the Al
dens and the Westons were fairly repre-
sentative. Besides farming, there was
considerable numbering, with several
steam mills, and one bohbin making fac
tory. In the town were one small viii
lage, known as the "Center,r with
churches, stores and postofice, and one
mere hamlet, three miles distant, stigma.
tized IS saSlab City," where were located
two OF the steam lumber mills. The Cen
ter was the trade depot, and through u
ran the railroad line. A sizable body oi
water, whose outlet gurgled down
through this village, served as an attrac'
ton to summer people, Of whom goodly
and increasing number came to Kingston
some putting up at the cosy inn at the
Center; others quartering among thu
farmers whose homes fronted the lake
Jed Alden's place was on the mair
highway or turnpike midway between
the Center and Slab City, and not q
far from Crystal Pool, as the little LAX
was called, but that the thrifty coupl'
had managed to entertain its limit o
summer people at paying prices for sever
al yesrA A short walk down . mapll
grove, q turn across q meadow and
through a few rods Of willows brough
one 10 the waters edge right where tn
Alden skin was always moored to Al
overhanging bough, with q padlooke'
chain to prevent its surreptitious remov
al. The Aldens looked out for thei
own.