Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-04-27

tlon b?-er-another. Therefore 1t IL
my right to make my position clear.
Mr.. Thomas came to me last evening in
distress. both of mind and body. He
Tod me his story-Su bStantially the
story which has just been told TO you
by Mr. Simpson-and. gentlemen, | be
lieNe it. But If | did not believe 1t. il
believed him to have been in the past
all that his opponent has said, even if
l believed that, only last evening,
spurned, driven from his child. PENN.
less and hopeless. be had yielded to the
weakness which has been his curse all
his life-even if believed that. still I
should demand that Henry Thomas
rcpentant and earnest as you see him
now, should be given his rightful op-
pOrtunity to become q man again. He
is poor, but he is rct-shall not be
friendless No; n thousand times. no!
You may say. some of you, that the
affair Is not my business. | affirm
That it is my business. 1t is my bust
ness as a Christian. and that business
should come before ali others. | have
a child OF my own. know what n
fathers love is And after a sleepiess
night | stand here before you today
determined that this man shall have
his own II my, money-whiCh you
will. I'm sure. forgive my mentioning
md my unfinchinG support can give
t to him. That is my position" He
saused and with right hand raised
aunched his final tbuuderbolt. Whom
God hath joined" he proclaimed 'let
no one put asunder!"
That settled 1t. The cheers shook the
walls. Amid the tumult Dimick and
Bailey Bangs seized Captain Cy by the
shoulders and endeavored to lift him
from his seat.
"Bor the love Of goodness. Whit"
yroaned Josiah desperately stand
mp and answer him. If you don't well
founder sure"
The captain smiled grimly and SHOOT,
ais head. He had not taken his eyes
from the face of the great Atkins since
NE latter began speaking.
What" he replied. after that
put asunder sockdolager? Man alive,
do you want me to add Sabbath break
N to my other crimesT'
The vote by ballot followed almost
Immediately. 1t was pitiful to see the
erstwhie Whitaker majority melt
away. Alonzo Snow was triumphantly
elected. But a handful voted against
him.
Captain Cy, returning from the town
meeting to the Whitaker place, felt
lonesome
War was already declared. and the
reasons for 1t mattered little. The
first skirmish might occur at any mo-
ment, The situation WAS desperate
The captain squared his shoulders,
thrust forward his chin and walked
briskly up the path to the door of the
dining room. 1t was nearly l O'CLOCK
but Bos'n had not yet gone.
Hello, shiPmate.' he hailed. Not
headed for school yet? Good. | cal'late
YOU needn't go this afternoon. I'm
!linkin' of hirin' a team and driyin' to
Ostable, and l didn't know but you'd
like to go with me Think you could
without that teacher woman havtn'
you brought up aft for mutiny?'
Bosn thought it over
Yes, sir she said. 81 guess so. if
you wrote me an excuse. I'd love to
30, Uncle Cy."
The captain removed his coat and
nat and pulled a chair forward to the
table.
Hello" he exclaimed. whats this
the mail"
Bos'n smiled deli9htedy.
Yes, sir she replied. II knew You
was at the meeting. and so brought
1t from the Office. Amt you glad?"
Sure! Yes, indeed Much Obliged"
fIe smothered a groan and picked I'D
The mail
Hum he mused-"the Breeze, a
circular and one letter. Hello! 1t isn't
possible that Well, welp
The letter was in a long envelope.
He hastily tore it open. At the inclo-
ture he glanced in evident excitement.
Then his smile returned.
"Bosn," he said after q moments
reelection, II guess you and me won't
kave to go to Ostable after ALL" No.
ticing the childs look of disappoint-
ment, lie added "But you needn't 90 to
school. Maybe you'd better not You
and nell take a tramp alongshore.
What do you say?"
"Oh, yes, Uncle Cy! Lct's-shall
we?"
"Why, ] don't see why not. Wen
cruise in company rs long as we can,
hey, little girl? The squalls likely to
strike afore night" he muttcrcd. half
aloud. Wen enjoy the fine weather
till it's time TO shorten sail"
They walked all that afternoon. Cap
tain Cy was even more kind and gentle
with his small companion than usual.
He told her stories which made her
laugh, pointed ont spots in the pines
where he bad played Indian VIII. a
boy, carried her pig back" when she
grew tired and kissed her tenderly
when. at the back door of the Whit
taker place, he set her on her feet
again. q.
Shortly after their return Miss
Dawes came to inquire about Emily's
absence from school.
Suddenly steps sounded on the walk,
there was whispering outside, and
some one knocked on the dining room
door.
The situation was similar to that of
the evening when the board of strategy
called and John Smith" made his first