Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-01-12

quiet. ! am free to resume my inter
rupted flight Of fancy, but I refrain.
The atmosphere is soporiferous. hardly
conducive to editorial inspiration. and
| find the commingled flavors Of red
cedar. glue and rubber quite nourish.
ing.
Presently DR.. Mortimer. the minis
ter. comes down the street in com
pany with his deucon, Blinky Lock
wood. They are discussing some one
In subdued tones. but | catch refer
ences to worthy young man and the
vacancy In the choir
Josie Lockwood rustles into hearing
with Bessie Gabriel in tow. Josie Is
rafting voiuby, but with a hint Of
the confidential in her tone She in
sists that of course I never let on.
but every time we meet can just feel
him looking and
Bessie interposes why. Tracey Tan
ner's just crazy for fear he'll take on
with Angle,
can see Josie's head toss Mt this
81 bet he don't know what Angie Tut
hill looks like. That's too absurd"-
absurd" is Josie's newest word. It's
a very good word, too, out sometimes
l fear she will wear It thrcadbare. 1t
closes her remarks as the two girls
dart into the postolfice, and there is
peace for time; then they merge,
giggling, and | hear Josie declare: "Id
get Roland Barnette to do 1t. but he's
so Jealous. He makes me tired"
Bessies response is inaudible
well" Josie continues. Pm simply
not going to send them out until
meet him. Father said l could give
It week from Saturday, but | won't
unless
Bessie Interrupts again inaudibly.
"Of course ! could do that, but If |
just said Miss Carpenter and guests
that nosey old Homer Littleiohn d
think meant him, too, and if only
said guest It'd look too pointed Don't
you think soT'
To my relief they pass from hearing,
and | feel for my pipe for comfort.
Anyway. | never did like Josie Lock
wood. Smoking. mediate on the
astonishing power Of personality. Here
is Mr.. Nathaniel Duncan no more than
a fortnight in our midst THE phrase IS
used callously as something sacred to
country journaliSm), and behold. not
yet has the town ceased to discuss him
The control he has over the local mind
and Imagination is certainly wonder
full, the more so since he has appar-
emily made no effort to attract atten.
tion-rather, should say. to the con.
trary. Quiet and unassuming he
goes his way. minding his own bust.
ness as carefully as we would mind
1t for him, with all the good will In the
world, If only we could find out what
It Is. But We can't leave him alone
Tracey Tanner interrupts my mus
ings.
Hello" he twangs. like a tuneless
banjo
"'I,O, Tracey" This lofty and blase
greeting can come from none other
than Roland Barnctte
Where you goin'?"
lover to the railway station"
what for?'
ITO give you something to talk
about I'm going to send telegram
to a friend of mine in MOO York"
Jaw. you amt the only one can send
kilograms. Sam Graham sent one just
now"
He did!
"Uh-huh. was sort of hangin'
round when be came in. and | seen
him send it myself"
Sam Graham telegraphinG. Do you
know who to. Tracey" Roland's SUI
peliority is wearing thin under contact
with his curiosity. This surprising biz
of news makes him distinctly more
affable and inclined to lower himself to
the SOCIAL level of the son of the livery
stable keeper.
AS for myself, am inclined TO lean
out Of the window and call Tracey up
lest he get out of hearing before
hear the rest Of it Fortunately | am
not thus obliged to compromise my
dignity. The two are at pause
Gimme cigarette and III tell you"
bargains Tracey shrewdly. Lew Par
ker told me after Sam d gone"
The deal is put through promptly.
He was telegraphin to- Got a
match?"
For once l am in sympathy with Ro-
land, whose tone betrays his desire to
wiring Tracey's exasperating neck.
Jaw, he was only telegraphin' to
Gresham & Jones for some sody wa
! ter sirups."
"Where'd he get the money" There's
fine scorn IN Roland's comment.
Il dunno. but he handed Lew five
dollar bill to pay for the message"
! We'll. If Sam Graham's got any
/ money he'd better hold on to it instead
Of buying sody water sirups. | guess
| Blinky Lockwood II get after him
when he finds 1t out. He owes Blinky
a note at the bank. and it's coming due
In a day or two. and Blinky amt going
! to renew, neither"
Sam seemed cheerful 'nough. Any
/ how, 1t amt my funeral"
have now something to think
about. indeed, and am more than half
Inclined to stroll up to Graham's and
ma out wnau mas happened on my own
account when the voices of Hi Mutt
and Watty. the tailor, drift up to me.
The cronies are coming down for their
regular afternoon session on the post
office benches. function which takes
place daily Just as soon as the sun
gets round behind the building so that