Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-05-11
.tc respon sitle for IT,"

"Thats what" hOwled the excited
Bangs. And we're going to show you
what we think Of you for dom 1t.
We've been plannin' this for over a
fortnit."
And knew It all the time"
seuealed pos'n, land I didn't tell
word did II"
"Three cheers for Captain Whit
taberw beloved person In the crowd.
This person-wonder OF wonders!-w
Tad Simpson
The cheering was considering the
size OF the crowd, tremendous. Be
wildercd and amazed, Captain Cy was
assisted from the carriage and escort
ed to his front door. Amid the hnnd-
kerchlef waving, applauding people ne
saw Keturah Bangs and Alpheus
Smalley anG Angeline Phinney and
Captain Salters-evcn Alonzo Snow,
his recent opponent in town meeting.
Josiah Dimick was there, too, appar-
emily having a ft.
On the doorstep stocd Georgianna,
ard--and yes, 1t ives trye--bes1de her.
grandly extending welcoming hand.
tho majestic form Of the Hon. Heman
Atkins. Some one else WAS there also,
some one who hurriedly slipped back
into the crowd as the owner of the Cy
Whitaker place came up the path be
tween the hedges.
Mr. Atkins shook the captains hand
and then; turning toward the people.
held up his own for silence. To all
outward appearance he was still the
great Heman, our district idol. philnu.
throp1st and lender, Els silk hat
glistened as Of old; his chest swelled
IN the old manner: his whiskers were
just as dignifled and awe inspiring.
For an instant, as he met the captains
eye. his own faltered and fell. ard
there was n pleading expression in bis
face. the lines of which had deepened
just little bat only for an instant;
then he began to speak.
Cyrus" he said, ut is my pleasant
duty on behalf Of your neighbors and
friends here assembled to welcome
you 10 your--er-ancestroi home after
your trying illness. l do it heartily,
sincerely, gladly. And it ia the more
pleasing to me TO perform this duty
because. as I have explained publicly
to my fellow townspeople, all disagree
ment between US is ended. was
vrone-again ! publicly admit it. A
scheming blackles. posing in the guise
Of loving father imposed upon me.
I am sorry for the trouble l have
caused you. OF you and OF the little
girl with you I ask pardon-I entreat
forgiveness"
He paused. Captain CO. the shadow
OF q smile at the corner of his mouth
nodded and said briefly:
"All right. Heman. I forgive you."
Few heard him. The majority We're ap-
plaudinG the congressman. Sylvanus
Cahoon, whispering in the ear Of I'm
Gle Dedny, expressed as his opinion
that that was about as n1agnam!nious
a thing as ever heard said-yes. sir
mag ma min -ious-that's what call it."
But" continued the great Atkins.
II have said all this to you before.
What I have to say now-what left
my duties in Washin gton expressly to
come here and soy-is that Bayport
thanks you. I thank you. for your ire
mandous assistance In obtaining the
appropriation which is to make our
harbor q busy port. where our gallant
fshing fleet may ride at anchor and
unload It's catch. instead OF transfer
ing 1t in dories, as heretofore. Friends
have aircndy tod you how this man."
laying hand on the captains shoul-
dor, came to the capital and used his
influence among his acquaintance IN
high places. with the result that the
$4,000 which l had despaired Of get
ting was added to the bill. l had the
pleasure Of voting FOR that bill. 1t
passed am proud of that vote"
Tremendous applause. Then some
one called for tlisre cheers for Mr. At
kins. They were given. But tie re-
ctpient merely bowed.
No, no." he said deprecatingly-
mo, no, not for me. my friends, much
as I appreciate your gratitude. My
days Of public service are nearly at an
end. As have intlmated to some Of
| you already. I am seriously consider
ing retiring from political life in the
ncar future But that is irrelevant; 1t
is not material at present Today we
meet not to say farewell to the set
ting but to greet tile rising sun.
call for three cheers for cur commit
tee OF one--Captain Cyrus WHITAKER"
| When the uproar had at last sub
sided there were demands for a speech
from Captain Cy. But the captain,
facing them, his arms about the de-
lighted Bos'n, positively declined to
crate
"l-iIm ever no much obliged to you,
folks" he stamrlered Il am so. But
you'll have to excuse me from speech
maxim, Thev--they didn't teach It
afore the mast, where | went to COL
lege. Thank you Just the same And
do come and see me. everybody. Ne
and this little girl" drawing Emily
nearer to him, win be real glad to
have you."
Afssr the bandshaiing and congrntu-
Iaung were over the crowd dispersed.
IT was great occnsion; sll agreed to
that. But the majority considered It
divided triumph The captain had
done lot for the town. of course, but
the Honorable Atkins had made an
other splendid Impression by his ad-
hress of welcome. Most people thought
II as f1ne as his memoTatle effort ut
town meeting. Unlike ehst one, how