Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-01-19
CHAPTER VI CONTINUED. )
Copyright. 1910 by WincheiI Smith
and Louis Joseph Vance

"Mebbe he went In to deposit his
eoupons," Watty chuckled.
Hiram snorted, and there was silence
while he filed and lit his pipe
81 hearn tell this mornin'," he re-
sumed. that Josie Lockwood's goin'
to give a party next week"
Yes; ] hearn it too. Angie Tuthill
was talkn' bout II to Name Garrison
up to Leonard Il Calls. She said
they was soin' TO have the biggest time
this town ever see-goln' to decyrate
the grounds with lanterns and have ice
cream sent from Phillydelphy and
cakes too. Can't make out what's
come into Rlinky to let that gal of hts
waste money like that"
81 fgCer," says Hiram after a sa-
pient pause, "she must be ge,tin' it
up for that New York dood"
Duncan"
"Uh-buh."
81 didn't know he was 'quainted with
the Lock woods"
81 didn't know he was 'quainted with
nobody"
Nobody ceptin Homer Littlejohn
and Hetty Carpenter. and they don't
seem to know much about him. l call
him darn Gurus Hetty says he's allus
R-settin' in his room a-studyin' and
astudyin' and a-studyin'."
He goes walkin' mornin's, Hetty
old me-"
WAL. he don't come downtown
much. Nobody hardly ever sees him
cept to church.
Hiram ponders this profoundly, final
~ delivering himself of An opinion
which he has never forsaken. Il claim
he's 4 spicious character"
Don't look TO the as though he knew
'nough to be much Of anything"
WAL. now, If he's real student and
they amt no outs bout him. what In
tarnation's he dom here? That's jest
what I'd like to have somebody tell
me. Watty."
"IIetty seq he sez he wants a quiet
place .to study"
Hiram snorts with scorn "Oh, fid-
die. You don't catch no Moo York
poung Teller a-settlin' down In Radville
Unless he's crazy or somethin' worse"
"'Tan't no use telin' Hetty Carpcn.
Ter that
NO II anybody sez n word as'in
Kim she shets EN- right up"
"'Tain't only Hetty, but all the VIM
min S on his side"
That's proof enough to me he amt
right"
"Wimmin." says Watty as the result
OF n period OF philosophical considers-
ton. us all ny about clothes When
feller's got good clothes you can't
make them sea no harm into him, no
matter what lie is. | pressed some Of
Duncan's last Satddy. l never see
clothes-such goods and liuin's. They
was made for him, too--made by tai
Tor on Fifth avenue, Moo York. fer.
git the name now
WAL. Roland Barnette SEE they
amt stylish. He seq they're too much
like an undcrtaker's gitup."
WAL Roland oughter know. He's
the fanciest dressed up Teller In the
county"
Yes, | guess he be-"
The subject apparently lauguishes.
but know that it still occupies their
sage meditations, and presently this Is
demonstrated by Hiram. who expec-
torates literally by way of preface.
When this cuss Duncan fust come
here" he says, with a self contained
chuckle. Everybody but me fggered
he had stacks of money. Guess they
be singin' different tune now sinst
he's been goin round askin' for work"
This Is news TO ME, and l sit up,
sharing Wattys astonishmsut.
"Be he a-doin that, Hiramr'
That's what he's been a-doin."
Funny missed hearin' about It."
HE ouly started this mornin. He
went 10 Sothern & Lees and Leon
ard & Calls and Godfreys, and then
l guess he must We quit discouraged
They wouldn't none OF them give him
nothin'. Lesstwaye that's what they
said after he'd gone out. He didn't
give anybody reel chance to say any
thing. | was In Leonard & Calls
and he came in and asked for Job
but the minute Len looked at him be
turned right round and skunk out
without a-waitin' for Len TO say a
word" Hiram smoked in huge enjoy
ment Of the retrospect. Hes the
curiousest critter we ever had In this
town"
yes" agrees Watty; II guess he be- ;
At this juncture comes an Interrupt
aOn. Tracey Tanner returns hotfoot
Either he has been running or hi,
breathiessness Is due to excitement
Before the two upon the bench h,
pauses in agitated glce, a bearer o.
tremendous tdings.
Hello" he pants.
Now, you Tracey Tanner" Hiram
cuts In sharply, you run long ant
don't be a-botherin' round. Seems
bke body never can git chance (,
rest with you children allus a-buttin
In
Jaw, shet up" says Tracey dspas
sionately. II only wanted to tell 70,
the news"
Watty quavers What news, Ira
ceyT'
We'll" says the boy, "Ill tell you
Watty. but | wouldn't We told hin
after what he said"
"But what's the news, Tracey
There is suspense in the iteration.
well, seems it's you. Watty"--
You Tracey Tanner, you run Ion