The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-10-07
DAFFY
DANIEL
BY CLARIsSA kAcklE

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Mrs. Tweedy peered from the win
dow.
Abner, her husband, had also heard
| the creak Of wagon wheels.
"Who be 1t, Marthyg" he asked.
Nobody but Dafry Daniel" she re-
piled, resuming her mending.
"Humphr' muttercd Abner. WISH
he'd sell me that south lot"
"He ought to be made TO-" agreed
his wife. Amy one as simple as Danny
ought to have guardeen. l should
think you'd speak to the selectmen
about II, Abner."
"rye a mind TO-" grumbled Abner'
..The lot don't do him any good
argued Mrs. Tweedy. 1--WE said for a
long time that Dafry amt got common
sense"
Miss Blake, the new schoolteacher,
who boarded at the Tweedys. looked
up from her book.
"Why do they call him thatf' she
asked.
| "Call who - whatY demanded Mrs.
Tweedy, startled by the sudden ques-
ton.
"Daffy Daniel"
"Ohl Because he Is daily"
"In what way specially insisted
Frances Blake. She was small, clear
eyed woman, intrepid OF speech and
action. rs he insaneT
LAND. nor protested Mrs. Tweedy
"Daniel amt really crazy, but he's
simple minded. Folks have called him
Daffy Daniel ever since the fire at
the Ford place. Daniel was only sew
enteen, and his pa and ma and his SIS
fer was burned TO death. Daniel had
been spending the night with his cous-
in at Overlook. In the night he saw
the flames and came running five miles.
And when he reached home II was too
late There want any home or any
folks left
"He was sick for weeks afterwaru
and since then he's always been queer
Some say he blames himself because
he wasn't home that night He said,
If I'd been there | might have saved
them"
"poor fellow" murmured Miss Blake,
"And where does he live nowT
"Built himself cottage on the OLD
cellar He loves the farm like leech,
won't part with an inch OF land, tho
| Abner d like that south lot 1t joins
our prop'ty, you know
"And so he is queer" went on Fran
ces Blake. as he married?"
claw, no! Wouldn't look at girl.
Awful queer
els he disagreeableT
"No-o-o, not exactly" admitted Mrs.
Tweedy. Hes very short In his man
per. don't stop to talk with neighbors
and reads most all the time. He's
queer. He's downright daffy, Miss
Blake. 1t all happened twenty years
ago"
Miss Blake made no comment. She
, returned to her book, but for nearly an
hour she did not turn leaf.
Presently Mrs. Tweedy arose to pre-
pare the evening meal. Abner got VI
and lighted the big reading lamp.
But Frances Blake had lost interest
In her book. She got up and went
bareheaded into the April sunset
The garden was fragrant with the
smell of growing things The odOr OF
earth was pleasant
From the woods at the north came a
vagrant breeze. 1t bore whit OF
sassafras and violets and new leaves
and springing grass.
"Ohw cried Frances Blake, throwing
her arms to the rosy clouds. Il must
breathe this before 1t goes away"
So she wandered down the back path,
through the orchard where robins were
calling In low thrilling tones, wher.
insects chirruped in the grasses.
Out Of the orchard she wandered int
the rolling pastures. Once or twice she
crossed fence.
She heard the distant clamOr OF the
Tweedys' supper bell and scorned 1t.
1t was magic world. bathed In O
rosy light Bird songs, flower life and
I smell Of sprlngtime Frances closed
her eyes and leaned against the fence
Are you sickY asked mans quiet
voice.
Frances looked up, startled She saw
, a tall, broad shouldere1 pan IN Q rough
gray suit. His cleanly cut features
were bronzed with sup agd weathsr
There was boyish look about him In
spite 81 BIZ travity. He had good
bfo1f Eyes and white, even teeth.
THANK you, am quite we'll" said
Frances. Il was only enjoying the
evening. 1t Is so beautiful"
"You Ike 1t tooT' be asted eagerly.
II love 1t, but / don't dare mention
those things. My nelghbors believe
one should take the beauties Of natrfe
as matter OF course"
Like daily bread, and water, and
turnips, suppose" laughed Frances.
He nodded
But one is supposed 10 enjoy bread
and turnips and be thankful for them.
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