Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-03-31
CHAPTER VIII.
THE LIBERTREE.

CIliIulcH ~ W SCiloOl SISdully!
asked Marktree.
Wy, vas indeed, sir! Mither'n |
hev said lots O. times we would; the
oldest ones larn easy, N they play
skule lots, bless EN-"
Well" said Marktree, perhaps
the way will be opened to them for
thorough schooling; would you be
willing to let the three older ones
go away to school where they would
remain nine months without Your
seeing them, where they would be
we'll fed and clothed and schooled
without any expense to you?"
Lab sakes alive, man! What air
you talkin' bout? That's tn biggest
air castle l ever hearn tell Of"
Mister" interrupted his wife,
'dinna We go t. putin vain notions
into Eben's head; that'll do fo' rich
folk t. soar to; ma, ma, too high fer
us t. KEN"
But tell me truly" said Mark
tree, would you be willing to let
them go, and would the children be
willing to go?"
You jes' let tn chance come N
see how quick we'll let 'em, m the
children 'ud jump fort quicker'n
scat"
Very well, may see you again
before many days." said Marktree,
and bidding the, poor but happy
family goodbye, the partners re-
trace their steps and return to the
hospitable home of Hunter John in
the dusky eve, while the mellow,
restful notes of the whipoorwill re-
sound through the forest shade,
Ginning with the wood Thrush s
clear, liquid trillill-lil-lillilling, with
hundreds of other birds filling the
woods with their joyful melodies.
That's just as | expected" said
hardwood to Marktree. while they
were leisurely strolling back down
to the comfortable lodge of the
Hunters, you have got a keen eye
for detecting good timber, no mis-
take, and you will hunt for it where
hardly any one else would think of
looking"
We'll, you see," said Marktree,
l could not help recognizing native
virtue, and attributes of growth in
that little boy last evening; and the
sire of Hunter John gave me the
scent and set me on the trail"
Patting his partner on the shout
der, hardwood said, Partner, fol-
low it, follow it; there is a prize of
inestimable worth at the end of that
trail" And added,
True. honest worth is oft misknown
And cast aside as so much dross,
But Wisdom S magnet draws it's own,
And Virtue ne'er can suffer loss.
For hidden gold time will reveal
In actions fine, it's genuine ring
in Truth coined deeds, the stamp and
seal
And image of our Lord and King"
The twin boys, Twig and Sprig,
arrived at the vile a little past noon,
and mailed the letters, all but one
wrapped separate with a red string,
which they were told to leave at
Judge Markman's and wait for
another to take back. They opened
the gate and shyly walked up to the
door Of the big white house. At the
thump of a little fist upon the door
it was opened, and there stood be-
fore Mrs. Markham the bashful
timid urchins; one held up to hel
the letter wrapped about with The
red string.
Whose little boys are these?
she asked.
} We bees Twig and Sprig Liber
tree" they answered.
And where do you live?" asked
she.
of back on the mountain, " the,
t answered; here's a letter gemlir
on mountain tole us take here, n t.
: wait N take back mother"
o "Oh, yes, thank you, come in
+ laddies." Mrs. hardwood, receiv
ing her letter with face aglow wit