Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-07-06
CHAPTER XII.
(COntinued.l

So by the merest chance / learned
that the invisible Michael Henry
was the almoner of the modern
statesman and really the spirit of
Silas Wright feeding the hungry
and clothing the naked and warm
ing the cold house. N the absence
of it's owner 1t was the heart of
Wright Joined to that of the school
master, which sat in the green
chair.
| fear that my work suffered a
moments interruption, for just
then l began to know the great
heart of the Senator. It's warmth
was in the clothing that covered
my back, its delicacy in the ignor-
ance of those who had shared it's
benefactions.
1 count this one of the great
events of my youth. But there was
greater one, although it seemed
not so at the time of it.s A traveller
on the road to Ballybeen had drop
ped his pocketbook containing a
large amount of money-two thou
sand seven hundred dollars was the
sum, if I remember rightly. He was
man who, being justly suspicious
of the banks. had withdrawn his
money. Posters announced the loss
and the offer of large reward. The
village was profoundly stirred by
them. Searching parties went up
! the road stirring it's dust and crop
ing in its grass and briers for the
great prize which was supposed
to be lying there. It was said. how
ever, that the quest had been unsuc-
Cessful. So the lost pocketbook be-
came treasured mystery of the
village and of all the hills and val
leys toward Ballybeen-a topic OF
old wives and Cabling husbands at
the fireside for unnumbered years.
By and by the fall term of school
ended. Uncle Peabody came down
to get me the day before Christ
mas. I had enjoyed my work and
my life at the Jackets, on the
whole, but l was glad to be going
home aagin. My uncle was in high
spirits and there were many pack
ages in the sleigh.
"A merry Christmas to We both
an may the Lord love yet" said
Mr. Hacket as he babe US good-by.
Every day our thoughts will be
going up the hills to your house"
AS he was tucking the blankets
around my feet old Nick Tubbs
came Zigzagging up the road from
the tavern.
What stimulation travels with
that mani" said the schOolmaster.
He might be worse, God knows.
Keeling minds are worse than reel
ing bodies. Some men are born
drunk like friend Colonel Hand and
that kind is beyond reformation
The bells rang merrily as we
hurried through the swamp in the
hard snow paths.
Were goin' to move" said my
uncle presently. We've agreed to
get out by the middle O. May"
How does that happen?"
asked.
II settled with Grimshaw and
agreed to go. If it hadn't "a been
for Wright = and Baldwin we
wouldn't "a "a a cent. They threat
ened to bid aAnst him at the sale
So he settled We're goin' TO have
d new home. We've bought a hun
dred an fifty acres from Abe Leon.
ard. Coin TO build a new house
i'll the spring. 1t will be nearer the
village"
He playfully nudged my ribs with
his elbow.
We've had a little good luck
Bart" he went on. I'll tell ye
what it is if you won't say any
thing about it,"
I promised.
81 dunno as it would matter
much" he continued but l dom
want 10 do any braggin'. 1t AIM
a1ybody's business but ours. any.
way. An old uncle over in Yer
mont died three weeks ago and left
us thirty-eight hundred dollars. Il
was old Uncle Ezra Baynes o
Hinesburg. Died without chick
or child Your aunt and me slip
pee down to Potsdam an took the
stage an went over an got the
money. 1t was more money than
ever see before in my life. We pul
it in the bank in Potsdam to keep
it out o. Grimeshaw's hands.