Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-01-04

1t up, loaded it, donned his old military
cap, and set out early in the morning
for Newton.
His idea was to join the procession
that would accompany soldiers, to fire
an occasional salute and show his col
ors in an unmistakable way. Jed met
few people on the road so early in the
morning, but those he did come across
he presented with tricOlOr badge, and
stopped at every farmhouse he came
to and planted a couple of flags beside
its gateway.
1t must have been about nine o'clock
when jed pursuing a short road
through a belt of timber, allowed old
Nance to rest and browse while ne en-
ployed himself in the wagon box I'M
fastening some bundles Of small flags,
ready to pass out to sightseers when
the procession started. He had about
got everything in ship-shape order and
was placing the old musket more
handy to the wagon seat, when move
ment Of the vehicle made him stumble.
Bangl With fearful clatter the
old gun went off as he accidentally
touched the trigger. The startled horse
made wild jump. Away went Nance
with wagon, gun and flags, but not
with Jed.
The old man had been sent spinning
with a violent lurch over the tailboard
of the wagon. He landed with a shock
and groan, almost somersaulted, was
conscious that one limb had struck
tree log by the side of the road with
terrific force and felt his senses de-
sorting him.
Slowly consciousness came back to
him. Horse and wagon had vanished
Jed sat up, wlncing with pain. He
tried to get to his feet found he could
not do so, and the truth dawned upon
him that one limb was broken Just be-
low the knee.
The pain was intense and he felt
weak and alarmed. The road was not
one given to general travel. He thought
of shouting for help and then strained
his hearing, as the sound of approach
ing voices held his attention. Two
children, a boy of ten and a girl OF
about eight, pulling a long homemade
play wagon, came into view.
"Grandpa says if we can haul five
loads of the wood each day he will
give us penny load" Jed heard the
boy say.
eyes" responded the girl, "ard if we
do that until frost comes, mamma says
there will be enough to feed the
kitchen stove all winter. You know
we may not be able to get any coal
all winter on account of the war"
Jed called to the children, who re-
garded him shyly and in wonderment.
He made them aware Of his mishap.
81 must get to the nearest house and
have a doctor sent for" he told them,
weak from the intense pain of the in
jured member. Hurry and get some
one to come for me-"
eve live the nearest" vOuchsafed
the little fellow, "but we have no
horse and wagon, and grandpa can't
walk. If you amt too much hurt and
could sit on our little wagon here, we
could get you to the house, and then
I'll run over to Mrs. Porter's, who has
got telephone and get the doctor"
you're bright, good lad" COM
mented Jed, and then, through groan-
ing and writhing dismally, with the
help of the little ones, he managed to
place himself on the fat board of the
vehicle. His helpers were careful and
solicitous, but the way was rough and
uneven, and at every jolt the sufferer
nearly tainted away. His eyes were
closed and he lay collapsed upon the
wagon board as the lad shouted out ::
ooh, grandpa! here's man broke
his leg, and he wants doctor, and"
Jed Farley looked up. His face be-
came void. He gasped for breath. By
what trick of fate had he been discov-
cred by the grandchildren Of his own
brother, and now at his mercy for the
care and attention he had refused that
brother for so many years!
Eyes, get a DOCTOR" breathed Jed
appealingy. This fearful pain will
kill me. I can't move"
81 haven't moved for ten years." re-
marked Morton Farley from the old
armchair he had filled, helpless, for a
full decade. you are welcome, Jed.
It's a poor home, for ever since the
day I was struck down by a footpad
and robbed of the money owed you,
all ready to pay you back, I haven't
been able to stir, even on crutches."
The sublime patience of Luke Farley
touched the soul of old Jed strangely.
An hour later he found himself sur
rounded by the care and comfort he
craved, with his nephew's wife his
nurse. The doctor forbade his removal
for week. What wonders In healing
old animosities those seven days re-
vealed!
Edgemoor heard of the transforms
ton of Jed Farley into a loving
brother with satisfaction and appro-
baton, Judge Warrington first, and,
the day Jed was removing to the home
of his brother to live with him perma-
nently. he said to Jed: