The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1919-04-03
CHAPTER xl-contlnued.

OF my youth. But there was greater
one, although 1t seemed not so Mt the
time of it. A traveller on the road to
Ballybeen had dropped his pocketbook
containing large amount Of money
S2,TOO was the sum, If | remember
rightly. lie was n man who, being
justly suspicious of the banks, had
withdrawn his money. Posters an
nounced the loss and the offer of q
large reward. The village was pro-
foundly Stirred by them. Searching
parties went up the road stirring Its
dust and cropping in its grass and bril-
ers for the great prize which was sup
posed to be lying there. 1t was said,
however, that the quest had been un-
successful SO the lost pocketbook
became treasured mystery Of the
village md of all the hills and val.
leys toward Ballybeen--a topic of old
wives and gabbling husbands at the
fresde for unnumbered years.
BY and by the fall term of school
euded. Uncle Peabody came down to
get me the day before Christmas. l
had enjoyed my work and my life at
the Hackets', on the whole, but was
glad to be going home again. My
uncle was In high spirits and there
were many packages in the sleigh.
"A merry Christmas to We both an
may the Lord love yep said Mr..
Hacket as he bade us goodby. Every
day our thoughts will be gong up the
hills 10 your house."
The bells rang merrlly as we hur-
ried through the swamp In the hard
snow paths.
"We're goIn' TO move" said my
uncle presently. We've agreed to get
out by the middle o. May"
"Iow does that happen?" asked.
II settled with Grimshaw and agreed
to go. If ii hadn't a been for Wright
and Baldwin we wouldn't a got a
cent. They threatened to bid against
him at the sale. So he settled. We're
gon' TO have new home. We've
bought hundred an fifty acres from
Abe Leonard. Coin 10 build new
house in the spring 1t will be nearer
the village
He playtully nudged my ribs with
his elbow.
We've had little good luck. Bart"
he went on. "l'll tell ye what 1t is II
you won't say anything about it"
promised.
81 dunno as 1t would matter much,"
he continued, "but don't want to do
any braggln'. 1t amt anybody's busi-
ness. anyway. An old uncle over In
Vermont died three weeks ago md
left us thirty-eight hundred dollars.
1t WAS old Uncle Ezra Baynes O.
Hinesburg. Died without chick or
child. Your aunt and me slipped down
to Potsdnm an took the stage an
went over an got the money. 1t was
more money than l ever sec before
in my life. We put 1t In the bank in
Potsdam to keep II out O. Grimshaw's
hands. / wouldn't trust that man as
fur as you could throw q bull by the
tail"
1t wns cold, clear night, and when
we reached home the new stove was
swapping with the heat In Its firebox
md the pudding putting In the pot
md old Shep dreaming In the chimney
corner. Aunt Deel gave me hug at
the door Shep barked and leaped to
"Why, Bart! You're growin' like n
weed--aln't ye?-ayes We be-" my
aunt said MS she stood and looked at
ire. "Set right down here an warm
ye-ayes I've done all the chores
ayesl"
How warm and comfortable was the
dear old room with those beloved faces
In 1t. ! wonder II paradise Itself can
seem more pleasant to me. have Ind
the best food this world can provide,
In my time, but never anything that
ate with keener relish than the
pudding and milk and bread and but.
ter and cheese md pumpkin pie which
Aunt Deel gave US that night.
Supper over, ! wiped the dishes for
my aunt while Uncle Peabody went
out to feed and water the horses. Then
we snt down In the genial warmth
while I told the story Of my life In
"the busy town." as they called It
What pride and attention they gave
me then
My fine clothes and the story of how
had come by them taxed my inge'
nuity somewhat, although not improp'
erly. / had to be careful not to lie,
them know that l had been ashamed
of the homemade suit. They somehow
felt the truth about 1t and little
silence followed the story. Then Aunt