The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-08-25
The Dreamer
1---N
@ASSD I'D.
BY oTILLIA F. PFEIFFER

Central railroad had its terminus n
Weston. Five miles south was Belle
, Vile and bus was always in waiting
4 for passengers for that point Thu
fare was only q dime, yet u young
man who left the train and whose DIES
tination was Belleville did not take
the waiting conveyance, but started
down the smooth country road on
foot.
He had reason for wishing to takt
the leisurely walk. His mind was fill
ed with memories. Down that same
road five years previously ne had limp
ed, footsore, just recovering from a
fit of sickness, without home,
friends or money. His handsome, open
face clouded as he looked back to
that forlorn day. 1t frightened again
magically as what that lonely tramp
had led to REQUIRED TO him.
l Day of all days, the start in new
career that had led to ambition and
fortune-how he cherished the mem
DRY. He took from his pocket Il card
| Upon 1t was written four names. They
were Lolita Burt. Neal Brooke, Jane
Adams, Abner Wise. One by one he
spoke them, lingering fondly, long
| ingly over each. Lolita Burt. 1t was
at her home that he had paused that
day of destiny in the past Now 1t
was as If only yesterday, SO vivid was
his remembrance. He was nearly eX-
hausted as she came around the house
to regard him with manifest pity in
her sweet, bonny face. The story he
told brought the tears to her gentle
eyes and then she invited him into the
house and called her aged father.
Gods own people," spoke Wylie
Barnes reverently the next morning,
when he left the house after night
of grateful rest and Strengthening
meals, an old but sound pair of shoes
on his blistered feet, and this angel
of the house, Lolita, waving him an
adieu of friendly encouragement.
DR.. Neal Brooke, superannuated
clergyman, he had met nearer the
town center. Subsisting on pitiful
charity stipend the good old man,
whose only desire in his failing years
was for books and little less of
worry over food supplies, had taken
futherly interest in Wyie. 1t was
through his influence that neighbor,
a widow, Jane Adams, had consented
to trust Wylie for board and lodging
until he got work. That came the
next day with Abner Wise, a cooper,
whose whole dream was to find enough
capital to patent a slack barrel wire
device that he had invented.
Within a month Wylie Barnes was
comfortable, full of hope and happy
this latter because the four sterling
hearted helpers he had found became
true friends, and because Lolita SEEM
ed glad to have him drop in twice
week evenings.
The sweet, simple-hearted girl was
revered divinity to him and she
recognized in him manliness and |
earnestness that made her glad to vel
come him.
At the end of six months Wylle babe |
his four loyal friends goodbye. 1t |
was TO Lolita only, however, that he
revealed his plans and prospects.
"An old partner of mine has writ
ten me about new gold discovery In !
the far northwest" he related, land |
l am going going to cast my lot In |
with him. But I am coming back,
soon as I make respectable pile.
Belleville shall see me settle down. |
And / am going to remember all you |
dear, true friends. l am going to |
bring to Doctor Brooke the finest IL
brary money can buy. That queen of !
womanhood, Mrs. Adams, shall have !
the kitchen range and piano she has |
longed for so many years. Abner !
Wise, / am going to provide with all |
the capital necessary TO develop his
great invention"
"Oh, you delightful dreamer" cried
Lolita playfully, but with confidence
in her glowing eyes.
"And you, Lolita" added Wylie ten
Derby Il will lay at your feet the |
treasures of the world, if they are
mine to give"
TheS he was gone, and now he had |
returned and one hour later he stood !
at the door of the old Burt home to
find it in new hands, John Burt dead, |
and Lolita, he was told. was making
livelihood as housekeeper for a neigh |
Dor farmer.
He came upon Lolita in her new |
home among some berry bushes, She
dropped the dish in which she was
gathering the luscious fruit and fair
ly tottered.
Wylie led her to grassy hummock.
Mrs. Adams, the old minister Mr.. |
Wise-yes, they were all alive, and |
then Wylie exuberated over his mar
velous story Of wealth. What hap
piness to again meet these old-time |
friends. How he would enjoy the
bestownl OF library. kitchen range and |
piano, and capital to the cooper lnyen
tor. And then he told the gayering
Lolitn ~ his hearts desire 10 MAKE !
her lndependent Tor life. She - -,;,,.i .
have l,r avn a--,ee. ss.ss aud diA |
monds, and then-"Why Lolita {" for I
she had burst into tears
- don't want moNey, or Jewels. |
am so happy 20 see you again. alive /
.,.alT man 1fnapa r.,as. 49, i