The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-03-18

! 1890 that changes took place in the
lives of some of our story folk in
deed.
1t did not come wholly unexpected
the Truman bankruptcy. The town
knew that Herb was drinking heavily
and that for some mysterious reason
the Purses were trying desperately
to save him. But for an equally
mysterious reason, every time there
was a new young one in the Purse
home, Herb went on a spree-a ter
rlble spree-and the last one ended
in his being arrested and detained in
Sheriff Crumpett's emporium under
the town hall over night because be-
hind the reins of MondayWashing he
was menace to the safety of ou1
public streets.
Judge Farmer, who had gone on
the board of directors Of the Peoples
National Bank, gave it out that Mibb
had drawn drafts on the husband
which time and again cleaned him out
of ready cash and once caused the
wagon-works to skip payroll.
The Judge had long talk with Herb
ert on that occasion and advised the
husband to let the drafts be report
ed back as unpaid. But Herb said
he couldn't do that. Mibb might
have received money on them and if
one came back unpaid it might lead
to her arrest and all manner of scan
dial. Thereat the Judge secured
MabePs address and wrote her a
harsh letter about which Herb never
knew. For time the sums she ask
ed for were reasonable. When she
drew a check on a big New York
jewelry house for sum that would
have supported the Purse family TO,
I year and at the same time Hert
had to sell the Holland place to NEE
some of his notes, the Judge knew
he end was only matter of time
The directors of the Peoples Nation
Il called in Herbs paper. That fin
shed him. He made an assignment
Bud Matherson was placed il
charge to run the business for time
COR the benefit of the creditors.
Herb appeared one night at the
PURSES. His clothes were wrinklet
md his face unshaven. His eyes
were a trifle bleared and his voice
tracked. But he was far from being
intoxicated.
Most bankrupts make frantic ano
hopeless efforts to recoup. They try
convince their friends that the
embarrassment is only temporary
They go around swapping rubber
bands on papers and looking
hopeful and important and then
is the tide goes against them
explaining to everyone who will lis
;en, exactly how it happened and that
everybody else in the business was to
blame but themselves. But Herb did
none of these things. He was listless
md silent and seemingly relieved that
he responsibility had slipped from
ais shoulders. He got down on the
1oor and played with the little Purse
Boys until Jack came home from the
shop and then with a sigh he got UP
md sat in chair and became apol-
ogetic.
Jack" he said unevenly, "-I ain't
ever asked many real fayors O. you
folks execeptin' to come over now
and then and take your kids to &
circus, have T."
mo-" Jack replied.
81 got just one big favor to ask
of you now"
Jack thought Herb wanted to Dor
row money. He would have loance
it gladly had there been any pros
pect of getting it back, despite the
/ fact that because of the youngsters
and doctors and clothing and grocery
bills Mary's fifteen-hundred odd dol
lars remaining from the legacy, hat
gradually dissolved until but eight
hundred and fifty dollars were left
"What is it, Herb"
"How much money you got, Jack
That's personal, but I'd just like tt
know before I speak what | come
for"
We've got several hundred
| dollars"
| Herb fingered baby's toy he pick
ed from the floor. He dropped it
couple of times and picked it vi
again.
@Jack, got an idea I'll do littl,
travelin,' he said. 81 don't mean jus
| down to New York and back.