Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1919-03-07
CHAPTER XVII.
I Start in a Long Way.

| 0aV. l went Ut once ~ Gull upon lne
Dunkelbergs and learned from a man
az work in the dOOryard that they had
gone away for the summer. How
keen was my disappointment! | went
to the tavern and got my supper and
then over to Ashery lane to see Mi
chael Hacket and his family. found
the schOolmaster playing his violin.
"Now God be praised-here is
Bart" he exclaimed as he put down
his instrument and took my hands
in his. "I've heard, my boy, how
bravely we've weathered the capes an
I'm proud O. ye-that am|
1 wondered what he meant for
second and then asked:
GLOW go these days. with your
"Swift as the weaver's shuttle" he
answered. "Sit you down, while call
the family. They're out in the kitchen
putting the dishes away. Many hands
make light labor"
They came quickly and gathered
about me-a noisy, happy group. The
younger children kissed me ard sat on
my knees and gave me the small news
of the neghbOrhood.
How good were the look Of those
friendly faces and the full-hearted
pleasure of the whole family at my
coming!
What a joy for the spare room"
exclaimed the sChoolmaster. "Sure L
wouldn't wonder if the old bed was
dancin on its four legs this very min
ute"
81 intend to walk up to the hills to-
night" | said
up to the hills" he exclaimed mer-
rily. "An' the Jackets lynn awake
thinkin' o. We on the dark road Try
it, boy, an ye'll get crack with the
ruler and an hour after school, Yer
aunt and uncle will be stronger to
stand yer comm with the nights rest
upon them. Ye wouldn't be rOutln'
them out o. bed an they after hard
day with the hayin'l Then, my kind
hearted lad, We must give thought to
Michael Henry. He's still alive an
stronger than ever-thank God !"
So although longed for those most
dear to me up in the hills, I spent the
night with the Jackets and the school
master and I sat an hour together af-
ter the family had gone to bed.
"HOw are the Dunkelberg's" l
asked.
"Sunk in the soft embrace O. lux
ury," he answered "Grimshaw made
him; GrimShaw liked him. He was
always ready to lick the boots O. Grim
shaw 1t turned out that Grimshaw
left him an annuity of three thousand
dollars, which he can enjoy as long
as he observes one condition"
"What is that?"
"He must not let his daughter mar
ry one Barton Baynes late o the town
q Ballybeen How is that for spite,
my boy? They say it's written down
In the will"
I think that he must have seen the
flame of color playing on my face, for
he quickly added:
''DOn't worry, lad. The will O. God
is greater than the will O. Grimshaw.
He made you two for each other and
she will be true to ye, as true as the
needle to the north star"
"DO you think so?'
"Sure / do. Didn't she as much as
tell me that here in this room-nOt
week ago? She loves ye, boy, as true
as God loves We, an she's a girl Of
thousand"
"Why did they go away? Was 1t
because l was coming?"
II think it likely, my fine lad. The
man heard O. it some way-perhaps
through yer uncle. He's crazy for the
money, but he'll get over that. Leave
him to me. I've fine course O. In
struction ready for my lord O Dunkel'
berg"
~ think 1 shall go and try to find
her." 1 said.
81 am to counsel ye about that"
said the schoOlmaster. "Shes as keen
as a brier-the fox! She says, Keep
away. Don't alarm him, or he'll
bundle us Off to Europe for two or
three years.
$50 there's the trail ye travel, my
boy. It's the one that keeps away,
Don't let him think we've anything up
the sleeve o. yer mind. All, my lad,
I know the heart o. youth Ye'd like
to be putin yer arms around her
wouldn't We, now? Sure, there's time
enoughl Ye're in the old treadmlll O.
God-the both O. vel Ye're bein'
weighed an tried for the great prize.
It's not pleasant, but it's better so,
Go on. now, an do yer best an what.
ever comes take 1t like a man."
A little silence followed. He broke
It with these words:
"Ye're done with that business in
Cobleskill, an I'm glad. Ye didn't
know ye were bein' tried there-dld
yer Ye've stood 1t like a man. What
will We be dom now7"