The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-10-04
CHAPTER XVI.
The Man With the scythe.

1t was late in June before was able
to disengage myself from the work Of
the judges office. Meanwhile there
had been blood shed back in the hills.
One of the sheriff's posse had been Sc
verely wounded by bullet and had
failed to. serve the writs. The Judge
had appealed to the governor. People
were talking Of "the rent war;"
What joy entered my heart when
was aboard the steamboat, at last,
and on my way to all most dear to me!
AS I entered Lake Champlain con-
suited the map and decided to leave
the boat at Chimney Point to. find Kate
Fullerton, who had written to the
schoolmaster from Canterbury. My
aunt had said in letter that old Kate
was living there and that a great
change had come over her. Sol went
ashore and hired horse of the ferry
man.
I passed through Middlebury and
rode into the grounds of the college,
where the senator had been educated,
and on out to Weybridge to see where
he had lived as boy. / fcupd &c
| Wright homestead c6snfhys! HBI6
white house at the head of beautiful
valley with wooded hills behind it,
and rode up to the door. A white
haired old lady in a black lace cap
was sitting on its porch looking out
at the sunlit fields.
SIS this where Senator Wright lived
when he was boy?" asked. =
eyes, sir" the old lady answered.
II am from Canton"
She rose from her chair.
"You from Canton!" she exclaimed.
''Why, of all things! That's where my
boys home is. Pm glad to see you. Go
an put your horse in the barn."
| / dismounted and she came near me.
"Silas Wright is my boy" she said.
"What is your name?"
Barton Baynes," answered as
hitched my horse.
Barton Baynes! Why, Silas has
| told me all about you in his letters.
He writes to me every week. Come
and sit down."
We sat down together on the porch.
"Silas wrote in his last letter that
you were going to leave your place in
Cobleskill," she continued to my sur
Prise. "He said that he was glad you
had decided not to stay"
1t was joyful news to me, for the
senator's silence had worried me and /
had begun to think with alarm of my
future.
81 wish that he would take you to
Washington to help him. The poor
man has too much to do"
81 should think it a great privilege
to go," answered.
"My boy likes you" she went on.
"You have been brought up just as he
was. used to read to him every eve
ming when the candles were lit. How
hard he worked to make man of him.
self I have known the mothers joy
can truly say, Now let thy servant
depart in peace"
"'For mine eyes have seen thy sal
yation,'" quoted.
"You see I know much about yor
and much about your aunt and UNCLE
said Mrs. Wright.
She left me for a moment and soor
the whole household was gathered
about me on the porch, the men hay
ing come up from the fields. They put
my horse In the barn and crossed nle
to stay for dinner, which ] did. AS
was going the gentle old lady gave
me pair Of Iaittens which her distin
, guished son had worn during his las
, winter in college. / remember wei
how tenderly she handled theml
II hope that Silas will get you t
help him"--those were the last words
| she said to me when I babe her good
: by.
The shadows were long when ! 90
; to Canterbury. AT the head Of it
7 .main street I looked down upon q vii
lage green and some fine old elms. |
: was singularly quiet place. ! stopDe'
: in front Of a big white meeting house
! An old man was moving in its grave
yard near the highway. Slowly b
swung his scythe. K