Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1919-05-08

ana really the spirit of Silas Wright
feeding the hungry and clothing the
naked and warming the cold house,
in the absence of it's owner. 1t was
the heart Of Wright joined to that of
the schoolmaster, which sat in the
green chair.
1 fear that my work suffered a mo-
1nent's interruption, for just then I
began to know the great heart of the
senator. Its warmth was in the cloth
ing that covered my back, its delicacy
in the Ignorance of those who had
shared its b~enefactions.
I count this one Of the great events
of my youth. But there was a greater
one, although it seemed not so at the
time Of it. A traveller on the road to
Ballybeen had dropped his pocketbook
containing a large amount of money
$2,700 was the sum, If I remember
rightly. He was a man who, being
justly suspicious of the banks, had
withdrawn his money. Posters an
nounced the loss and the offer of a
large reward. The village was pro-
foundry stirred by them. Searching
parties went up the road stirring it's
dust and cropping In its grass and bri-
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 a treasured mystery Of the
village and Of all the hills and val
leys toward Ballybeen-a topic Of old.
wives and Cabling husbands at the
Preside for unnumbered years.
By and by the fall term of school
ended. Uncle Peabody came down to
get me the day before Christmas. I
had enjoyed my work and my life at
the Jackets, on the whole, but I 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 vel" said Mr..
Hacket as he babe us goodby. "Every
day our thoughts will be going up the
hills to your house."
The bells rang merrily as we hur-
ried through the swamp in the hard
snow paths.
"We're goin' to move," said nv
uncle presently. "We've agreed to get
out by the middle O. May"
"How does that happen?" I asked.
II settled with Grimshaw and agreed
to go. If it 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
goin' to have a new home. We've
bought a hundred an fifty acres from
Abe Leonard. Coin to build a new
house in the spring. 1t will be nearer
the village"
He playfully nudged my ribs with
his elbow.
"We've had a little good luck, Bart
he went on. "Il tell We what it is if
you won't say anything about it,"
I promised.
II dunno as it would matter much
he continued, "but 1 don't want to do
any b%raggin'. 1t amt a%nybody's bust.
ness, anyway. An old uncle over in
Vermont died three weeks ago and
left us thirty-eight hundred dollars
1t was old Uncle Ezra Baynes O.
Hinesburg. Died without a chick OF
child. Your aunt and me slipped down
to Potsdam an took the stage an
went over an got the money. 1t was
more money than I ever see before
in my life. We put it in the bank ir
Potsdam to keep it out O. Grimshaw's
hands. I wouldn't trust that man as
fur as you could throw a bull by the
TAIL"
It was a cold, clear night, and Wher
we reached home the new stove was
swapping With the heat in it's freboz
and the pudding putting in the po'
and old Shep dreaming in the chimney
corner. Aunt Deel gave me a hug al
the door. Sher barked and 1eaped tx
my shoulders.
"Why, Bart! You're CROWN like s
weed-ain't ye?-ayes We be" my
aunt said as she stood and looked a
ne. "Set right down here an warn
ye-ayes 1--we done all the chores
ayes!"
How warm and comfortable "a thu
dear old room with those beloved face:
In 1t. I wonder if paradise itself cal
seem more pleasant to me. I have hat
the best food this world can provide
In my time, but never anything tina
I ate with a keener relish than tn
pudding and milk and bread and but
ter and cheese and pumpkin pie which
Aunt Deel gave us that night.
Supper over, 1 wiped the dishes TO
my aunt while Uncle Peabody wen
out to feed and water the horses. Thel
we sat down in the genial warmth
while I told the story of my life il
"the busy town." as they called it
What pride and attention they 'gav'
me then!
My fine clothes and the story of how
I had come by them taxed my inge
nuity somewhat, although not improp
erly. I had to be careful not to lie