The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-04-12
THEu6HT
IN HE2lEARIN6
A TALE OF THE NORTH COUNTRY
IN THE TIME OF SILAS WRIGHT
EV
IRVING 6ACHEuER
sHparrpsSysunIsS lvI.o l.c,nln
CHAPTER xi-Continued.

time OF ii. A traveller on the road 10
B8llybeen had dropped his pOcketboOk
containing a large amount of money
S2.70O was the sum. If | 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withdrawn his money.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-
foundiy stirred by them. Searching
parties went up the road stirring its
dust and cropping in its grass and bril-
ers for the great prize which was sup
posed to be lying there. 1t was said,
however, that the quest had been IN
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
treside for unnumbered years.
BY and by the fall term of school
ended. Uncle Peabody came down to
get me the day before Christmas.
had enjoyed my work and my life at
the Jackets, on the whole, but 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 yew 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.
Were goin' TO move" said my
uncle presently. We've agreed to get
out by the middle o. May"
How does that happen?" | asked.
II settled with Grimshaw and agreed
to go. If it hadn't IA been for Wright
and Baldwin we wouldn't "a got a
cent. They threatened 10 bid against
him at the sale. So he settled. We're
goin' 10 have new home. We've
bought a hundred an fifty acres from
Abe Leonard. Coin to buIld new
house in the spring. II will be nearer
the village"
He playfully nudged my ribs with
his elbow.
We've had little good luck, Bart.
he went on. I'll tell ye what it is II
you won't say anything about it."
! promised.
II dunno as il would matter much.
he continued, but | don't want to DC
| any braggin'. 1t amt anybOdy's bust
| ness, anyway. An old uncle over in
Vermont died three weeks ago ant
| left US thirty eight hundred dollars
! II was old Uncle Ezra Baynes o
| Hinesburg. Died without chick ol
child. Your aunt and me slipped dOwI
to Potsdam an took the stage an
went over an got the money. 1t wa
more money than | ever see before
in my life, We put IL in the bank II
Potsdam to keep ii out o. Grimshaw':
hands. | wouldn't trust that man n:
fur rs you could throw bull by thu
tail"
II was a cold. clear night. and wheI
We reached home the now stove wa
Swapping with the heat in its fireho,
and the pudding putting in the 20
and old Shpp dreaming In the Gimme.
corner. Aunt Depl gave mo hug a
the door. Shep barked and leaped Z
my shoulders.
"why. Bart! You're Crowin' IKE
wped--ain't ye?-ayes We be" m
amt said as she stood and looked a
ne. "Set right down here an war;
ye-ayes I've done all the chores
ayes!"
How warm and comfortable was III
dear old room with those beloved face
In II. wonder If paradise itself ca
seem more pleasant 10 me. | have ha
the best food this world can provide
in my time. hut never anything tina
ate with n keener relish than In
pudding and milk and bread and bu
ter and cheese and pumpkin pie whic
Aunt Deel gave US that night.
Supper over, | wiped the dishes fo
nv aunt while Uncle Peabody wen
out to feed and water the horses. The
We sat down in the genial warmt
while told the story of my life !
1.-THE busy town." as they called I
What pride and attention they CAV
me then!
NV fine clothes and the story Of ho'
| had come by them taxed my ing'
nuity somewhat. although not improT
erly. | had to be careful not to ],
them know that had been ashamc
OF the homemade suit. They Someho'
felt the truth about il and littl
silence followed the story. Then Au;
Deel drew her chair near me an
touched my hair very gently an
looked into my face without speakin;
ayes! / know" she said present..
In a kind of careSsing tone. with
touch OF sadness In it. They ain
used TO coarse homeSpun stun dow
there in the village. They made fu
o ye-didn't they. Bart"
Il don't care about that" ! assure
them. THE minds the measure ,
the man." quoted. remembering III
lines the Senator had repeated to IN
That's sound" Uncle Peabody g,
claimed wiki enthusiasm.
Aunt Deel took my hand in hers an
surveyed il thoughtfully for m0uIcI
without speaking.
You amt gOin to have 20 s-ff,
thar way no more she said ia Il 10
tone. We're goiD' 10 be more comft
ble-ayeS Yer uncle thought we bette
go West, but | couldn't bear to go u
p SO fur an leave mother an father a
sister Susan an all the folks we love
layin' here in the ground alone
want 10 lay down with 'em 10y an /