Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1919-01-03
SYNOPSIS.

SYNOPSIS.
CHAPTER I-Barton Baynes orphan,
Is taken to live with his uncle, Peabody
Baynes, and his Aunt Deel on a farm on
Rattleroad In neighborhood called Lick
itysplit, about the year 1895 Barton meets
Sally Dunkelberg, about his own age, but
socially of class above the Bayneses,
and Is fascinated by the pretty face
and fine clothes
CHAPTER II-Barton meets Rowing
Kate. known In the neighborhood as the
Silent Woman" Amos Grimshaw, young
son of the richest man In the township,
is visitor at the Baynes home, and
Rowing Kate tells the fortunes OF the two
boys, predicting bright future for Bar
ton and death on the gallows for Amos.
Reproved for an act OF boylsh mischief
Barton runs away, intending to make his
home with the Dunkelbergs. He reaches
the village of Canton and falls into a
sleep of exhaustion on a porch. There
he is found by silas Wright, Jr., promi-
nent man in public affairs, who. knowing
Peabody Baynes, takes Barton home at
ter buying him new clothes.
CHAPTER III-Barton and his uncle
and aunt visit Canton and hear Sllas
Wright read a sermon.
CHAPTER TV-silas Wright evinces
much interest In Barton, and sends box
of books and magazines to the Baynes
home. The election of Silas Wright TO
the United States senate Is announced.
Our cousin twisted the poker IN
his great hands until it squeaked as
he stood before my uncle and said:
my wife and I have chopped and
burnt and pried and hauled rocks an
shoveled dung an MIXED an churned
until we are worn out. For almost
twenty years we've been workin' 1fnvs
an nights an Sundays. My mortgage
was overdue, | owed six hundred dol.
lars on it. l thought it all over one
day an went up to GrmShaw's an
took him by the back of the neck
and shook him. He said he would
drive me out O. the country. He
gave me six months to pay up. l had
to pay or lose the land. got the
money on the note that you signed
over in Potsdam. Nobody in Can.
ton would "a dared to lend it to
me-"
"Why?" my uncle asked.
"Fraid O. Grimshaw. He didn't
want me to be able to pay it. The
place is worth more than six hundred
dollars nOw-that's the reason. in
tended to cut some timber an haul
1t to the village this winter so | could
pay a part O. the note an git more
time as I told ye. but the roads have
been so bad l couldn't do any haul
In"
My uncle went and took drink at
The water pail. l saw by his face
that he was unusually wrought up.
my heavens an earth " he ex-
claimed as he sat down again.
Its the brain collie" l said to
myself as l looked at him.
Mr.. Barnes seemed to have it also.
"TOO much note" l whispered.
I'm awful sorry, but I've done
everything l could" said Mr.. Barnes.
"Ain't there somebody thatll take
another mOrtgage?-it ought to be
safe now" my uncle suggested.
Money is so tight 1t can't be done.
The bank has got all the money an
Grilnshaw owns the bank. I've tried
and tried, but I'll make you safe. I'll
give you mortgage until / can turn
round"
SO l saw how Rodney Barnes, like
other settlers in Lickitysplit, had gone
inlo bondage to the landlord.
"lIow much do you owe on this
placer Barnes asked.
"Seven hundred an fifty dollars"
said my uncle.
rs it due?"
'It's been due a year an if l have
to pay that note I'll be short my in
terest."
"God O. Israeli Pm scairt," said
Uncle Peabody.
Down crashed the stick Of wood
into the box.
what aboutT
ut would be like him to put the
screws on you now. You've got be-
tween him an his prey. You've taken
the mouse away from the cat"
remember the little panic that
fell on us then. 1 could see tears
in the eyes Of Aunt Deel as she sat
with her head leaning wearily on her
hand.
IF he does I'll do all 1 can" said
Barnes, whatever I've got will be
yours"
Rodney Barnes left US, and l re-
member how Uncle Peabody stood in
the middle of the floor and whistled
the merriest tune he knew.
stand right up here" he called in
his most cheerful tone. "Stand right |
nm hora hnfnrn mn koth