Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-01-18
CHAPTER XVI.
The Man With the Scythe.

Inc man win 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 a 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
l was aboard the steamboat, at last,
and on my way to all most dear to mel
AS I entered Lake Champlain 1 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. NY
aunt had said in letter that old Kate
was living there and that great
change had come over her. So went
ashore and hired horse of the ferry
man.
l 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. l found the
Wright homestead-a comfortable
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 sunllt fields.
SIS this where Senator Wright lived
when he was a boy?" 1 asked.
eyes, sir,' the old lady answered.
81 am from Canton"
She rose from her chair.
You from Canton" she exclaimed.
why, Of all things That's where NV
boys home Is. I'm glad to see YOU. Go
an put your horse in the barn"
1 dlsmounted and she came near me.
"Silas Wright is my boy" she said.
What is your nameY
"Barton Baynes," I 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 tbat
you were going to leave your place in
Coblesklll," she continued to my sur
prise. "He said that he was glad Won
had decided not to stay"
It was joyful news to me, for the
senator's silence had worried me and
had begun to think with alarm of NV
future.
IT wish that he would take you to
Washington to help him. The poor
man has too much to do"
II should think it a great privilege
to CO." 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 l have known the mothers 10Y.
can truly say, Now LEI thy servant
depart in peace.'"
"'For mine eyes have seen thy SAL
quoted.
"You see l know much about vou
and much about your aunt and uncle"
said Mrs. Wright.
She left me for a moment and soon
the whole household was gathered
about me on the porch, the men hnv-
ing come up from the fields. They put
my horse in the barn and pressed me
TO stay for dinner, which | did. AS I
was going the gentle old lady gave
me q pair of mittens which her distin-
gulshed son had worn during his last
winter in college. l remember well
now tenderly she handled thcml
i hope that Silas will get you to
help him''-those were the last words
by.
Inc shadows were long when l got
20 Canterbury. At the head of its
man street l looked down upon q vii
Iage green and some fine old elms. 1t
was singularly quiet place. l stopped
~ front of big white meeting house.
an oid man was moving in its grave
YARD near the highway. Slowly he
swung his scythe.
!. DO you know where Kate Fullerton
livesY asked.
"eii' us purity likely that do" he
answered as he stood resting on his
'rath. I've lived seventy-two years
~ nus n.-l CO. he fourteenth day o.