The Holly chieftain., 1919-03-13
CHAPTER x,-continued.

] count this one of the great events
Of my youth. But there was greater
one, although 1t seemed not SO at the
time of 1t. A traveller on the road to
Ballybeen had dropped his pocketbook
containing large amount of money
$2.7OO was the sum, II ! remember
rightly. He was 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withdrawn his money.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-
foundly stirred by them. Searching
parties went up the road stirring its
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 treasured mystery of the
village and of all the hills and val.
ieys toward Ballybeen-a topic of old
wives and gabbling husbands at the
freside 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 Hackets', 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 yel' said Mr..
Hacket as he bade us goodby. EVERY
day our thoughts will be going up the
bills 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 my
uncle presently. "We've agreed to get
out by the middle O. May"
How does that happen?" asked,
Il settled with Grimshaw and agreed
to go. II 1t 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 new home. We've
bought hundred an fifty acres from
Abe Leonard. Coin to build new
house in the spring. 1t will be nearer
the village"
He playrully nudged my ribs with
his elbow.
''We've had little good luck, Bart"
he went on. "I'll tell We what 1t is If
you won't say anything about it."
promised.
II dunno as 1t would matter much"
he continued. "but don't want to do
any braggin'. It amt anybody's busi-
ness, anyway. An old uncle over in
Vermont died three weeks ago and
left us thirty-eight. hundred dollars.
II was old Uncle Ezra Baynes o.
Hinesburg. Died without chick or
child. Your aunt and me slipped down
to POtsdam an took the stage an
went over an got the money. It was
more money than ever see before
in my life. We put 1t in the bank in
Potsdam to keep 1t out o. Grimshaw's-
hands. wouldn't trust that man as
fur rs you could throw bull by the
TAIL"
It was cold, clear night, and when
we reached home the new stove was
swapping with the heat in its firebox
and the pudding putting in the pot
and old Shep dreaming In the chimney
corner. Aunt Deel gave me hug at
the door. Shep barked and leaped to
my shoulders.
"Why. Bart! You're CROWN like
weed-ain't ye7-ayes We be-" my
aunt said MS she stood and looked at
ne. "Set right down here an warm
ye-ayes 1--we done all the chores
ayes!"
How warm and comfortable was the
dear old room with those beloved faces
In 1t. wonder If paradise itself can
seem more pleasant to me. have had
the best food this world can provide.
in my time. but never anything that
l ate with a keener relish than the
pudding and milk and bread and but
ter and cheese and pumpkin pie which
Aunt Deel gave us that night.
Supper over, wiped the dishes for
my aunt while Uncle Peabody went
out to feed and water the horses Then
we sat down In the genial warmth
while told the story of my life in
"the busy town." as they called 1t.
What pride and attention they gave
me then!
My fine clothes and the story of how
had come by them taxed my inge-
nuity somewhat, although not improp-
erly. ] had to be careful not to let
them know that had been ashamed
of the homemade suit. They somehow.
felt the truth about 1t and a little
silence followed the story. Then Auat