Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1919-01-17
The Light in the Clearing
Continued from Page Two)

tion. Do you think that the son o
Ben Grimshaw will receive punish
ment even if he is proved guilty? No
at all. He will be protected-you marx
my words"
He bowed and left us. When the
door had closed behind him Mr.. Hacker
said:
"Another victim horned by the
Snapdragon! If a man were to be
slain by a bear back In the woods
Colonel Hand would look for guilt In
the opposition party. Michael Henry
whatever the truth may be regarding
the poor boy in Jail, we are in no way
responsible. Away with sadness
What Is that?"
Mr.. Hacket inclined his ear and then
added: "Michael Henry says that he
may be innocent and that we had bet
ter go and see if we can help him.
Now | hadn't thought o. that. Had
you, Mary|
NO" the girl answered.
I'VE must be letting Mike go ahead
Of us always" said her father "Ym
saw the crime, believe" turning to
me.
told them all knew of it.
Upon my word, I like you, my
brave lad" said the schoolmaster. ~
heard of all this and decided that you
would be help to Michael Henry and
a creditable student. Come, let us
go and pay our compliments to the
senator"
The schOOlmaster and I went over
to MIR. Wright's hOuse-a white, frame
building which had often been pointed
out to me.
Mrs. Wright, fine-looking lady who
met us at the door, said that the SEN
ator had gone over to the mill with his
wheebarrOw.
We've plenty Of time and we'll walt
for him." said the schoolmaster.
II see him." said little John as he
and Ruth ran to the gate and down
the rough plank walk to meet him.
We saw him coming a little way
down the street in his shirt-sleeveS
with his barrow in front of him. He
stopped and lifted little John in his
arms, and after a moment put him
down and embraced Ruth.
well, | see we still love the tender
embrace o. the wheelbarrOw," said Mr..
Hacket as we approached the senator.
"My embrace is the tenderer Of the
two" the latter laughed with look
at his hands.
He recognized me and seized my
two hands and shook them as he said
Upon my word, here is my friend
Bart. was not looking for you here
He put his hand on my head, now
higher than his shoulder and said:
81 was not looking for you here"
He asked about my aunt and uncle
and expressed joy at learning that |
was now under Mr.. Hacket,
81 shall be here for number of
weeks" he said, "and shall want to
see you often. Maybe well go hunt
ing some Saturday."
We babe him good morning and he
went on with his wheelbarrOw, which
was loaded, | remember, with stout
sacks of meal and -four.
We went to the school at half past
eight. What thrilling place it was
with its 70 children and Its three
rooms. How noisy they were as they
waited in the schoolyard for the bell
to ring! l stood by the dOorslde look
Ing very foolish. l dare say, for
knew not what to do with myself. My
legs encased in the tow breeches felt
as If they were on fire. | saw that
most of the village boys wore bought
en- clothes and fine boots. looked
down at my own leather and was a
tower Of shame on a foundation of
creased cowhde. Sally Dunkelberg
came in with some other girls and pre-
tended not to see me. That was the
hardest blow l suffered.
Among the handsome, Well-dreSsed
boys of the village was Henry Wills
the boy who had stolen my water
melon. l had never forgiven him for
that or for the killing of my little hen.
The bell rang and we marched into
the big room. while fat girl with
crinkly hair played on a melodeOn.
Henry and another boy tried to shove
me out of line and big paper wad
struck the side of my head as we were
marching in and after we were seated
cross-eyed, freckled girl in a red
dress made a face at me.
1t was, on the whole, the unhappiest
day of my life. During recess 1 |
slapped a boys face for calling me a
rabbit and the two others who came
to help him went away full of fear
and establishment, for / had the
strength of a young moose in me those
days After that they began to make .
friends with me.
In the noon hour a man came to me
in he schoOlyard with subpoena for
the examination of Amos Grimshaw
and explained its meaning.
While l was talking with this man