The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-04-10
CHAPTER xI-continued.


Of my youth. But there was a greater
one, although it seemed not so at the
time of it. A traveller on the road to
Ballybeen had dropped his pocketbook
containing a large amount of money
$2,700 was the sum, If l 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withdrawn his money.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-
f0undly 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 IN
successful. So the lost pOcketbOok
became a treasured mystery OF the
village and of all the hills and val
1eys toward Ballybeen-a topic of old
wives and gabbling husbands at the
Preside for unnumbered years.
By and by the fall term OF school
ended. Uncle Peabody came down to
get me the day before Christmas. 1
had enjoyed my work and my life at
the Jackets, on the whole, but I 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 YER said Mr.
Hacket as he babe US goodby. Every
day our thoughts will be going up the
bills TO your house"
The bells rang merrfIy as we hur-
rfed 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?' I asked.
81 settled with Grimshaw and agreed
to go. If it 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 a 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 playfully nudged my ribs with
his elbow.
"We've had a little good luck, Bart"
he went on. "TH tell We what it is If
you won't say anything about it,
l promised.
II dunno as it would matter much"
ne continued, "but I don't want to do
any braggin'. 1t aIn't anybody's bust
ness, anyway. An old uncle over In
Vermont died three weeks ago and
left us thirty-eight hundred dollars.
1T was old Uncle Ezra Baynes o.
Hinesburg. Died without a chick or
child. Your aunt and me slipped down
to Potsdam an took the stage an
went over an got the money. 1t was
more money than 1 ever see before
in my life. We put It In the bank in
Potsdam to keep 1t out O. Grimshaw's
hands. I wouldn't trust that man as
fur as you could throw a bull by the
tail"
Z It vas a cold, clear night, and when
we reached home the new stove was
swapping with the heat in its frebox
and the pudding putting In the pot
and old Shep dreaming in the chimney
corner. Aunt Deel gave me a hug at
the door, Shep barked and leaped to
my shoulders.
"Why. Bart! You're CROWN like a
weed-ain't ye7-ayes We be-" my
aunt said as she stood and looked at
ne. "Set right down here an warm
ye-ayes I've done all the chores
asesF'
How warm and comfortable was the
dear old room with those beloved faces
in 1t. I 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
I 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, I 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 1 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. I had to be careful not to let
them know that I had been ashamed
Of the homemade suit. They somehow
felt the truth about 1t and q little
silence followed the story. Then Aun
Deel drew her chair near me anC
touched my hair very gently ant
looked into my face without speaking
ayes! know" she said presently
in a kind of caressing tone. with {
touch Of sadness in It. 'AThey aim
used to coarse homespun stuff dow
there In the village They made fun
n Y0-didn't they Bart %
ST don't care about that" I assures
them. The minds the measure o
the man." quoted. remembering tn,
lines the Senator had repeated to me
That's sound :" Uncle Peabody ex
claimed with enthusiasm.
Aunt Deel took my hand In hers AM
surveyed it thoughtfully for momen
without speaking.
'sYou amt goin' to have to suffe
that way no more she said in loy
tone. We're goin' to be more comfts
bie-ayes. Yer uncle thought we bette
go West. but couldn't bear to go Of
so FUR an leave mother an father az
sister Susan an all the folks we love
Iayin' here in the grouRd alone
-, ~ - ;.