Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-02-12
The Spirit Of Michael Henry and
Others.

The Spirit Of Michael Henry and
Z Others.
At the examination of Amos Grim.
shaw my knowledge was committed to
the records and ceased to be q source
Of danger to me. Grimshaw came %
The village that day. On my way to
the courtroom saw him walking
slowly. with bent head az had seen
him before. followed BY old Kate. She
carried her staff In her left hand while
the forefinger Of her right hand was
pointing him out Silent as ghost
and ~ unheeded-one would say-she
followed his steps.
front seat with her hand to her ear
and Grimshaw beside his lawyer at a
big table and that when she looked at
him her lips moved In q strange IN
uttered whisper Of her spirit. Her
face filed with Joy as one damning
detail after another came out In the
evidence.
The facts hereinbefore alleged. and
others. were proved. for the tracks at.
ted the shoes az Amos. The young
man was held and presently indicted.
The time Of his trial was not deter
mined.
wrote a good hand those days and
the leading merchant Of the village
engaged me to post his books every
Saturday at ten cents an hour. Thence
forward until Christmas I gave my
free days to that task. I estimated
the sum that I should earn and
planned to divide 1t In equal parts and
proudly present It to my aunt and
uncle on Christmas day.
One Saturday while l was at work
on the big ledger Of the merchant /
ran upon this item:
October as. wr1Sht-To one suit
OF clothes for Michael Henry from
measures Furnished by o. Robin
son .......... .................. va. "
Shirts to match ................."..'... l."
knew then the history Of the suit
of clothes which had worn since that
rainy October night, for remembered
that Sam Robinson. the tailor, had
measured me at our house and made
up the cloth Of Aunt Deel's weaving.
I observed, also, that numerous ar
ticles-a load Of wood, two sacks OF
-four, three pairs Of boots. one coat.
ten pounds Of salt pork and four
bushels Of potatoes-all for Michael
Henry"-had been charged to silas
Wright.
50 BY the mersst chance learned
that the invisible michael Henry" was
the almoner of the modest statesman
and really the spirit Of Silas Wright
feeding the hungry and clothing the
naked and warming the cold house.
in the absence OF its owner. II was
the heart Of Wright Joined to that Of
the schoolmaster. which sat In the
green chair.
fear that my work suffered q mo-
Inent's interruption, for Just then ]
began to know the great heart Of the
senator. Its warmth was in the cloth
ing that covered my back, Its delieacy
In the ignorance Of those who had
shared its bsnefactions.
I count this one Of the great events
OF my youth. But there was 4 greater
one. although 1t seemed not 80 at the
time Of It A traveller on the road to
Ballybeen had dropped his pocketbook
containing large amount Of money
S2,7OO was the sum. II remember
rightly. He was q man who, being
justly suspicious Of the banks. had
withdrawn his money. Posters an
nounced the loss and the offer Of q
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 I'M
successful. So the lost pocketbook
became a treasured mystery of the
village and Of all the hills and val.
leys toward Ballybeen-a topic Of old
wives and Cabling husbands 1t 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.
had enjoyed my work and my life at
the Jackets, on the whole, but was
glad to be going homo again. Ny
uncle was In high spirits and there
were many PACKAGES In the sleigh.
"A merry Christmas to ye both an
may the Lord love vel" said Mr..
Hacket as he babe rs goodby. "Every
day our thoughts will bs going up the
hills 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 happen1' asked.
II settled with Grimsbaw and agresd
to 60. II II hadn't q been for Wright
and Baldwin we wouldn't a. got .
cent. They threatened to bid against
him at the sale. So he settled. We'rs
goin' to have q new home. We've
bought Q hundred an nifty acres from
Abe Leonard. Coin to build Z new
house in the spring. It will bs nearer
the village"
he playfully nudged my ribs With
his elbow.
We've had q little good luck, Bart"
he went on. ''I'll tell ye what It Is II
you won't nv anything about Il"
promised.