Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1919-06-27
IRVINE HAEHELLER
CHAPTER xl--continued.
AUTHOR o.
eseN HOLDEN. pRi AND pARREL or THE BLESSED ElES
KEEPING Up With LIZZIE. ETC. ETC


count this one of the great events
Of my youth. But there was a greater
one, although It seemed not so at the
time of 1t. A traveller on the road to
Ballybeen had dropped his pocketbook
containing large amount of money
f2,700 was the sum, IL remember
rightly. He was q man who. being
withdrawn his money.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 weS. 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 q treasured mystery of the
village and of all the hills and val
ieys toward Ballybeen-a topic of old
wives and Cabling 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.
had enjoyed my work and my life at
the Jackets. 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 thu Lord love vel" said Mr..
Hacket MS he babe us goodby. "Every
day our thoughts will be 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 happen2" asked.
II settled with Grimshaw and agreed
to 60. II 1t hadn't "a been for Wright
and Baldwin wo 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 q new
house In the spring. 1t will be nearer
the village"
He playfully nudged my ribs with
his elbow.
"Wa've had little good luck, Bart"
he went on. s.Tll tell ye what 1t is II
you won't say anything about It"
promised.
II dunno as It would matter much"
ne continued. Abut don't want to do
any braggin'. 1t amt 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 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 ever see before
In my life. We put it In the bank in
Potsdam to keep 1t out o. Grimshaw's
hands. wouldn't trust that man as
fur as you could throw bull by the
TAIL"
It was q cold, clear night, and when
we reached home the new stove was
swapping with the heat In Its f1rebox
and the pudding putting 10 the pot
and old Shep dreaming In the chimney
cOrntr. Aunt Deel gave me hug at
the door. Shep parked and leaped to
my shoulders
"Why. Barti You're CROWN like
weed~-ain't yef-ayes ye be-" my
aunt said as she stood and looked at
me. "Set right down here an warm
ye-ayesi--Tve done all the chores
ayesf"
How warm and comfortable was the
dear old room with those beloved faces
IN u. I wonder tf paradise itself can
seem more pleasant to me. i shave had
the best food this world can provide.
In my. Aime. but never anything that
i ate with a 1keeaer relish than the
pudding and milk and bread and but
ter and cheese and pumpkin pie which
Aunt Deei gave rs that night.
Supper over. wiped the dishes for
my cunt while Uucie Peabody went
out b feed and water the horses. Then
we sat down 10 the genial warmth
while l told the story Of my life In
''the busy town. as they called It.
What pride and attention they gave
ane the01
Ny fine clothes and the story Of how
had come by them taxed my inge-
nuity somewhat although not insprop-
eriy. l had to be careful not 10 let
them know that had been ashamed
OF the homemade suit. They somehow
felt the truth about 1t and little
silence followed the story. Then Aunt
Deel drew her chair near me and
touched my hair very gently and
looked into my face without speaking.
@Ayesi 1 know" she said presently.
n kind Of caressing tone, with
eDuch Of sadness In 1t. ssThey amt
osed b c0arse homespun stuff down
there 10 the village. They made fun
y re- didn't theys, Bartr'
II donst care neb0nt that / assured