Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-04-06

the room. The WaShDOWl, with two
long singing books across it, she dis
covered to her horror, was serving as
a prison for a small green snake. The
Bible and the remaining hymn books,
topped by Bakers Saints Rest"
lay In a suSpicious-looking pile on the
floor. Under these Miss Wetherby did
not look. After her experience with
the snake and the wash bowl, her
nerves were not strong enough. She
Fecoiled In .diSmay, also, from the
sight Of two yellow, paper-covered
books on the table, Haunting shame
lessly the titles: Jack the Pirate of
Red Island" and Haunted by
HeadleSs Ghost"
Ann Wetherby never forgot that
Fourth of July, nor for that matter,
the days that Immediately followed.
She went about with both ears stuffed
with cotton, and eyes that were ever
on the alert for all manner of creep
ing, crawling things in which Bobby's
soul delighted.
The boy, reinforced by the children
Of the entire neighborhood, held a cir
Gus in Miss Wetherby's woodshed, and
instituted a Wild Indian camp in her
attic. The poor woman was quite
poWerleSS, and demonstrated all in
vain. The boy was so cheerfully good
tempered under her sharpest words
that the victory was easily his.
P1If Got h., VA
by, returning from a neighbours, found
two cats, four dogs, and two toads
tied to her parlOr chairs, together
with three cages containing reSpec-
lively a canary, a parrot, and a squir-
rel COLLECTED from obligiHg house
holds), she rebelled in earnest and
summoned Bobby to her side.
Robert, I've stood all I'm a-goin'
ter. You've got to go home Monday.
Do you hear"
"Oh, come off, Miss Wetherby, faint
only a menag'ry, an you don't use
the room none"
Miss Wetherby's mouth worked con-
vulsively.
INVbOI I clIt Sboptu, dts SOOll DIS
she could find her voice. 81 never new
er heard of such dreadful goins-on
You certainly can't stay here no long
er," she continued sternly.
An hour later, Miss Wetherby had
caller 1t was the ChOrister of her
church choir. The man sat down gin
gerly on one Of the slippery haircloth
chairs, and proceeded at once to state
his business.
II understand, Miss Wetherby, that
you have an-er-young singer with
you"
Miss Wetherby choked, and STAN
mpred YES"
He sings-er-very well, doesn't
hep"
The woman was still more viSibly
embarrassed.
II don't know" she murmGred;
then in stronger tones, The one that
looked like him did"
Are there two?" he asked in stupid
amazement
Miss Wetherhy laughed uneasiLy,
then she sighed
well, ter tell the truth, Mr.. Wig
gins | S-pOSe there amt; but some
times | think there must be. I'll send
Robert down ter the rehearsal tonight
and you can see what We can do with
him." And with this Mr.. Virgins was
forced 90 be content.
prI,h,- hn
church was full to the doors. Bobby
was already famous in the village
The witChery Of the glorious voice
entered again into the WOman'S soul
and indeed, sent the entire cOngrega-
ton home in an awed silence that
was the height of admiring homage.
At breakfast time Monday morning,
Bobby came downstairs with his
brown paper parcel under his arm.
Ann glanced at his wOeful face, then
went out into the kitchen and slammed
the oven door sharply.
"Well, marin, I've had bully time
--sure's a gun" said the boy wistfully,
following her.
Robert" she began with assumed
sternless, trying to hide her depth of
feeling, "y0u amt a-goin' home ter
day-now mind what | say! Take
them things upstairs. Quick-break-
fnst's all ready
A great light transfgsred Bobby's
face. He tossed his bundle into a cor
ner and fell upon Miss Wetherby with
a bcarlike hug
"Gee-whiz! marm-but yer a brick
An III run yer errands an split yer
wood, an | won't take no dogs an
cats in the paror an I'll do ev'rythn'
-ev'rythin' We want me to! Oh. golly
-golly I'm goin' ter stay-Tm goin'
ter stay-I'm goin' ter stay!" And
Bobby danced out of the house into
the yard there to turn somersault after
| somerSaut in hilarious glee.
A queer choking feeling came into
| Ann Wetherby's throat. She seemed
stlIl go feel the loving clasp of those
small young arms.
And Bobby stayed-nOt only Mon
| day, but through four other long days
days which he filled to the brim with