The Fourth Watch

ath of

tiful Walden pool. The truth of this saying was certainly verified in old Billy Fletcher's death, and the people of Glendow we

d stirred the crisp air, and the sun-kissed snow lying smooth

ked face could not disguise the gentle, refined spirit within, which expressed itself in her every word and action. Two little graves in the Churchyard, lying side by side, and marked by a small c

ster more sympathetic than dear Nellie. They loved our little ones as if they were their very own. On that bright summer da

interest to the lonely two over the way. So on this bright afternoon as Mrs. Lar

ise to find there a woman, with an old-fashioned shawl about her should

you for such a long time! Come in at once, and lay off your wraps, whil

sez to me, 'Mother,' sez he, 'ye jist put on yer duds, an' go along, too. It'll do ye a world o' good.' I hated to leave John, poor soul, he's so poorly. But I couldn't res

his death, then?"

r I heerd Tom Flinders an' Pete Robie talkin' about it. Why, it was awful! An' to think the dear old parson was thar all a

upon me. 'He likes jobs of that nater.' I don't know what in the

ewhat slow reply. "

d down her cup, and brought forth the knitti

his nephew's house, and then assisted the others in putting out

ay so! Well

all, but could find no trace of it. That's what's troubli

aid down her knitting. "Wot the parson has to

much excited. He swore like a trooper, declared that there had been foul play, and hinted that the parson had something to do

icken. Ye could take a thousand hearts sich as his'n an' stick 'em all to the wall with one tiny pin, an' then they wouldn't be half way up to the head. Mean! Why didn't he once put a twenty-five cent piece inter the kerlection plate by

ry revengeful, too, and has an old grudge to pay back. The parson, you know, was the means of making him close up his liquor business some years ago, and he has been waiting ever since for a chance to hit back. I tel

than ever. "It was only last night I was talkin' to my man John about this very thing.

l,' s

ne was loaded down with apples, wh

mber,"

' stones all summer, an' even hed some of its branch

enty of good frui

use they're loaded down with good deeds. If they never did nuthin' the devil 'ud leave 'em alone, but jist 'cause they b

parson," replied Mrs. Larkins. "I know some will, but there are

'im, Mrs. Larkins? Wot hev t

ile, but sat gazing out of the windo

hilip," Mrs. Larkins at length repli

ms, too. He was a sweet lamb, that's wot he was. I understan' he's a minin' i

me ago, Mrs. Stic

it was la

s that Philip'

in horror. "I was afeered of it, Mrs. Larkins. It's no place fer man or beast out thar. Hev

d age. The whole of this he gave to Philip to be invested. For a time things looked very bright and it seemed as if the mines would produce handsome profits. Unfortunately several claimants for the property suddenly turned up, with the result that the whole affair is now in litigation. The case is to be decided in a few mont

outside. "Well, I declare!" she exclaimed, "Sammy's back alread

uch nobleness, gentleness and dignity of his face and bearing, only the most suspicious could associate him with any underhanded dealing. What connection had such a man with the base things of life? Mounting the pulpit, he gave a short,

as they wended their way to the graveyard. "He didn't put poor Billy in Heaven, t

rson got his say from the pulpit, hut

t have th

you'l

t tha

es

hey haven't a leg to s

nothing when once he gets started, and though he may not be able to do anything

mad, and hardly spoke in passing. Another related that when Tom Fletcher asked Billy about the box, the dying man pointed to the parson, and tried to speak. Though some of the more sensibl

, it did not for a time reach the Rectory. All unconscious of impending trou