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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 1876)
Worse than War, Worse than Pestilence. 15 l n ,i u thnn liitltcrto for his pust conduct, ami a still greater dotonninatioii to investigate the niuUcr, as ho quickened his steps toward the ofllec of Mr. Sykcs. From liim, however, he could gain little en courugement. , The superintendent us. aured Mr. Bonnet only of the high char acter of the boys previous to their arrest, but he was not now disposed to give ere dence to any supposition of their inno cence. The remainder of the day was spent by Mr. Bonnet in prosecuting his inquiries in the village, but without success, lie returned to the hotel at night, despondent but not yet discouraged. The next morn ing he decided to visit Moultonborough and there find out what information he could. Upon inquiring of the landlord for a conveyance, lie was informed that a young man of Moultonborough was about to re turn home tint morning, and that he could go with him in his wagon as well as not. Mr. Bonnet accordingly reached bis destination in this manner. His companion on the journey was about eighteen years of age, ill-featured and taciturn. lie claimed to be in the employ of a Mr. Rogers for whom he frc qucntly made journeys to Meredith. lie also said that ho would return in the even ing, and that Mr. Bonnet could go with him if he wished. To this the latter as sented. It was not, however, until the old man bud succeeded in engaging him in conver sation regarding Richard and Stephen that his reserved demeanor relaxed, lie seemed to bo perfectly familiar with the trial and its history, but the tenor of his narrative was all along intended to im press upon the mind of his hearer a be. lief in their guilt. Ho was particularly communicative in regard to the robberies in Moultonborough. While he was speak ing of them, a thought suddenly occurred to Mi. Benuet, and he at once acted upon it. ''Who and what is this young man, in the employ of Mr. Garnet! V" he inquired "His name is Daniel Johnson," replied liia now garrulous companion. "Ho came to Moultonborough from near Boston Cambridge, I think, about four months ago. lie came with recommendations from parties there, and after doing odd jobs for about a week, Mr. Qarnctt hired him. lie is a very likely young fellow, honest, industrious and quiet, and Mr. Garnett well, indeed, all around here like him very well." "It has been whispered about that he wasn't just what he ought to bo; that he was a wild, worthless fellow, and all that sort of a thing. They say, though, that ho reformed a whilo before ho left there, but not meeting with much encour agement from his old friends, he thought he'd leave, and go where lie wasn't known, and live honestly. X. Y. Z. (tu'liu continued.) Worse than War, Worse "than Pestilence. 11Y CHAPTER IV, (concluded.) ',lt is probably some one desiring the advice or influence of Mr. Shcrwiu," said Mrs. Shcrwiu. "But I wish they would not call at this time of night. As to that, I wish they would not call at all. Many seem to think that preachers; outside of their Sunday labors, have nothing else to do but attend to the worldly wants of the people. Last week, Mr. Sherwin locked himself up in his study and ordered Bet sey to tell ull strangers who culled that ho was not able to receive them. The plan, I believe, was a good one. Do you not think, Mr. Brattleton, that his sermons lust Sunday were an improvement on some of his previous onesV" "They wore most excellent," replied Mr. B., though he had just severely criti cised them at the supper table. " It always docs my heart good to aid the unfortunate on the weary road of life," said Mr. Shcrwiu, with a sly and repri manding glance at Mrs. Sherwin. " Faith, hope and charity aro the glories of Chris- mm