Page 48 - A Hero of Ticonderoga

"Well, ’Rastus Graves ’ould ha’ settled his debts if he’d ha’ lived. But he
died afore his back got healed over, and afore he died he turned the job over

to his brother, that’s me, Silas Toombs, or Graves--they’re the same in the
end."

Ruth stared at him in dumb amazement and horror, while he proceeded,
pouring forth his long concealed wrath.

"Well, I’ve got Seth Beeman’s wife, and, what’s wuth more, his farm, an’ his

childern right ’nunder my thumb. I hope he knows on’t. And now, ma’am,"
lowering his voice from its passionate exultation, "you don’t want to
breathe a word o’ this to your nice neighbors or to your young ’uns. It

wouldn’t do no good and it might be unpleasant all round. You don’t want
folks to know what a fool you be."

After this disclosure, Ruth lived, in weariness and vain regret, a life that
seemed quite hopeless but for looking forward to the time when her son

could assert his rights and be her champion. Her nature was one of those
that still bend, without being broken, by whatever weight is laid on them.