nd a number of volunteer constables, went off after George
Mason, to bring him to justice.

It was more than a week before they found him, and it is probable that
they would not have captured him at all, had he not persisted in staying
in the neighborhood, so as to be on hand with his axe, in case the line
should be repaired.

"It's all along of my tellin' him that that line was got up by them
Loudon children," said Cousin Maria. "He hates Mr. Loudon worse than
pisen, because he was the man that found out all his tricks."

Mason was taken to the court-house and locked up in the jail. Almost all
the people of the county, and some people belonging to adjoining
counties, made up their minds to be at the court-house when his trial
should take place.

On the second night of his imprisonment, George Mason forced open a
window of his cell and went away. And what was more, he staid away. He
had no desire to be at the court-house when his trial took place.

No one felt more profound satisfaction when George Mason left the
country, and the telegraph line was once more in working order, than
Harry and Kate.

They had an idea that if George Mason, should persist in cutting the
telegraph line, the Mica Company would give it up, and that they might
be called upon to refund the money on which Aunt Matilda depended for
support. They had been told that they need not trouble themselves about
this, as the Mica Company had taken all risks; but still they were
delighted when they heard that George Mason had cleared out, and that
there was every reason to suppose that he would not come back.

CHAPTER XXXII.

AUNT MATILDA'S LETTER.

One afternoon, about the end of October, Aunt Matilda was sitting in her
big straight-backed chair, on one side of her fireplace. There was a
wood fire blazing on the hearth, for the days were getting cool and the
old woman liked to be warm. On the other side of the fireplace sat Uncle
Braddock. Sitting on the floor, between the two, were John William
Webster and Dick Ford. In the doorway stood Gregory Montague. He was not
on very good terms with Aunt Matilda, and was rather afraid to come in
all the way. On the bed sat Aunt Judy.

It must not be supposed that Aunt Matilda was giving a party. Nothing of
the kind. These colored people were not very much engrossed with
business at this time of the year, and as it was not far from
supper-time, and as they all happened to be near Aunt Matilda's cab