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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1938-09-15, Page 6PAGE SIX. THE SEAFORTH NEWS THURSDAY, SEPT. 15, 1938 The Little Orphan MilielIPMEMIERIMMINIMMISSEVIEMIRI rinammotenamenumminnumgma boats of Uncle 51 ripping the 'briars. Then wecane into the. blackness of the thick timber and I could hear him feeling his way over the dead leaves with his carie. I got down, shortly, and walked 'beside him, hold- ing on to the rifle with one hand. We stdnrbled, often, and were long in the trail 'before we could see the moon- light thnoagh the ee tree cal umns. In the clearing I climbed to my seat again and by and by we carne to the 'road where my companion sat down resting his load on a ,boulder, "Pretty hot, 'Miele 'Eb, pretty hot," he said to himself" fanning his brow with that old felt hat he wore every- where, "'Weve come three mile er more without a stop an' I guess .we'd better rest a jiffy." My legs ached too, and 'I was get- ting very sleepy. I remember the jolt of the basket as he rose, and 'bearing him say, "Well, Uncle Eb, I guess we'd 'better 'be •goin';' The elbow that held 'my head, ly- ing on the rim of the basket, was al- ready numb; but the prickling could no •longer rouse me, and hall -dead with weariness, I fell asleep. Uncle E'b has told me since, that I tumbled Ont of the 'basket once, and that he had a ',time of ,it getting me in again, but I remember nothing more of that day's history. When I woke in the morning, I could hear the crackling of fire, and felt very warm and cosy wrapped in the 'big shawl. I got a cheery greet- ing from Uncle Eb, who was feeding the fire with a big heap of sticks that he had piled together, Old Fred was licking my Bands with his rough ton- gue, and I suppose that is what wak- ed tnc. Tea was steeping in the little pot that !rung oser the fire, and our breakfast of boiled egigs and bread and butter 'lay an a paper ,beside it. I remember well the scene of our lit- tle camp that morning. We had 'come to a strange country, and there was uo road itt sight, A wooded hill lay back of us, and, just before, ran a noisy little brook, win -cling 'between. smooth banks, through a long pasture into a dense wood. Behind a wall on the opposite shore a great field of rustling corn filled a broad valley and stood higher than a man's head. While .I went to wash my face in the clear water 'Uncle lib was husk- ing .sonic ears of corn that he took out of his pocket and had them roast- ing over the fire in a moment. We ate heartily giving Fred ttv,, big slices of hreacl and butter, packing up with enough remaining for another clay. Breakfast over we doused the fire and Uncle lb put on his basket. He made after a egairrel, presently, with all Fred, and brought him down out of a tree by hnrliug stones at hint and then the faithful follower of our camp got a bit 'of meat for his breakfast. 'We climbed the wall, as he ate, and buried ourselves in the deep corn. The fragrant. silky tassels ,brushed my face and the corn hissed at our intru- sion, crossing its green sabres in ear path, Far in the field my companion heaped a little of the soft earth for a pillow, spread the oil cloth 'between rows and, as we lay down, drew the big draw] over us. 'Uncle Eb was tired after the toil of that night and went asleep almost as loan as he was down. Before I dropped off Fred cadre and licked my face and stepped over me, his tail wagging for leave, and curled upon the shawl at my feet. I could see no sky in that gloomy' green aisle of corn. This going to bed in the morning seemed a foolish busi- ness to cmc that day and I lay a long time looking up at the rustling cano- py overhead. I remember listening to the waves that came whispering out of the further field, nearer and nearer, until they stcept over us with a roar, ing awash of leaves, like that of wa- ter 'flooding among rocks, as I have heard it often. A twinge of homesick- ness cadre to me and the snoring of Uncle Eb gave me no comfort. I re- member covering my head and crying softly as '1 thought of those who had gone away and whom I was to meet in a far countrry, called Heaven, whi- ther we were going. I forgot my sot - row, finally, in sleep. When I awoke it had grown dusk -under the corn. I felt for 'Uncle Eb and he was gone. Then I called to him. "Hush, boyl lie 'bow," he whispered, bending over inc, a sharp look in his eye. "lFraid they're after .us." He sat -kneeling beside me, holding Fred by the collar and listening, I could hear voices, the rustle of the corn and the tramp of feet near 'by. It was thundering in the distance—that heavy, shaking thtandert that seems to take hold of the earth, and there were sounds in the cam like the drawing of sabres and the rush of many .feet, The noisy thunder clouds came near- er and the voices that had made us tremble were no longer heard. Uncle Eb 'began to fasten the oil blanket to the stalks of corn for a shelter, The rain came roaring over us. The sound of it was like that mf a host of cavalry conning at a gallop. We lay bracing the stalks, the blanket tied above us and were quite dry for a -time, The rain rattled in the sounding sheaves .01 all the people that ever went,gan playing we children had to get well out of the way, and keep our die- tame, I remember now the look of hint, then—his thin face, his soft black eyes, his long nose, the. suit of broadcloth, the stock and standing collar and, above all, the solemnity in his manner when that big devil of a thing was leaning on his breast. As to his playing d have never heard a more fearful sound in any time of peace or one less ,creditable to a Christian. Week -days he was ad- dicted to the milder sin of the flute and, after chores, ii there were no one to tack with him, he -would sit long and pour his soul into that magic bar of 'boxwood. Uncle lee had another great accom- plishment. He was what they call in the north country "a natural cooper•" After nightfall, when the corn wars west that expedition was the most remarkable. A small bay in a big basket on the back .of a jolly old man, who carried a cane in one hand, a rifle in the other; a :black dog serv- ing as scout, skirmisher and -rear guard—that was the size of it. They were the survivors of a ruined 'home in the north of Vermont, and were traveling far into the valley of the St. Lawrence, 'bet with no particular destination. Midsenttiter had passed them in their journey; their c]cthee were cov- ered with dust: their faces browning in the hot sun. it was a very small boy that sat 'inside the beeket and clung to the rim, hie tow head :raking as the old man walked. He sate wonder- ful things, day after day, looking. dawn at the .green ileitis or peering into the gloomy reaches of the :wood; ripening, he spoke in a whisper and and he talked ahem them, '.tad his oar cocked for coons. Bttt he loved all kinds of good fun. So this man had a boy in his heart and a 'boy in his 'basket that evening we left the old !rouse. My father and mother and older 'brother lied been drowned in the lake, where they had gone for a day of pleasure. I bad then a small understanding of my lease, but I have learned since that the farm was not .eart!i the mortgage and that everything had to be sold. I'ncle 51 and I ---a little lad, a very little lad of six --were all that was cert of what had been in that house. Sonte were for sending me to the county house; !tut they decided, finally, to tarn me over to a dissolute uncle, with some :allowance for my keep. Therein Uncle Eb was to he reckoned with. He had set his heart on keepiug me, bat he was a farm hand without any Ilona,. or visible property and not, therefore, in the mind of the authori- tiee. a proper at -median, Ile had me with him in the old ,house, and the very night he heard they were canting after the in the morning. We started on our journey. I -remember he was a long time tying packages of bread and 'butter and tea and boiled eggs to the rim of the 'basket, so that they hung on the outside. Then he put a woolen shawl and an oilcloth 'blanket on the bottom, pulled the straps over his shoulders and 'buckled then,, standing before the looking - glass, and. haring put on my cap and coat, stood the on the table, and stooped so that I could climb into the basket—a pack basket, that he had used in hunting, the tctp a little smaller than the bottom. Once in, I coeld stand comfortably or sit facing eideways, hack and knees wedged from port to starboard, With nee in my place be blew out the lantern and groped his way to the road, his, cane in one hand, his rifle in the other. Fred, our did clog—a black shepherd, with tawny points—came after us. 'Uncle Eb scolded him and tried to send hint back, but I plead for the poor crea- ture and that settled it; he was one of our party. 'Minna how we'll feed hitn," said Uncle ‘Eb. "Our ' own mouths are big enough t' take all we can carry, but 1 hain no heart t' leave 'im all 'lone there," I was old for my age, they tell rte, and had a serious look and a wise way of talking, for a boy so young; but I had no notion of what lay 'be- fore or behind as. "Now, boy, take a good look at the old house," 'I remember he whispered to me at the gate that night. "Taint likely yell ever see it ag'in. .Keep quiet now," he added, letting down the bars at the foot of the lane. "We're goin' west an' we mustn't let the grass grow under us. Got t' be purty spry I can tell ye." It was quite dark and he felt his way carefully down the row paths into the broad pasture. With every step I kept a sharp lookout Inc swifts, and the moon shone after awhile, making nty work easier. I had to hold nay head down, pre - and•, -then came .flooding down the or twice, !lett not for long. The fire ,Steep gutters., Above •us !beam and raf- wasgone down to a few embers 'when er -creaked, swayi» g, and showing Uncle E'b wake the and the igr�otto glimpses of the ,dant sky. The rain was lit only iby a sprtnlsle of moom- passed—'we could hear the :last 'bat- light front above, talion leaving the. ,field -and then the "Mos' ,twelve o'clock," he whisper tumult ended as suddenly as it, began. ed, "B'e'tter be off," The corn trembled a few moment and hushed, to a faint whisper. (Then we could hear ,only the ;drip of rain drops leaking 'through the green roof. It was dark under the •coria, • ' CH'APT'ER II We heard no more of the voices. Uncle E'b had 'brought an armful of met, wood, and some water in the tea P , while 'I was sleeping. As soon as the rain had passed be stood listening awhile and shortly opened his' knife and made a little clearing in the corn by cutting a few ,hills. "We've got to do it," he said, "'er we can't take any comfort,• an' the man tot' die I could have all the corn I wanted." "Did you see him, Uncle ,Eb?" I re- member asking, "Yes," be answered, whittling in the dark, "I saw him when I went out for the water an' it was he tor nee they were after ,us." He took a look at the sky after a while, and, remarking that he guess- ed they couldn't see his smoke now, began to kindle the fire• As it burned up he stuck two crotches and hung- his ungiris tea pot on a stick, that lay in then, so it took the heat of the flame, as I -had seen hien do in the morning. Our grotto,,in'the corn, was shortly as cheerful as any room in J. palace, and aur fire sent its li ght into the long aisles that opened opposite, and nobody could see the warm glow of it but ourselves. "\\te',ll hev our supper," said Uncle Eb, as he opened a, paper and spread out the eggs and bread and 'butter and crackers. "W'e'll 'jest hey our supper an' by 'n by when everyone's abed we'll snake tracks in the dirt, I can tell ye," Our supper over, ,Uncle Eb let me look at his tobacco-box—a shiny thing of German silver that always seemed to snap out a quick farewell to me Be- it dove into his pocket. He was very cheerful and communicative, and jok- ed a good deal as we lay there wait4 ing in the fire light, I got some fur- ther acquaintance with the swift, learning aftong other things that it had no appetite for the pure in heart. "Why not?" I inquired. 'Well,"said Uncle Eb, "it's like this; the meaner the boy, tate sweeter the meat." He sang an old song as he sat by the fire, with a whistled interlude 'be - tureen lines, and the swing of it, even now, carries me hack to that far .clay in the fields. I lay with my head in his lap while he was 'singing. Year after, when I could have carried hint on my 'back, he wrote down Inc ane the words of the old song. Here they are. about as he sang them, although there are evidences of repair, in certain lines, to supply the loss of phrases that had dropped from his mentor),: "Uncle Eb—is that where the swifts -are " he wru;d. ask often: and the old man would newer. 'tXo: they ain't 'real ease: te'e time . year. They lay 'rrntnd ...e neer, dirgelee every day." Then the smell eei.e -'.timid sing idly or prattle r,;t'i en:rat:.ging y 'te- Inc that had a habit -.: reite= ever the edge of the basket or .. rota a greeting to some ...,c ,fly and ask finally: • "Tired. Uncle El;?" Sometimes the c 1 eereeterer •voleel say "tot very." and keep ee. '.00'sin, thoughtfully a groune. Then, again, he ti;,_op his, - hall head with a rat.* ree .:andker- chief and say, a ...t.e tremor of irrita- tion in his elce: "Tired! who wouldn't .be that; eete a big elephant like you on bis beck ;.): ley I'd be 'shamed o' myself t' there an' let an nld man carry me from 'Iran to Beersheba. Git out now to ehake yer legs," I was the small boy end I remem- ber it was always a. areal relief to get out of the basket, and having run ahead, to lie in the grass among the wild flowers, and jump up at him as he came along. Uncle Eb had been working for my father five years hefcre 1 was born, He was not a strong man and had never been able to carry the wide swath of the other help in the fields, but we all loved him fir his kindness- and indnessand his knack of scary -telling. He was a 'bachelor who ,came over the mountain front Plea., -ant Valley, a lit- tle 'bundle of clothes on itis shoulder, and bringing a name that enriched the nomenclature cf c,t. neighbor- hood, It was Eben Holden. He had a cheerful temrer and an imagination that wan a very wilder- ness of oddities. Bears and panthers growled and were very terrible in that strange country. He -had invent- ed an animal more treacherous than any in the woods, and he called it a swift. "Sumthin ' like a panther," he described the look of it—a fearsome 'creature that lay in the edge ai the woods at sundown and made a noise like a woman ,crying, to lure the un- wary, It would light one's eye with fear to hear Uncle Eb lift his voice in the cry of the swift. Many a time in the twilight when the bay of a hound or some far cry came faintly through the wooded ,hills, I have •seen him lift his hand and bid us hark. And when we had listened a moment, our eyes wide with wonder, he would turn and say in a low, half whispered tone: "'S a swift." I suppose we needed more the fear of God, but the young children of the pioneer needed also the fear of. the woods or they would have strayed to their death itt them. A big bass vial, taller than' himself, had long been the solace of his Sun- daye. After he had shaved—a eere- mofly so solemn that it seemed a rite of his religion—that sacred viol was uncovered, He ,carried it some- times - to the 'back piazza and some- times 'to the barn, where the horsee shank and 'trembled at the . roaringsorrily, when ]lie tall `brush began to thunder of the strings. When he `,be whip the :basket and •I heard the big The baalet'was on his 'back, and 'he. Was all ready. I foll'oived'him through the long aisle of corn, clinging to the tai•] of his coat, The golden lantern of the moon hong 'near the • zenith and 'Oen :we came oat 'in the open' we bouid see into -the far fields, 'I climb ed into myelettecet at the. wall and as carried tbrook, 'Uncle Eb ca e'd rreover the stopping on a flat 'rack midway to take a drink, I could see, the sky in the water, and it seemed as if a mis- step wontl'd have tumbled me into the moaar• "Hear the crickets holler," said Uncle 'Eb, es he followed the ,bank ap into the open pasture. 'What stakes 'eel holler?" I asked.. "O, they're jes filiu' their saws an' thinkiu', Meb'be tepid' o' what's hap pelted 'em. Been a haed tela), fer them little folks, Terrible 'flood itt their country. Every one on em ltcd t' git tap .a steeple 'quick's 'he cau'ld er elrawnded. They bey their trou'b'les an' they talc 'bout 'em, took" "What do they file their saws for?" I inquired. "Well, ye know," said he, "where they live the timber's thick an' they hey- hard work clearin' t' niek a home." I was ,getting too sleepy, for further talk. He made his way front field to field, stopping sometimes to look off at the distant mountains and then It the sky or to whack the dry stalks of mulled with his cane. I remember he let down some bars after a long walk and stepped into a smooth roadway. He stood resting a little while, his basket on the tap bar, and then the moon that I had been watching went down behind the broad rim of his hat and I fell into titter -forgetfulness, My eyes opened on a lovely scene at daylight, Uncle Eb had laid me on a mossy knoll in a bit of timber and through an opening right in front of us I could see a 'broad level of shin- ing water, and the ,great green moun- tain on the further shore seemed to be up to its belly in the sea. "Hello there!" said 'Uncle E'b; "here we are at 'Lake Champlain." I could hear the fire crackling and smell the odor of steeping tea. "Ye flapped 'round like a fish in tltet basket," said 'Uncle Eb. "'Guess ye mast a been dreamin' o' bears. Jttnt¢ed so ye scairt me. Didn't know but I had a veil' cat on my shoulders." Uncle Eb' had taken a fish wine out of his pocket and was tying it so a rude pole that he had cut and trim- med with his jack knife. "I've found some craw fish 'here," he said, "an' I'm gain' t' try fer a bite on the pint a' rocks there." `'Goin' t' git some fish, Uncle Eb?" I inquired, "Wouldn't say't 1 was, er wouldnt say't I wasn't," he answered, "gee gain' t' try," Uncle Eh wasalways careful not to commit himself on a doubtful point, He 'had •fixer! his hook and sinker in'I a moment and then we went out on a rocky point near by and threw off into the deep water. Suddenly 'Uncle Eb gave a jerk thet brought a groan'. out of him and then Set his hook go down again, his hands trembling, his face severe. "By might! (Uncle Eb," he .mutter- ed to himself, "I thought we heel hint Chet time." Ile jerked again presently, and then 3 could see a tug on the line that made me jump. A 'big 'fish came, thrashing into the air in a minute, He tried to swing it ashore, but the pole 'bent and the fish got a 'fres'h 'hold of the water and took the end of the. pole under. Uncle Bb gave it a lift then that brought it ashore and a good 'bit of water with it. I' remember how the fish slapped me with its wet tail and sprinkled my face shaking itself between my boots. It was a big bass and in a little ,while we had three of then,. 'Uncle Eb dressed them and laid them over the fire on a grid- iron of green 'birch, salting them as they ,cooked..I remember they went with a'Inc relish and the last -of eggs and 'bread and butter went with them. •Our breakfast over, Uncle Eb made me promise to stay with Fred and' the basket while he went sway to find a man who could ,row us across. In about an hour 'I heard a ,boat .coming and the dog and I ,went out on the. point of mocks wherewe saw 'Uncle Eb and another man, heading 'for as, half over the cove. The 'bow tbnantped the rocks beneath, us in a minute. Then the stranger dropped his oars and stood staring at me and the clog. 'Say, mister,' said be ,presently, "can't go no further. There's :a re, ward offered fer you .ant' thet boy." `Uncle 'Fib called -him -aside and was talking to him a long time. 3 never knew what was said, but they carie at last and took as into the 'boat and the stranger was very friendly. When we ,had come neer land I was goin' to Salem one 'bright summer day, When I met a fair maiden a goin' my way; 0, my fallow, faddeling fallow, faddel away, An' many a time I had seen her 'before, But 3 never dare tel] 'er the love thet I bore. 0, my fallow, etc. "Oh, where are you goin' my purty fair maid?" O, sirs I ant goin' t' Selena," she said 0, my fallow, etc. "O, why are ye gain' so far in a day Fer warm is the weather and long is the way." 0, my fallow;,etc. PROFESSI'ONAL CARDS Medical SEAFO,RTH CLINIC Dr, E. A. McMaseer,'M•B., Gradu- ate of (University of Toronto. 7. D. Colquhoun, M.D.; C.M,, 'Grad- ,uate of 'Dalhousie University, 'Halifax. The Clinic is fully equipped wilih complete and modern r d other o n x -ay and up -to -'date diagnostic .and thcreuptic equipment. Dr. Margaret K, Campbell, M.D.,, L,A.B.P., Specialist do Diseases in Imfants and Children, will be at the Clinic c last Tharsday in every month from 31 to 6 p.m, Dr. F. J. R. Forster, Specialist in Diseases .af the Ear, Eye, Nose' and Throat, will be at the Clinic the first Tuesday in every month' •from 4 to 6 p.m. Free well baby clinic will be dell bra the second and last Thursday in every month 'from 1 to 5 pan. "0, sir I've forgotten, I her, I de- clare, But it's nothin to eat an' its nothin' to wear." O any fallow, etc. "Young woman, young woman , 0 how will it dew If 'I go see yer lover 'n bring 'em to' you?" 0, my. fallow, etc. "'S a 'very long journey," says she, "I am told, An' 'before ye got back, they would be cold." 0, my 'fallow, etc. "I hey 'eni right with me, 'I vtun an' I vow, ' A•n' if you don't object all deliver 'cm now." 0, my fallow, etc. She laid her fair head all, onto any breast, An' ye wouldn't know marc if I tot' ye the rest. 0, my fallow, etc. I went asleep after a while in spite of all, ,right in the .middle •of a story. The droning voice of ,Uncle E'b and the feel of .his hand upon nty fore- head called me 'bade, -blinking, once the W. C. SPROAT, 'M.D, F.A:C.B. Surgery Phone 90-W. ,Offioe'john St., Seaforth DR. H. HUGH ROSS, Physician and Surgeon Late 'of London Hos- pital, London, England. Special at- tention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose ace throat. Office a'nd residence behind Dominion Barae . Office Phone No. 5; Residence Phone 104, DR, F. J. BURROWS, tOfflce Mgitt St., Seaforth, over Dominion Bank. Hours 2-15 and P to 8 oen, and by ap- pointment, Residence, Goderich Si,, two doors west of United 'Church. Phone 4'6. DR. F. J. R. FORSTER— Eye Ear, Nose and Throat, Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto 1097, Late A'ssistant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and 'Golden Square throat 'hospi- tals, London. At Commercial Hotel, Seafotth, third Wednesday in each month from 1.30 pan. to 5 p.m. Auctioneer. GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of 'Huron. Arrangements can be made for Sale Date at The Seaforth News, Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auctiot- eer for Perth and Heron Counties. Sales Solicited. Terms an Application. Farm Stock, chattels and real estate property. R. ,R, No. 4, Mitchell. Phone 634 r 6, Apply at this office, WATSON & REID REAL ESTATE AND- INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in 'First -Class Companies. THE McKILLOP Mafiosi Fire insManee CO HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTIi, Ont OF1FI CERS President, Thomas Moylan, See - forth; Vice President, William Knox, Londesiboro; Secretary 'Treasurer, M. A. Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS F. McKercher, R.'R.Il, Dublin; John E. Pepper, R.R.1, Brucefiekl; E. R. G. Yarmouth, Brod•Itagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine; Wan. Yeo, Halntesville, DIRECTORS Alex. Broadfoot, Seaforth No: 3; James S'holdice, Walton; Wm, Knox, Londesboro; George Leonhgrdt, Bornhdlm No, 1; Frank 'McGregor, Clinton No. 5; James Connolly, God_ erich; Alex 'MIEwing, Blyth No. 1; Thomas Moylan, Seaforth No, 5; Wm. R. ,Archilearld, Sealforth No. 4. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other 'business, will be promptly attended to 'by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to 'their respective post- ofdices. ing on the "York State" 'side, I 'me- menvber the gave as ••our bearings. ']Keep 't' the woods," he said' "'ti1I you're out a' baron's way. Don't go near' the . gage 'toad fer a while. Yell find a store a 1'ittle Way ap the moun- tain. 'Git yer ,provisions 'there an' about eighty rod further yell strike the :trail. 1131 take ye over the moun- tain north an' t" Paradise road, Then take the white churc'it on yer rigbt shoulder an' go straight west" (To be continued,) Want .and For Sale Ads, 3 weeks, ISUc