Loading...
The Seaforth News, 1939-03-16, Page 6PAGE !SIX "I thank you for what you have done, Brower," said he, "but I tell yon I am licked. I shall not carry a single state. I am going to be slaughtered. He had read his fate and better than he knew, In politics he was a great prophet. CHAPTER XLIII The north country lay buried in the snow that Christmas time. Here and there tite Meant plow' had thrown its furrows, on either side of the rail- road. high above the window- line. The fences were muffled in long ridges of snow. their stake: showing like 'pins in a cushion of white velvet. Some of the small trees on the edge of the hie timber stood overdrifted to their b.digh:s. I have never seen each a glory ,.f the morning as when the sun came up, that day we were nearing home, and lit the splendor of the hills, there in the land I love, The frosty nap of the snow glowed far and near with pulsing glints of pale sapphire. We came into Hillshorou,it at noon the day before Christmas. Father and 2?ncle Eb met ns at the depot and mother stood waving. her handker- chief at the door as we drove up. And when we were done with our greet- ings and were standing, damp eyed, to warm ourselves at the fire, Uncle Eb brought his palms together with a loud whack and said: "Look were. Liz'heth Brower! I wan t hev ye tell me if ye ever see a.likelier pair .rcolts." She laughed es she 11moked at las. In a moment site ran her band clown the side of Hope'. gown. Then she lifted a fold of the cloth and felt of it thoughtfully. "How much was that a yard?" she asked a dreamy look in her eves. "W'y! :v'y!" she continued as Hope told her the slue, ''Terrible steep! but it does fit splendid! Oughter wear well, too! Wish ye'd put that cel if ye ~n t' church rex Sunday:' "0 mother!" said line, laughing, „I'll wear my blue ..ilk." "Come boys 'n girls," said Elizab- eth suddenly, ",ginger's ali ready in the other room, "Beats the world!" :aid Uncle Eb, as we sat down at the table. "Ye do look gran' t' m ree-markable gran' both uv ye. Tek a premium at any fair —ye would sartin." "Has he td,n yer affection.?" said David laughing a: he looked over at Home. "He ha: said she solemnly. "Affections are a sin lar kind o prop'ty," said Uncle E',, liain't good fer nuthin' 'ti ye've tin em away. Then, like a: not, they git very valyble." "Good deal that way with money too," said Elizabeth Brower. W'I recnllec' when Hope was a lettle bit uv a girl," said Uncle Eb, "she used t' say 'et when , she got married she was goin' t' her us all come t' live with her, an' hev her hes- ban' rub my back fer me when it was lame." "I haven't forgetten it," said Hope, "and if you will all come you will make us happier." "Good many mouths t' feedl" Uncle Eb remarked. "I could take in sewing and help some," said Elizabeth Brower, as she sipped her tea. There was a little quiver in David's under lip as he looked over at her, "You aint able t' do hard work any more. mother," said he. "She wont never her to nether," said Uncle Eb, "Don't never pay t' go looking fer trouble—it's tew easy t' find. There ain' no sech thangs 's trouble 'n this world 'less ye look fer it. Happiness wont hev nuthin t' dew with a man thet likes trouble. Minnit a man stops .lookin' fer trouble hap- piness '11 look fer him. Things come party nigh's ye like 'em here 'n this world—hot. er •cold er only middlin'. Ye can either laugh er cry er fight er fish er go t' meetin'. If ye don't like erry one ye can fin' fault. I'm on the lookout fer 'happiness—suits me best, someway, an' don't hurt my feelin'r a bit." "Eery day's a kind uv a circus day with you, Holden," said David Brow- er. "Alw•uss lmevin' a good time. Ye can hev more fun with yerself 'n any man I ever see," "If 1 !lei, as much hereafter es I've heti 'here 1 aint a goin' t' fin no fault," said Uncle Eh. "'S a reel, splendid world. God's fixed it up so ev'ry body can her a good time if they'll only bee it.Once I heard uv a pour man 'at hed a bushel o' eorn gine tew- him, He looked up 'kind o' sad alt' act if they would n't please shell it. Then they tuk it away. God's gin us happiness in the ear, but He aint a goin' t' shell it fer us. You'n 'Lizab- eth otighter be very happy. Look- a' them tew children!" There came a rap at the door therm, Davits put on his cap and event met with Uncle Eb. "It's somebody for more money," Elizabeth whispered, her eyes filling, "I- know 'tis, or he would have asked hint in, We're goin' t' lose our home." Her lips quivered; she covered her eyes a moment, "David aint well," she continued. -Worries night 'n clay over money matters. Don't say much, but I ran see it's alwuss on his mind. Woke up in the middle o' the night awhile ago. Found him cutin' by the stove, 'Mo- ther,' he said, 'we rant neves' go back to iarmin'. I've plowed furrows en- ough t' co 'round the world, Couldn't never go through it ag'in.' said I. 'if you think hest we could start over '0 :ee how we git along, I'm 'villin' 1' try it.' '\o, we're too old,' he says. 'Thet's out o' the (Pies tion. I've been thinkin" what'll we do there with Bill 'n Hope if we go t' kith 'eat. Don't .suppose they'll hev any bosses t' take care uv er any wood t' chop. \\'hat we'll hev t' do is nmore'n I can make out. We can't do mithin't we've never learnt how'." "We've thought that all over," 1 said, "\4'e may have a place in the country with a big garden." "Well," said she, "I'm ,very well if I ant over sixty. I can cook an' wash an' mend an' iron just as well as 1 ever could." Uncle Eb cane to the door then. tilt 11 said, "1 want you 'n Hope t' come out litre 'n look at this young colt ai mine. He's playful 's a kitten.' We put on cum ,wraps and wentto the stable, Uncle Eh was there alone, "If ye brought any Crisamus pres- ents," he whispered, "slip 'em into my han's. I'm goin' t' run the cirkis t' morrow an' if we dont hev fun a plenty 111 miss my guess," "I'll lay them out in my room," said Hope, "Be sure '0 put the names on 'em," Uncle Eh whispered, as Hope went away, "What have ye done with the 'bit- ers?"' I• inquired. "Sold 'em," said he, laughing. "Barker never keee his promise. Heard they'd gone over t' the 'Burg an' was tryin' to sell more territory, 1 says t' Dave 'you let me manage 'em an' 1'11 put 'ern out o' business here 'n this part o' the country,' So I writ out an advertisement fer the paper. Read about this way:. "'Fer sale. Twelve hundred patent- ed suction Wash B'ilers, Any one at can't sten' prosperity an' is learn' t' swear '11 find 'em a great help. If he don't:he's a bigger fool '11 I am, Nu - thin' in 'em but tin—that's wuth soumetliin'. Warranted t' told water,' "Wall ye know how word get:. around. 'Twant a day 'fore the head 0' the b'iler business come 'n bought 'em. An' the advertisement was never put in. •Guess he want .hankerin' t' ,hcv his 'business sp'ilt." Uncle Eb was not at the supper table that evening, "Where's Holden?" said Elizabeth Brower 1 THE SEAFORTH NEWS "Dunno," said David. ''Goin' after Santa Claushe tol' ire." ''Never see the beat o' that man!" was the remark of 'Elizabeth, as she poured the tea. 'tjes' like a 'boy ev'ry Crissmus time. Been so excited fer a week couldn't hardly contain hint sel'f,' ",Retched pini out 'n the barn t' other day laffin' like e fool," said David. "Thought he ,was crazy," We sat by the fire after the supper dishes were pet away, talking of all the Christmas days we could remem- ber. Hope and I thought our last in Faraway best of all and no wonder, for we had got then the first promise of the great gift that now made es happy. Elizabeth, sitting in her easy chair, told of Christmas in the olden time when her father had gone to the war with the British. David sat near nae, his face in the fire light—the broad brow wrinkled into furrows and framed in 'locks of iron grey. He was looking thotight- fully at the fire, 'Uncle Et came soon, stamping and shaking the snow* out of his great fur coat. "Col' night," he said, warming his hands. Then he carried his coat and cap away, returning shortly, with a little box in his hand. '_les' thought I'd buy this fer fun," said be, holding it down to the fire light: "Dumincd if I ever see the like uv it. Whoa!" he shouted, as the cover flew open, releasing ajunmping- jack. '`Quicker'tt a .grasshopper! D'ye ever see sech a sassy little critter?" Then he handed it to Elizabeth. "Wish ye Merry Christmas, Dave Brower!" said he. Ain't as merry as I night •'be," said David. "Know what's the matter with ye," said 'Uncle Eb. "Searchin' after trou- ble—thet's what ye're doin'. Fintlin' lots uv it right there 'n the fire. Troim- ble 's goin' t' ,git mighty scurce 'round here this very self sante night, Aint goin' t' be nobody lookin' fer ft thet's whys Fer years ye've been takin' care o' somebody et 'I1 take o' you, long's ye live—sartin sure. Folks they said, ye was fools when ye took 'eat in. Man said I was a fool once. Alwuss hed a purty fair idee o' myself since then, When some folks Bail ye a fool's a Hither good sign ye aint. Ye've waited a long time fer yer pay---aint much longer t' wait now." There was a little quaver in his voice. We all 'looked at hits in sil- ence. uncle Eb drew out his wallet with trembling hand., his fine old face lit with a deep emotion, David looked up at 'hint as if he wondered what joke was coming, until he sa•r, his excitement. -Here's twenty thousan' dollars," said Uncle Eb, "a reel, genuw•inc bank check! ---fist as •good as gold. Here 'till :\ C•issmus present fer you 'n Elizabeth. :1.n' may God bless ye bothi David looked up incredulously. '!'hen 'he took the bit of paper, A big tear rolled down his cheek, 'Why, Holden! What docs this mean?" hesasked, " ':1t the Lord pays His debts,' said Uncle El), "Read it." Hope lighted the lamp. David rose and p111 on his spectac- les. One eyehrow- had lifted above the level of the other. He held the check to the lamp light. Elizabeth stood at itis elbow, "Why, mother!" said he, "Is this from our boy? From Nehemiah? Why, ::\ehennah is dead!" he added, looking over, his spectacles at Uncle Eh. "Nehemiah is not dead," said the latter, Nehemiah not dead!" he repeated, looking down at the draft. They turned it in the light, reading over and over again the happy tidings pinned to one corner of it. '!'hen they looked into each •other's eyes. Elizabeth put her arms about Dav- id's neck and laid her bead upon his shoulder and net one of us dare trust himself to speak for a little. 'Uncle Eb broke the silence, "Got another present," he said. "'S e good deal better 'n gold er silver—" A knack at the door interrupted hien. He swung it open quickly. :\ tall, bearded man came in. "Mr. Trumbull!" Hope exclaimed, rising. "David an' Elizabeth Brower," said Uncle Eb, The dead hes Done t'life. I give ye back yer'son—Nehemiah." Then he swung his cap high above his head, shouting in a loud voice: "Merry Crissmusl !terry Crissmusl" The scene that followed,1 shall not try to picture. It was so full of happiness that every day of aur lives since then has been blessed with it and with a peace that has lightened every sorrow; of it, I can truly say that it passeth all understanding. "Look here, folks!" said 'Uncle 'Eb, after awhile, as he got his Aute, "my feelie's hev been teched hard. If I don't hev some jollification I'll, bust. Bill Brower, limber up yer leather a leetle bit." THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1939 CHAPTER XLPV Nehemiah, whom I had known as j -okra Trumbull, sat ti long time be- tween his father and mother; holding a hand of each, and talking in a low tone, while. Hope and I -were in the kitchen with 'Uncle Eb. 'Now that fa- ther and son were side by side we saw how like they were and wondered we had never guessed the truth, "Do you remember? said Nehemiah, when we returned, "'Do you remember when you were a little boy, coating one night to the olcl log house on B'owman''s Hill with Uncle Eb?" "'I remember it very well," I an- swered, "That was the 'first time I ever saw you" he said. "Why—you are not 'the night man?" was the night man," he answer- ed. I stared at hila with something of the old, familiar thrill that had always come at the mention of hint years agorae, 'He's grown a leetle since ,then," said .Uncle E'b, "I thought so the night I carried hint off the field at Bull Run," said Nehemiah. Was that you?" Iasked eagerly. 'It was,' he answered. "I came over from 'Washington that afternoon. Your colonel told me you had been wounded," "Wondered w•imo you were, but I could not get you to answer. I have to thank you for my life." ,'Hope put her arms about his neck and kissed him, "Tell us," said she, "how you carte to 'be the night man." Ile folded his arms and looked down and began his story. "Years ago I hacl a great misfor- tune. I was a stere bay at the time. By accident I killed another 'boy in play. It was an old gen 'we were playing with attd nobody knew it was loaded. I had often quarrelled with the other boy—that is why they thought I had done it on purpose. There was a' dance that night. I had got up in the evening, crawled out of the window and stolen away. We were in Rickard's stable. I re- member how the people ran out with lanterns, They would have •hung me —some of them—or given me the blue beech, if a boy friend had not hurried the away. It was a terrible hour. I was stunned; I could say nothing. They drove me to the 'Burg, the boy's father chasing us. 1 got over into Can- ada, walked to I\lontreal and there went to sea. It was foolish, I 'know, but I was only a boy of fifteen. I took another name; I began a new life, Nehemiah Brower was like one dead, In 'Frisco I saw Ben Gilman, He had been a school mate in Fara- way. !He put his hand on my should- er and called me the old name. It was hard to deny it—the hardest thing, I ever did. I was homesick I wanted to ask him about my mother and fa- ther and mysister, who was a baby when I left. 1 would have given my Life to talk with hien. But I shook my head: "'No,' I said, 'my name is not Brower. You are mistaken.' 'Then I walked away and Nemv Brower stayed in his grave, "Welt two years later we were cruising from Sidney to Van Diem - en's Land. One night there came a big storms. A shipmate was washed away 711 the dark. We never saw him again. They found a letter in his box that said his real name was Nehem- iah Brower, son of David Brower, of Faraway, N. Y., U. S. A. I put it there, of course, and the captain wrote a letter to my •father about the death of his son. -ley old self was near donefor and the man Trumbull had a new lease of life. You see in my madness 1 had convicted and execut- ed myself," He paused a moment. His mother put her hand upon his shoulder with a word of gentle sympathy. Then be went on. "Well, six years after I bad gone away, one evening in mid -summer, we carate into the harbor of ,Quebec. I had been long in the southern seas. When I -went ashore; on a day's leave, and wandered off in the fields and got the smell of .the north, I went out of my head—went crazy for a look at the hills o' Faraway and my own peo- ple. IN'othing could stop me then. I drew my pay, packed my things in a bag and off I went. 'Left the 'Burg afoot the day after; got to Faraway in the evening. It was beautiful—the scent o' the new hay that 'stood in cocks and winrows on the bill—the noise o' the crickets—the smell o' the grain—the old 'house, just as I' re- membered them; just as I had dream- ed of them a thousand times. And when I went by the gate Bony—my old dog -came out and 'barked at me and I spoke to hint and Ile ,knew me and came and licked my hands, rub- bing upon my leg. I sat down with hint there by the stone wall and the kiss of that old .dog—the first token of ,love I had known for years—call- ed 'back the dead and all 'that had been his. T put my arms about his neck and was near crying out with. )oy "Then 1 stole up to the Nouse and looked in at a window. '!'here sat lather, at a table, reading his paper; and a:little girl was on her knees uy mother -saying her prayers.., He stopped a moment, covering rasa eyes with iiis handkerchief, "'!'hat was. Hope," 1 whispered, "'That was. Hope," he went 011. "All the kings oxen could not have dragged me .054 of i araway then. Late at ingot i went on 111to the woods, The old dog followed to stay with inc .u'nttd he elect. .11 it had n+Jt 'beets for him 1 should have been hopeless. 1 had with me enough to eat Ior a time. . 1,4e bound a cave in a aiy ledge over .back of Bull Pond, lits mouth was Covered with briars. It had a 'big room and a stream of corn water trickung through a crevice...1 trade it my house and a (Inc place it was—cool in summer and warm in winter. 1 caught a cub panther that fall and a. baoy coon, alley grew up with me there and 'were ,the only friends 1 had after Bony, except Uncle kb." 'i'Uncle Eh!" f exclaimed, "You ,know hole 1 met hint," he said. "4\%cll, he won my coutidence.1 told hint my history: I`cante into the clearing almost every night, Stet him often. He tried to persuade me to come bask to my people, but 1 could not do it. 1 was insane; 1 fear- ed something --I did not know what. .Sometimes 1 doubted even my own identity, ,'}Many a summer night I sat talking for hours, with Uatcle .EEb, at the foot of Lone Pine, 0, he was like a lather to ane! God knows 'what 1 should have done without him. 'Well, I stuck to may life, or rather to my death, there in the woods --getting fish out' of the brooks and game out of the forest, and milk out of the cows in the pasture, Sometimes f went through the woods to the store at Tifton for flour and pork, One night Uncle Eb told me if I would go out among men to try my hand at some sort of business he would start nme with a thousand dollars. Well, 1 did it. I hat! also a hundred dollars of my own, I came through the woods afoot. Bought fashionable olothing at 'Utica, and came to the big city—you know the rest. Among sten my fear has left me, so I wonder at it. I ant a debtor to love -the love of Uncle Eh and that of a noble woman I shall soots marry. It has mace Inc whole. and brought me •back to may omen people :And every body knew he was in- ncDav!d,mcent the day after he left," said "'Three cheers for 'Uncle Eb]" I de- manded. And we gave them. "I declare!" said he, "In all my born days never see sech full. It's tree-meimjous! I tell ye. Them 'et take uv others 'i1 'he took care uv -- 'less they do it o' purpose," And when the rest of its had gone to bed Uncle Eb sat awhile by the fire with David. Late at night he carte over to my bed on tiptoe to see if 1 were a'w'ake, holding the candle above my head. I was worn out and diel not open my eyes, He sat down snickering, :'Tell ye one thing, Dave 'Brower," he whispered to himself as he drew off his boots "when some folks calls ye a fool 's a.purty good sign ye aint," CHAPTER XLV Since that day I have seen much coming and going. 1Ve are now .the old folks—Marg- aret and Nehemiah and Hope and I. Those others, with their rugged strength, their simple ways, their Un- dying , youth, are of the past. The young folks—they are a new kind of people. It gives us comfort to think they will never have to sing in choirs or "Pound the rock" for board 111011- eY; but I know it is the worse luck for them. They are a fine lot of young men and women—comely and well mannered ---but they will not be the pathfinders of the future. What with balls and dinners and clubs and theatres, they find too great a solace in the rear rank. Nearly twenty years after, that memorable Christmas, corning to Buf- 'falo to New York pre summer morn- ing, my thoughts went astray in the north country. The familiar 'faces, the old scenes came •trooping by and that very .day I saw the sun set in Hillsborough as I had often those late years, Mother was living in the old home, alone, with a daughter of Grandma Bisnette, It was her wish to live Ind die under that roof. She cooked the a fine supper, with her own hands, and a great anxiety to please rate, "Come 'Willie!" said she, as if I were a small boy again, "`You ill the w'oodbox an' I'll git supper • renally. Luclntly, you clear out," she said to the hired girl, .good naturedly, "You horse how t' cook for him." I filled ,floe woodbax and brought a pail of water and while s'he ,was fry- ing the ham and eggs read to her PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical SEAFORTH CLINIC, Dr. E. A. McMaster, M,B.; Gradu- ate of 'University of Toronto; J. D. Colquhoun, M.D., C.M,, 'Grad- uate of 'Dalhousie University, Halifax. The Clinic is fully equipped with complete and modern x-ray and other up -td -date diagnostic„and thereuptic equipment. Dr. Margaret K. Campbell, M.D,, L.A.B.P., Specialist in Diseases in Infants and Children, will be at the Clinic last Thursday in every month. from 3to6p.m. Dr. F. J. R. Forster, Specialist in PAGE SIX Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat, will be at the Clinic the first Tuesday in every month from 4 to 6 p.nt. Free well -baby clinic will be held on the second and last Thursday in every month from 1 to 2 p.m. W. C. SPROAT, M,D„ F.A.C.S. Surgery Phone 90-W. Office 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 and throat. Office and residence beli,ied Dominion Bank, Office Phone No. 5; Residence Phone 104, DR. F. J, BURROWS, Office Main St., Seaforth, over Dominion Bank. Hours 2-'5 and 7 to 0 p.m. and by ap- pointment, Residence, 'Goderich St,, two doors west of United Church, Phone 46, DR, F. J. R. FORSTER— Eye Ear, Nose and Throat. Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto 1297. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and 'Golden Square throat hospi- tals, London. At Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third Wednesday in eaclj month from L30 p.m, 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. AH'RENS, Licensed Auctiot eer for Perth and Huron Counties. Sales Solicited, Terms on Application. Farm Stock, chattels and rill 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 ism First -Class Companies. THE McKILLOP Mutual Fire Inseraace Co HEAD OFFICE-SEAFORTH, Ont OF'FI CERS President, Thomas Moylan, Sea - forth; Vice President, William Knox, Londesboro; Secretary Treasurer, M A. Reid, Seaforth, AG.ENTS F. McKercher, R,R.tl, Dublin; John 5, Pepper, R.R,1, Brumfield; E. R. G. Yarmouth, Brodhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine, Wm, Yeo, Holmesville, DBRECTORS Alex, Broadfoot, Seaforth No, .3; James.Sh•oldice, Walton; Wm, Knox, Lon des boro; George Leonhardt, Bornholm No, 1; Frank MoGregor, Ciintcm No, 5; James Connolly, God. erich; Alex M'eEwing, Blyth No, 1: Thomas Moylan, Seaforth No. 5; Wm. R. Archibald, Sea'forth 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 - offices, part of a speech I had made in Con- gress. Before thousands I had never felt more elation. At last I was sure of winning her applause. The little bent figure stood, thoughtfully, turn- inghe ham and eggs. She put fhe spider aside, to stand near rhe, her bands upon her hips. There was a nighty pride in her face when 1 ;had .finished, 1 rose and she went and looked out the window. "Grand,” she murmured, wiping her eyes with the corner, of her hand- kerchief. (Concluded on next ,pa$e,)