Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-11-27
RUNNING A SAW.


where the village of Union nov
stands, on the opposite side of tn
river. He also built near by saw
mill. He was a far-famed lumber
man, and employed many hands
whom he mustered in his own vale
and that of the Delaware. He su
perintended the running Of his lum
Der, and vas himself an expert steers
man, and acquired large property
and purchased many acres Of heavi
ly-timbered land on both sides of tn,
river belonging to the Dexter Pat
ent.
1t was in the spring of 1900; ant
Old John. as he was called, decided
to trust bis lumber to an old friend
and stay at the mill himself. His
wife had died the winter previous,
and he did not like to leave Lucy a,
lone. Lucy was a dark-haired,
sprightly girl Of fifteen, and manag-
ed her fathers house with order and
neatness; but she missed her mother
sadly, and spent much of her time
in turning over the leaves of a time.
worn Bible, on the little stand near
her mothers armchair, and reading
verses marked by her hand with tear
dropping eyes. Poor Lucy was glad
her father did not leave her this sad
spring time. And is it a wonder
that the old man found mysterious
pleasure in the same occupation?-
There seemed a strange spell in that
old Bible, that drew him to Lucy's
side to listen to her clear rich voice
as she read therefrom; and the world
ly old man forgot business here, and
held sweet communion with the
spiri: of his dead wife--that time
worn Bible the golden link between
them.
1t Was bright morning in May,
The hands had all started down the
river except one, aud he had gone
to a place some twenty miles dis
tant, and was not expected back till
the next evening. Old John took
his dinner basket, and, bidding Lucy
not to be lonesome, set out for the
mill, about half a mile distant, in the
deep forest. Lucy had a hearty
cry as soon as he was gone; but the
grieEstorm soon went by, and trying
on her hood, she too went forth into
the clearing She wandered on
listIessly. The sun shone brightly,
and merry birds warbled in the bud
ding tree-tops, and half unconscious
ly she entered the forest and took
the foot-path to the mill. Lucy's
heart grew lighter as she strolled a.
long, now STOPPING to gather wild
flowers that grew by the way, or
pausing to listen to the universal
hymn Of praise that arose from all
animated nature around her.
In the meantime, while Lucy, in
this manner, was vending her way
to the mill, Old John had stopped
the motion Of the machinery, in or
der to 60 to the rear Of the build
ing, and remove some slabs left there
the previous night. In his absence,
a huge black bear entered the mill
unobserved, quietly devoured Johns
dinner, and just as quietly retreated,
depositing his great bulk for a slum.
Der upon the very log in the midst of
which the glittering saw had been
Just suspended in its operations.
As Lucy came in sight Of the mill,
she was surprised that it was not 60
ing; and looking about for her father,
she caught a glimpse Of the dark OBJ
ect lying on the half sawed log on
The frame. She hastened forward,
thinking her father might have been
taken suddenly i'll, and laid down
here. On her near approach, how.
aver, she discovered the bear, appa-I
rently asleep. Where was her faith
sr? The thought was horror to her.
His rifle was on the hooks against
The ceiling-of the log-house she had
eft. But she neither tainted nor
A thought struck her,
md she darted towards the MILL
rhe next moment, by exerting all
ner strength, she was able to hoist
he big gate, and the saw instantly
started off with great speed. Bruln
started up at the noise. He shook
himself violently, and uttered a warn
ng growl. On dashed the saw, how