Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-04-03

lind Iowa, or least this part (the only part
have yet visited), exceedingly dull. We
get no news here until it is week or eight
days old; it is two miles to post Office and
so far away among the cosn.flelds and hazel
thickets that it is great relief to the mo.
notony Of our lives to hear that neighbor
is coming across the fields, and we all run
out to see sight so unusual. When a
neighbor actually arrives then indeed are
our hearts made glad. We draw our chairs
about him and gazing intently upon his
countenance try to read in its workings the
exact amount Of news in his budget. in ad.
vance Of his displaying whatever gossip
he may have in his possession.
Often We are disappointed, tho neigh.
Dor has nothing to tell after all; orly comes
to ask what we have heard that is new. Yet,
this IS not always the case. Only week
ago, my oldest daughter. who was on the
the look out at the masthead, "a trunk by
the window hailed the main deck with
Man in sight" Where.away +" asked
grandma, in an excited tone and manner,
raising her glass (es) and securing the corn.
field to the loeward. "Just rising the hori-
zon of the stuble field, to the w,ndward ~
answered the lookout. "What does he
look liket" asked grandma, showing much
animation. "Like old Jones, with every
rag fying!" Beat to quarters r. shouts
grandma, with slight termor in her voice !;
sweep the main-dsck ; clew up the bed
curtains; stow away the chairs send the
dog, Watch, out to his kennel!. l." "Aye, aye!
out no is, MANI" cry the alert crew..
(which way does he head, now :" asks
grandma in shrill whisper. "Hes heading
down on tho front door ." replies tho
wide'awake lookout. "To your places -
all hands to your places =" cries grandma,
in whispered shrek of terrible import, and
the crew rushed to their stations. There is
a moment Of horrible suspense. Grandma
and all hands hold their breath. They are
listening. Their breasts heave-their hearts
beat, and tho workings of their countenances
are frightful to look upon. They all gaze
intently towards the door. Heavens what
was that Grandma is calm; her glasses
rest on nose that knows no quiver-nary
Hark again that ominous sound. "Tis-
It's knock! Jones' knock. Grandma is
placid, the crew firm in their places. Grand
ma raises alsft her venerable head, shovine q
the SHOWS of many winters and opens her
speaking trumpet. What dignity what a
look Of resignation combined NTH determin-
alton sat on her brow, or cheeks, or nose or
some place, as she said in voice that thrill.
ed every hearcr--" Come in" Twas Al,
she said--two little words. Yet mark the
effect: the ponderous bass wood door creak-
cd on its hinges and slowly opened. Open.
ed!-opsned9 Why9 What opened It'll
We answer We that stood by and saw it all
we answer in a word-Jones! Yes, twas
Jones that opened the door; twas Jones
that stalked into our midst twas Jones
that said, when grandma asked him to take
q" cheer" thank you, don't keer ef do "
twas Jones that spread out his coat-tail
and seated himself on the proffered chair
Jones, Jones ? all Jones. Then who was It
that crossed his legs, clasped his hands.
twiddled his thumbs and looked as though
no could tale unfold!" Jones. Who
continued in the most provoking manner to
talk on commonplace topics, when every
beholder could sec that he was charged to
bursting with news of the most startling
character Jones-the cruel, tantalizing
Jones. Who kept up this most mysterious
and provoking behavior two hours and
halfS Jones--thc diabolical Jones. Who.
at last, just previous to his departure, drew
down his face and put into his countsnsnce
. look Of such shocking, solemn sadness as
to chill our very blood with horrorp Jones.
Who in tones, solemn and hollow, informed
us that neighbor Jinkens had that morning
met with terrible loss Jones. Who
then fingered about the minute particulars
to tell us that Jinkens only sheep-the only
ono he had ever possessed--had that morn.
ing died with sworn in the head ?"-l
What need Of my answering! you know a.
ready--everybody knows it was JONES'
Why must Jones como here-here where
We were all gay and happy--and tell US of
his horrible tale Of death and the worm p
Before his visit-before his sepulchural
1oice had tolled in our ears that awful story,
we sang blythly,, prattled chesrfully and
vers spontaneously joyful. Now we are all
'ad, gloomy. Our gayety is but assumed,
'ur cheerfoncss forged. We are thinking
4 the the soorm. NOur little ones 70 longer
ind pleasure in dolls and pop, guns they
lang to our skirts and ask questions about
he worm. What, oh, what is the worm
=, tell ns-teN us about the worm" What
an say--what can ee sayi know moth
ng Of the worm-we know nothing of the
Eorm, except what Jones-oh, curse that y
ones told US. Last night my eldcst-l,
asling, Alphonse-awoke and screamed as
hough some ghoul were tearing open his
recious breast "Ive got It! I've got It
IL - 4 ~ ~ i