Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-01-13
W.HTTrrEIR.,s LAST PoE.u.
: .ss1rnArGnF,J ras DKAcoS."

Nauhaught the Indian deacon, who Of old
Dwelt pocr but barneess, where his narrowings Cap
Stretches its shrunk arm out to all the winds
Ana the relentless shifting of the waves,
AwOke one morning from a pleasant dream
OF q good angel dropping in his hand GsfFH
A fair, broad gold piece in the name OF God.
He rose and went forth with the early day
Far inland where the voices Of the waves
MeIlowed and mingled with the Whispering leaves,
AS, through the tangle of the low. thick woods,
He searched his taps. Therein nor beast nor bird
He found; though meanwhile in the reedy pool,
The otter FLASHED, and underneath the pines
The partridge drumne1; and as his thoughts wen
To the sick wife and little children at home
What marvel that the poor man felt his faith
rat si stand u stfSs SsSline' SeaEs Sove
gbeh snd ihat grAsps IL s.;Even now, o, lEoroi
Send me" he prayed, 'the angel Of my dreami
Wainwright is very poor; he cannot wait.
Even as he spake he heard at his bare feet .r-1-
low metallic click, and, lookiog down,
He saw a dainty purse with disks Of guild o. E
CrowdgNgftseiIken NIT Awhile he held
The thkItreasuTe up before his eyes, alone
With IL great need, feeling the wOndEous coins
Slide through his eager fingers, one by one,
So then the dream was true, The angel brought
One broad piece onyi should he take all theses
Who would be wiseE, in the blind dumb wOQdss =
Rhe loser doabtle ssSrich, wouId Scarcely miss
This dropped srunls frsn a table always full.
Still, while he unused, he seemed to hear the cry
OF a starved child; the sick face of his wife
Tempted him. Heart and flesh in fierce revolt
Urged the wild license Of his savage youth
Against his latter scruples. Bitter toll,
Prayer fasting, dread OF blame, and pitiless eyes
To watch his halting-hsd he lost for these
The freedom Of the wOods-the hunting grounds
OF happy spirits fora walled-in heaven 4
OF everlasting psiams: One healed the sick
Very far of, thousands OF moons ago;
Had he not prayed him night and day to come
And cure his bed-bound wiiet Was there help
Where all his fathers peoele writhing there
Like the poor she'll fish set to boil alive
Forever, dying never. IL he kept
liz lad. .1raad NJ Cod
Torment him like Mohawk's captive struck
NithslOss eonsaHfing splinterss Up in Heaven
Would the good brother deacon grow so rich
BY selling rum to the Indians, laugh to see him
Burn like pitch pine torchf His Christian garb
Seems falling from him; with the fear and shame
OF Adam naked at the cool of day,
He gazed around. A black snake lay in coil
On the hot sand; with sidelOng eve
Watched from a dead bOugh. All his Indian lore
OF evil blending with converts faith
In the supernal terrors of the Book,
He saw the tempter in the cOiling snake
And ominous, black winged bird and all The while
The Low rebukine of the'dis Ant Svavee< Is
stole in upon him like the Voice of God
Among the trees Of Eden. GiTding up
His SOULS loins with resolute hand, he thrust
Stsrve, if need be but while you live, look out
From honest eyes on all men, lunashanied, a
God help me am deacon of the church.
A baptised, praying 1ndiani Should / do
This secret meanness, even the barker knots
OF the old trees would turn to ewes to see il.
The birds would tell Of it, and all the leaves =
The sun would know it, and the stars that hide
Behind his light would watch me- and at night
Follow me with their sharp accusing eyes.
Yes, thou, God seest me q Then Nauhsught drew
Closer his belt Of leather, dulling thus
The pain of hunger, and wa 2ed brayely back
To the brown fishing hamlet by the sea -
And, pausing at the inner door eheerlIy asked
/" Who hath lost aught to-day :"
81, !" said a voice
fTen golden pieces in silken purse
Ny daughters handwOrk' He looked, and 10!
One stood before him in a csat of hieze.
And the glazed hat Of seafaring man: "a.
Shrewdfsced br0adshouldered with no trace of wings
Aaryeling, he dropped within the strangers hand
The silken web, and TUNED to go his way,
But the man said q A 1.-THE. at least, is yours;
Take il in6Od's name an honest man.
And as the deacOn's duSky fingers closed
Over the golden gift, % Yea in Gods anne
/ take II with sPOOE mans thanks, /" he said. -
so down the street that, like river OF sand,
Kan, white in sunshine, to the summer sea-
lie sought his home, singing and praising God
Ana when his neighb0rs in their careless way 20 4
Spoke Of the owner az the siIken purse J.. (
A Wellheet skipper, known ia every post
Ihatthe Cape opens in its sandy walk
lie answered with a wise smile to himself:
IsaW the angel where they see a man"