Weekly Trinity journal., 1873-10-25


the best man in the world. lie wanted
to say something pleasant to break the
awkward silence, but did not know whore
to begin. He had an uncomfortable feel
ing that he ought to beg her pardon but
being n man, of course he did not conde-
scend to that. At length ho began by
saying "You was right peert about
your breakfast this morning, Nancy"
"Oh, allowed most likely you'd want
to get off soon," she answered,
"Yes, Jones wants us there ag'in sun
up. It's only fifty log raft. Reckon
we can get it down to Leavenworth ag'in
The night train starts and-and I'll get
right on, and be back to to Atchison afore
dav. Don't catch me fooln away anoth-
er day round that old fort"
"Oh, John, Tn SO proud" she paus'
ed abruptly, for his eyes dropped with
look of conscious shame. What mood
was he in ? Would it do to speak then
He had showed away from the table
and there was a serious far away look in
his eyes, but nothing sulen or forbid1ing.
She went around, and dropping on her
knees beside him, slipped her arms
around his neck saying 'Oh. John, |
wish you'd promise me you'd never drink
no more whisky"
"That's amost too hard on a fellow /;
but I'll promise not to-not to take too
much ag'in," he answered.
"But I'm afeard that wouldn't do no
good"
You talk like you thought hadn't
sense enough to stop when I've got plen-
ty, if l try" he exclaimed.
"Oh, John, don't talk so you know
you promised me that nigh onto year
ago ; but you think you'll take just one
dram, and then just one more, and afore
you know it, it's too much. Ifyou'd on
| ly promise now that you'd never taste
nay drop ag'in."
Still he kept his eyes turned steadily
away from hers.
"Don't you mind, now," she went on,
chow your mother said one time, Il
reckon, Nancy, you count John mighty
rough chap, but he's all right at the CORE
and don't you mind how she used to pray
for you in them old times Don't you
mind the ovenIn' we heard her prayip'
down by the old spring? If she's watch
ing you among the stars, how proud she'd
be to hear you promise. And john"
she continued, dropping her voice to
whisper, / pray too sometimes. /
haven't never told you, but I've been
feeling right serious here of late. I've
taken to readn' my Bible and I've just
made up my mind to live better'n i used
too and pray for you, too, and il seems
like God hears me-" And she laid her
head on his shoulder to hide her tears.
His arm slipped around her, but he
still kept his eyes turned stubbornly away
from hers. At last, laying his face
against hers, he spoke earnestly, Yes,
Nancy, promise"
Presently, starting up, he exclaimed
"If haven't stayed till plum daylight"
"Oh, John come and kiss baby be-
fore you 60 he looks so sweet. Sam
my, Sammy |! wake up honey, and kiss
pappy."
" Bless his sleepy eyes Pappy's little
man III bring him some candy when
| come home agin."
All day Nancy went about with such
light CHEEKY heart as she mad not carried
in her bosom for many day singing
snatches Of old hymns, and thinking
happy hopeful thoughts of him who, all
those long hours, was working his rud
der against the strong current Of the Mis-
souri,.
That evening the stars shono brightly
down upon her, when she knclt by the
little window, and asked Gods blessing
on her husband and his good resolutions,
But she was awakened in few hours
by rush and confusion, shower Of glass
and hail across her bed and catching
her baby in her arms, she sprang up
frightened and bewildered. 1t was
terrible storm one long to be remem
bered by all who felt its terrors. The
deafening roar of the wind and hail al
most drowned the loud thunder claps. A
binding flash of lightning showed the
trees almost bent to the ground and the
house rocked TO and fro like CRADLE
She suddenly felt a new strange feeling,
as if she was flying, floating through the
air. She thought that she was dizzy, and
caught hold of the bed. A terrible crash
--she never knew how it all happened
Her baby's cries aroused her. She start
ed to spring up, but something held her
down. The wind and rain chilled her
through. A shock of pain darted over
her, and putting out her hand, she felt
n great beam lying heavily across her
limbs. 1t seemed as though it was crush
ing her limbs. Something struck her,
then another and another. How they
stungl Oh was her child sheltered
from the storm His screams grew loud
er. She could sec nothing through the
thick darkness, but she knew that he was
not far off. What if he, too, was fasten-
ed, crippled? =? She stretched her arms
every movement made tho pain more
excrutiating. She strained every nerve
she could almost reach him. What If he
was free and could como to her? "Oh
Sammy Sammy ~ she called, come
4 MI. oI;I1 oaaoa1 nrvinn chp