Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-01-14

Its in big book she calls the Bible. /
tells heap of things, but she says tina
over the most. So, says 1--we lool
for better country-we look for bet
ter country 7 and it made me think o
another kind of a place" fi -al --"'
"What's your name ?" asked Jo'
tremnlously. .,.f..-.-st .,,i So u. q
"Sylvie Trestle." .s = ..aE 'a
"Tm your father, amt / ?" put in 10,
humbly. .-.rnr. -.,s ir ~71isnut i.
d "Ycs, 1 knowed it, -I7iI 'al e. 1I.
The storm was at full height 1T wal
autumnal equinox, and full of fury
The little girl shivered. Joe crouchet
nearer and felt for her shaggy head
He got it against his shoulder, ant
cooed softly to his child. .. -.
"Do you hate me ?"
"No," said Sylvie, 'I like ye !" cud
ding her hands under his neck, thu.
reaching AID wringing Joe Trestles
heart. i-,.... 81. .... .-.. .- .-.. . r.
= '.And, I've got ia little grill And thai
woman buses her /! And 1 might be
putin as good house as any of 'en
over her this minute, instead Of bein
Ike a pigl There's nothin' and no.
where's for us now T. he muttered to
himself; the child caught his last
words to them she answered, turning
up qnick face " q. ! "
"Yes, there's'the better country ~
The better country had seized
strongly on her imagination,
"Oh that ain'tfor nobody bit reli
gious folks, and they're got TO die on
the square to git in That's nowhere
for me y "a -'
"Grandrna Lime said," propounded
Sylvie, rising to her subject and her
parents ear, "that the better country S
for the people of God, and then's who
ever come to Him 20
"Yes, L know, church folks. They've
had me up and tried to religious me.
But it comes on me TO drink, and drink
l must Wish there was place where
I could do better 7 think thoughts,
but that didn't mend me. Amt clean
enough for this world, and what show
is that for gittin' into better one 2"
Joe Trest!e saw himself sneaking be-
fore the Lord of Worlds .. -fI u
Sylvie laid out her simple creed. 1t
was a rope of only two strands: I'VE
look for better country through Him
who died for us. And though no un-
clean thing may enter there. He washes
the unclean, making it fit to enter"
1t penetrated Joe Trestleto the quick.
And the deluge penetrated TO his bones.
Seems TO me we're gittip' swamped,
Sylvie! don't you feel rs if you was
settin' in water2"' .,. ......... ...
Yes and with qnick perception,
''its The RUM its over the banks" ..
'tAnd we're, hiyed here on the low
side with an arm of the stream 'twixt US
and the bluff was so drunk 1 forgot !
Oh Lord, child, we're hemmed in by
wateriH 2 f~.HlI B. IHu.rHE OIL ID"
Sylvie began to cry fearfully Joe
fondled her and felt courageous. Hold
ing hands they CROPPED round the tree
such current washed their ankles, they
dared not venture far. lightning
showed them they were. in tbs midst OF
a nrrfHHii; sea- the TbSce Of Rh'Sh flied
their ears.
We've got to climb for't," said Joe.
It seemed hours before he got his
little girl above the gathering wave, and.
hours again before his lax muscles
dragged him after her. They sat on a
sycamore limb, ,he-gripping her to him,
and Watched the waves through flashes,
like two refugees from Noah's food. .
d, what is 1t about your better. coIn-
try?" asked Joe. -.., .r .....-.-,s ..
I'VE look for better country =
1t was long might. His child was
very heavy on his arm. They were both
stupefed with chills, and Joe was no
wiser, 10 stronger, than Sylvie. He
had weakened his flesh and softened
his courage; but he held on, and the
strong desire to save his child cleared
the rnists of drink away.
. wake. up, grille J" begged Joe un-
der his wing, 'fraid this holler trunk
is going to be swept off did ye say ye
didn't like your good-for-nuthin'
father ?" ...5 -lsf - ........ L
Liked him y corrected Sylvie,
clinging feebly. .e- ..-> ...- 20
"L9ra btess my little IN, and look
at me! .r-SI ...s.' 5.4~
!, A twist "a crack The Run was
flowing like Rmill dam ! .
~ These two were alone-far from help
People we're housed and happy in
towns and farm-houses, sleeping under
the wing of the good God who keeps all
His.
"what is't ag'in, girlie?" breathed Joe
"We look for better 1
Then the world came to an end to
these two when breaking timber, cold,
fast water, bruisiDg logs, confused their
battling souls, Joe kept tight hold of
his little girl. He struck out for sup
port, but could not see-was whirled
and blinded. 1t was not for long,
though. Ill > -
For presently, still clasped to one
another, they foated down stream. and
into q better country - Household
MIlGziIae.l l. --L-..l II. - - -