The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-02-25

We from the wet GoWcriul water
spell, That's cOmftable, hev?"
Its we; in here, but tain't s.
chilly"
That's better. Now YOU jus
take it easy sissy Miss Smith o
none o them poor house red-tapes i
goin' to lay finger on We. Sh
never put We in the crazy-housc di,
she -
"Yes-oh-h-h,'' - shuddered th,
child.
What for. and did il skcer We 2
She said it was for sassiE' her
She was tellen' man what my faith
er was, and | said he lcosa't Acihrr
And She"
What's your fathers name :"
Joe Trestle."
Joe gulped throat full of air.
And she ketched me bv the arm
and put me right in their hall. Oh
YOU don't know how awful tits
They're behind iron winders, bu
they look into the hall and vel
and make faces, and grab like thev'C
tear you to pieces. ] got down in ,
corner with my dress over my head
and said over and over again wha'
grandma Lane teached me.
What uas that"
For we look for better country,
It's in big book she called the bi
BILE 1t tells heap of things, bur
she SAYS that over the most. So
saws I've look for better country
we look for better country :" and
it made me think of another kind o.
a place"
What's your name ?" asked Joe
TREMENDOUSLY.
"Sylvie Trest.e."
"I'm your father, amt II" put in
Joe humbly.
"l-es. | knowed it."
The storm was at full height. II
was the autumn equinox, and full OF
fury. The little girl sbivered. Joe
crouched nearer and felt for ber
shaggx.bead. He got it against his
shoulder, and cooed softly to his
child.
DO YOU hate me p
NO" said Sylvie, 81 like yer'
cuddling ner hands under his neck,
thus reaching and wringing Joe
nestel's heart.
And I've got little girl And
what woman buses her !! And
might be putin as good house as
anv of 'em over her this minute, in
stead of bein' pig! There's nothin'
and nowheres for US now!" be nut
tered'to himself; the child caught bis
last words; to them she answered,
turning a quick face:
Yes, there's the better country ~
The better country has seized
strongly on her imagination.
"Oh! that amt for nobody but re-
ligious folks, and they've got to die
on the square 10 git in! That's no.
where for mel"
Grandma Lane said" propound-
ed Sylvie, rising to her subject and
her parents ear, that the better
country's for the people of God, and
them's whoever come to him ~
"Yes, | know church folks.
They'v had me up and tried to re-
ligious me. But it comes on me to
drink, and drink i must! / think
thoughts, but that didn't mend me.
Amt clean enough for this world,
and what show is that for gettin' in
10 better one :"
Joe Trcstle saw himself sncaking
before the Lord of worlds.
Sylvie laid out her simple creed.
1t was rope of only two strands:
1--WE look for better country through
Him who died for us. And though
no unclean thing may enter there,
He washes the unclean, making it fit
to enter"
1t penetrated Joe Trestle to the
quick. And. the deluge penetrated
To his bones.
Seems to me we're gettin swamped,
Sylvie! don't you feel as if you was
settin' in water ~
Yes" and with quick perception
its the run it's over the banks!"
And we're hived here on the low
side with an arm Of the stream 'twiyt
us and the bluff! was so drank l
forgot! Oh Lord, child, we're hem
med in by water!'
Sylvie began to cry fearfully! Joe
fondled her and felt courageous.
Holding hands they groped round
the tree such current washed their
ankles, they dared not venture far.
showed them they were
in the midst of muddy sea, the
voice of which filed their ears.
"We've got to climb for't!" said
Joe.
1t seemed hours before he got his
little girl above the gathering waves,
md hours again before bis lax mus.
les dragged after Ter. They sat on
/ sycamore limb, he gripping her 10
iim. and watched the waves through
lashes, like two refugees from Noah's
iood.
What is it about your better
,ountry?n asked Joe.
I'VE look for better country"
1t was n long night. His child
vas very heavy on his arm. They
we're both stupefed with chills, and
Joe was no wiser, no stronger, than
sylvie. He had weakened his flesh
md softened his courage but he held
IN, and the strong desire to save his |
hid cleared the mists of drink away. |
Wake up, grille" begged Joe of
he child, 'fraid this holler trunk is
,oing to be swept of. Did ye say We
lidn't like your good-for-nutbin
ather?"
Liked him. corrected Sylvie,
'linging feebly.
Lord bless my little 'sn a9d look
N 7l,asS '