Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1876-01-12

} Trestle's heart"
"And I've got little girl! AnG
that woman buses her! And
might be putin as good a house a:
any of 'em over her this minute
; instead of bein' like pig! There;
nothin' and nowhere's for us now ?
} he muttered to himself /; the child
caught his last words, and answer
ed, turning up quick face
"Yes, there's the better country y
The better country had siezed
strongly upon her imagination.
"Oh that amt for nobody but
religious folks, and they've got to
die on the square to get in. That's
nowhere for me!'
"Grandma Lane said," pro-
pounded Sylvie, rising to fer sub
ject and to her parents ear, "that
the better country's for the people
of God, them's whoever come to
Him !"
"Yes, I know, church folks.
They've had me up and tried to
religious me. But it comes on me
to drink and drink ! must! Wish
there was place where / could do
better ! I think thoughts, but that
didn't mend me. Amt clean
enough for this world, and what
show is that for gittin' into a bet
ter one p
Joe Trestle saw himself sneaking
before the Lord of Worlds
Sylvie laid her simple creed. 1t
was rope Of only two strands /:
"We look for better country
through Him who died for us. And
though no unclean thing may en-
ter 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 getting
swamped Sylvie! Don't you feel
as if you was settin' in waterl"
"Yes,"-and with quick precep-
ton. ";t's the Run, iVs so-a- the
banks -
"And we're hived here on the
low side with an arm of the stream
twixt us and the bluff I was so
drunk l forgot! Oh Lord, child,
we're hemmed in by water !"
Sylvie began to cry fearingly /;
Joe fondled her and felt courage
Gus. Holding hands they groped
around the trees such a current
washed their ankles they dare not
venture far. Lightning showed
them they were in the midst of a
muddy sea, the voice of which fill
ed their ears.
"We've got to climb fort I" said
Joe. 1t seemed hours before he
got his little girl above the gather
ing wave, and hours again before
his lax muscles dragged him after
her. They sat on sycamore limb,
he gripping her to him, and watch
ed the waves through flashes, like
two refugees from Noah's food.
"What is it about your better
country Z" asked Joe.
1--WE look for better country ~
1t was long night. His child
was very heavy on his arm. They
were both stupefed with chills,
and Joe was no wiser, no stronger
than Sylvie. He had weakened
his flesh and softened bis courage
but he held on, the strong desire to
save his child cleared the mists
of drink away.
awake up, grille" !" begged Joe
Of the little one nestled under his
wing, afraid this holler trunk is
going to be swept off ! Did ye say
ye didn't like your good-sor-nuth-
In father!"
"tiked him y corrected Sylvie,
clingiug 'eebly.
"Lord t..ess my little IN, and
look at r2e !"
A twi~t-a crack The Run
was flowing like a mill-dam
These two were alone-far from
help. People were 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, grille y breath
ed Joe.
ave look for q better"
Then the world came to an end
to these two; when breaking tim