Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-10-27


whispered, "here's your place next to
me. l don't want you down there with
those girls, for you'll talk and chatter all
night, and not be fit for thing in the
morning. Just slip off your frock there,
behind the curtain, ana put on your
double-gown, and I'll fix you"
So, like Christabel, cher gentle limbs
she did undress," so far as gown and
hoop went; and pretty soon, in her neat
gray wrapper, she was lying comfort
ably tucked up in the bed the prudent
mother had provided with pillow and
quilt. Sweet, musty smells filled the air
from the hay-covered floor The strag-
ling moon-rays, the Tapping curtain, the
chewing and champiug of the horses
tethered close by-all was odd and nov
ell. She could not sleep.
By,and-by the men came in, spread
their quilts and blankets, and subsidized
into repose. Good Elder Adams occu-
pied the end of the table nearest to
Lucys couch. His righteous slumbers
quickly became audible, and, peeping
round to look at him, Lucy saw pair
of eyes intently fixed upon her. A
strange thrill came over her brain as she
met them. Only the width of the mar
row table and the elders boots separat-
ed her from Kane! She blushed un-
comfortably and dropped her eyelids not
70 open them again; but, for long after,
fairy lights and visions seemed to dance
before her and trouble her repose.
At dawn the camp awoke. Small
chance was there for late sleeping Thin
blue smoke began to curl from early
fires. Horses whinnied for their corn.
Impatient hands waited to pack away
the beds and restore the tents to da y
time order. By eight o'clock breakfast
was eaten and dishes washed and white
haired Elder Adams took is place, Bib.
lie in hand at the head of the long table,
to lead in prayer. Lucy sat lust with,
out the door. The stiffness, the beauti.
ful peace of the new born day, seemed
reflected in her face. One golden beech
leaf futtered down, and lay upon hel
fair braids. Kane wasn't given to poe
try, but somehow line came into hi:
head as he looked -
oh. my Love is like the morningl"
He had read it somewhere and he thought
it was true-about Lucy.
At ten o'clock the changing bell an.
nounced general service, and the crowd
assembled. Truth to tell, it was not a
picturesque crowd. The American OF
the rural districts is rarely handsome
animal He is lean. He is brown. He
looses his teeth early. Hard work ano
soda soon transform the loveliness oi
youth into pallor and sharp outline.
| Salaratus claims his own. Here and
there one sees a sweet young face, or an
old one with fine, strong lines, deeply
cut and inscrutable, like carving in
stone but personal beauty is an excep-
ton. Beauty apart, however, we may
be proud of our multitudes. For de.
corum, for good humor, for general neat.
ness of appearance, for civility to strang-
ers, for a sense of propriety which al
most ranks as dignity, it would be hard
to find their parallel in any other coun-
try. AT this Cadiz camp-meeting even
the babies caught the spirit of the occa-
sion and sucked their thumbs contented-
ly throughout the service without a cry.
Thirteen ministers occupied the plat.
form. With able generalship the les
ser lights were first brought forward
leaving the greater for the third day
when the excitement was expected to
culminate. The sermon was quiet one
the wild and beautiful songs of the
Methodist hymnal blended with the soft
rustling of the trees above, and the
morning sped quickly away.
Great cheer was held in all the tents
at noon, and unlimited quantities Of pie
eaten fit preparation for after services.
Pie usually proceeds repentance, as pie.
eaters know. In the evening, under the
blaze of the harvest moon, Brother
Parker arose for the first time, A tall,
thin man, with a sallow, tender face and
emotional nature. His sermon was un.
usually fervid. A certain thrill moved
over the assembly, and, at its close, a
number of persons passed quietly and
without excitement into the anxious
seat, as candidates for the prayers OF
the congregation. Some we're parents
who carried their children thither: some
members of the church, who felt that
their faith had suffered decadence. All
were welcomed and rejoiced over by the
good brethren, and mention was made
of the fact that still there was room for
others, further urgency being held in
reserve for the next day.