The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-11-30

figure. We were very good friends, Jig
ger Jim and myself, and he had once sig
nitied his high appreciation Of our friend
ship BY presenting me with huge brass
button. His glee, when pinned this on
my dress like brooch, was indescriba-
BILE. This time he stopped in the road
and doffed his cap--a courtesy only ex-
tended to certain dignitaries Of the vii
lage on rare occasions. Jigger under
stood ssmanners, but deemed them too
good for ordinary use. He was in high
spirits, apparently; laughed his strange
cultural laugh, pointed to the moon
sparkling above US, then 10 his breast,
and was hugely pleased when indicat-
ed that the diamonds he had seen down
at the ball were like that Then, ele-
waiting his claw-likc fingers, he gave a
great leap, as If to grasp the serene
planet, and pointing to my shawl and
drapery, left me to infer that he would
like 10 see me bedizened with something
as lustrous as the moon and the dia-
monds. Smiling as the harmless fellow
weat his way, bethought me that il
was late, and began TO wonder why
Jacob did rot come back.
concluded, after a while, that |
would stroll down the road and meet
hint was SO solitary at the house,
and the night WAS so alluring. After
YOU passed certain turn of the road,
you came almost in sight Of the sea-
shore. A little earlier in the evening
you were apt to meet knots of young
folks here and there strolling up from
the hotels. But Mt this hour it was sol
itary and quiet. The water touched
the shore gently with soothing sound;
the beach stretched away white and
glittering, circling the blue water with
a grand sweep that curved out to the
misty distance, where silver veil only
seemed to intercept earth and heaven.
People said this was bleak and solita-
nv place in winter-time. Now ii was
rarely lovely. gave long. free
breath As looked. No wonder Jacob
fingered abroad on such night as this.
So smiling sweet was the scene that
forgot the weight upon my heart. and
wandered on aimlessly, childishly,
thinking of nothing but It's beauty. A
little way up, the dusk shadow of the
rocks cut sharply into the silver Of the
shore. could imagine that on stormy
days this place might wear forbidding
aspect. In old times it was said that
smugglers had lurked about those rocks,
hidden in their overhanging
lodges, and creeping TO their
cave in that very shadow. A
useful shadow it must have been to
them, said TO myself. How could any
one discern them as they lay there on the
sand watching for their boat? Peering
into the shadow with this thought on
nv mind, felt my heart for moment
almost cease beating, for there on the
sands, in that very shadow, man lay
asleep, apparently. The next moment
it occurred TO me that Jacob, wearied
out with his days work, had fallen
asleep down here. He had done 20
once before, poor fellow, though that
was before night-fall.
| approached very cautiously, think
ing perhaps he might be playing prac-
teal joke on me. as he used to do some
times in the old days.
But it was not Jacob. The sleeper,
whoever he was, was not so tall he was
slight. and elegantly dressed, apparent-
ly. but / went no nearer. Something
thrilled through me like an electric
shock--a weird and preternatural tele-
gram. This was the man whom Jacob
had pointed out 70 me. lying here prone
aud insensible. And where was Jacobs,
Then gathered courage and ap-
preached him. touched him with my
trembling hands, but he did not move.
1t was Death, then, keeping watch
by the moonlit shore--Death that had
lured me on to come down and meet
him here. terrible and face To face.
turned and fed down the sands, wildly,
with flying feet, to escape the vision Of
terror that chased me rs | went.
At my own threshold, stunned and
fainting, | sank upon the stepping-stone.
A figure standing in the doorway stopped
and lifted me up.
"Why, Mattel why, how l. this, my
lass? thought YOU safe in bed
/ Withdrew from the embracing
arms; | stood aloof, shivering and
gasping.
~ have been down down 70 the sea
Shore
"And something has scared the wee
woman said Jacob, in his most win
some and soothing tone. :. Well, rest
bit, rest bit. poor little BIRDIE
The sweetness and softness Of his
voice As he said these words seemed to
me like that ~ one who feels the hour
q eternal separation draw near. He
came toward me.
held up my hands bcscechingly.
= DO not come near me now, Jacob.
oh, not now. for | have secn--I have
seen 4 terrible sight down on the sands.
stephen Kisdale-n
jacobs face gathered color, his eve
shot fire. ibid BIC insult you, the viz
lamp he said
"lIc Il dead" ! answered, sharply
and suddenly.
"Deod K" repeated Jacob. ssOh. come
away. cnrnn nNnN Matiia. the NOON