The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-05-31
STAUNTON, VIRGINIA, MAY 81, 1877.
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waIsTI.ING In HEAVEN.

You're surprised that ever should say so?
Just wait till the reason I've given
Why say sha mt care for the music,
Unless there is whistling in Heaven.
Then you'll think it no very great wonder
Nor so strange nor SO bold conceit,..
That unless there's a boy there whtstl1ng,
The music will not be complete.
1t was late in the autumn OF 40;
We had come from our EASTERN home
Just in season to build us cabin.
Ere the cold OF the wiDter should come;
And we lived all the while in our wagon,
That husband was clearing the place
Where the house was to stand; and the clearing
And building it took many days.
So that our heads were scarce sheltered
In under its roof, when our store Ht
Ofprovisions was almost exhausted,
And husband must io9rneyfor more;
And the nearest place where he could get them
Was yet such o distance away,
That it forced him from home to be absent
At least whole night and Gay.
You see we'd but two or three neIghbors.
And the nearest was more than al AM MILF e.
For we had been busy the while;
And the man who had helped at the raising
Just staid till the job was well done;. sst
And as soon as the money was paid him,
Had shouldered his ak and had gone. 49,
Well, husband just kissed me and started.
At the thought OF Remaining with baby
So long in the house all alone:
For, my dear. was childish and tlm1d,
And Drawer ones might well have feared, +
For the wild wolf was often heard bowling,
And the savages sometimes appeared. +
But snothered my g,ief and my terror
Till husband was Of on his ride, ~
And then In my arms took Josey, -
And all the day long sat and cried.
AS thought OF the long dreary hours
When the darkness OF might should fall,
And was SO utterly helpless,
With no one in reach OF my call.
And when the night came with its terrors,
TO hide every ray OF light.
1 hung up guilt by the WINDOW,
And. almost dead with alright,
kneeled by the side OF the cradle,
Scarce daring to draw long breath,
Lest the baby should wake, and its crying
| should bring us horrible death.
There knelt until late in the evening.
And scarcely an inch had stirred,
When suddenly, far in the distance,
A sound as Of whistling beard.
started up dreadf9lly frightened
For fear twas ansInd1an's call;
And then very soon Remembered
That red man ne 'er whistle at all.
And when was sure twas white man.
thought we're he coming for ILL.,
He'd sure approach with more caution
rheo ot The Scum sounds Coming nearer and near,
Took the form Of a tune light and gay,
And knew needn't fear evil
From one who could whistle that way.
Very soon heard footsteps approaching
Then came peculiar dull thnmp,
As if some one was heavily striking
An AK in the top of q stump;
And then, in another brief moment,
There came light TAP on the door,
When quickly undid the astnlngS
And in stepped boy, and before
| There was either question or answer.
Or either had time to speak,
Just threw my glad arms around him,
And gave him kiss on the cheek,
Then started back, scared at my boldness,
But he only smiled at my fright,
As he said, i'm your neighbor's boy, Flick.
Come to tarry with you through the night.
'sWe saw your husband go eastward,
And made up our mind where he'd gone,
And said to the rest OF the people,
THAT woman is there all alone,
And venture she's awful lonesome,
And thought she might have no great fear,
| I think she would feel a bit safer
If only q boy were but near. ut.
"so, taking my ak on my shoulder.
For fear that q savage might stray
Across my path, and need scalping.
1 started right down this way;
And coming in sight OF the cabin.
And thinking to save you alarm,
whistled tune, just to show you
didn't intend any harm.
And so am here at your service;
But if you don't want me to stay,
! Why, all you need do is to say SO;
= And should'r ring my ak, I'll away
4 dropped in a chair and near tainted,
Just at thought Of leaving me then,
nd his eye gave knowing bright twinkle
AS he SAID, II guess I'll remain"
Al i'd then just sat there and told him
] low terribly frightened I'd been,
Ho w his face to me was the most welcome
Otany ever had seen;
And then lay down with the baby
And slept all the blessed night through,
For felt was safe from all danger
Ne " SO brave young fellow and true.
So no W, my dear friend, do you wonder,
Sine e such a good reason I've given,
Why 1 say sha'n't care for the music
Unle IS there is whistling in Heaven?
Yes, of Ten I've said SO in earnest,
And now what I've said repeat.
That un less there's a boy there awhistling,
Tho m .uSic will NOT he complete. 81.