The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-05-17
STORY OF A KEROSENE LAMP.
J. o F.
UnDeR. this. stone,
Lycs. BvRyD. one, ~
Wot- CUM. too. this. Damp,
Dark. Grave. BY. q LAMP.

On the borders of country town there
is graveyard and whoever visited it at q
certain hour on certain May afternoon
might have seen lank man examining its
tombs.ones through huge pair of specta.
cles, and lingering ct last with fascinated
gaze beside rough slab which toppled
over its mound in drunken woe, and which
bore the inscription above recorded.
" Now, truly, this is strangely ex.
claimed the explorer. 80 j. o. F.-1S65
Come TO this damp, dark grave by a
lamp Well, well! This must be in.
quired into!"
The lauk man made note, and solemn.
ly--as befitted the place-resolved to dive
to the bottom Of the mystery in case such
diving did not necessitate an underground
exploration. Where should he look for
facts? Upward? No! For though he
lifted eyes through fiuttering foliage to
calm sky the mystery was mystery still
Nor did his eyes find its solution as they
rOamed amidst mounds and the fresh
green of springtime. Presently he espied
stout fellow clipping the arbor vita
hedge, and a hopeful sigh arose.
"Good day." said the lank. explorer.
The stout man graciously responded.
flank mani: "Who was j. o. +. ~
(Stout man, pondering): "J.-O.-F!
J.-O.-Fl Wotl him o. the lampf'
"Ycs."
ooh. yes; that's koorius, weryl"
WHAT'S curiousy'
That about j. o. F., what comes to
this damp, dark grave by lamp. Ha,
ha, ha-a-a-ahr lending with ecstatic
rumbling.) He, he, he-e-el Wants
. lamp down there, like enoughr'
tLank mani; But, my good friend,
who ras j. o. Ff"
{Stout man, incredulously) Likely,
now, you've card tn ole thing!''
No, l haven't heard any Of it. What's
it all ahouts''
!" Well. you see. There, can't tell
you as well as th'oman over yon in
th'ouse with green blines. She'll tell
you. She knows"
" What's her names How long has
she lived here!''
Names Grundell. Amt lived here
never"
There's ten cents. Are you mar
ried many'
Thanks, sir. No, lives by myself, -
"Oh, you dol Then, there's twenty.
five. Good day.
Whereupon lank man scrambled down
hillside roughness. crossed road and q
meadow, and appeared at the door of q
small, weather-stained house, set MP be-
side sluggish stream in very lonely
place. A woman sat at an open window
White hair and wrinkles denoted many
years of human life, but bright eyes and
straight back revealed indOmitable youth.
fulness Of spirit. He asked for drink
of water. She brought it, sparkling,
clear and cool, from the great we'll in the
kitchen.
Delicious!" judged the lank mans
/" shall want some more pretty soon.
May sit down on the doorstep ~
!. Yes sir; Of counsel Seems to me /
see you in church Sabbyday -
Think likely. / was there. =
In james pew? Mebbe you're the
Mister Jones who's goin' to marry
8 The very same Jones'"
Do tell Well, I'm glad to know
you. SusanDy's I good girl. I'm Had
she's goin to have good man.
I" Thank y0up said and bowed the
lank man; and added, tive Just been
exploring among the t0mbetones. A man
over there said you could tell me about
]. o. =. and the lamp. I'm curious to
know.
Now, at this abrupt allusion the old
lady seemed little startled, and ten
!houghtful, efterward replying that she
hadn't told that story for i've or six year,
he rockoned. i,c
= You come in and take that rockln'
shalr, and Be kind o. comf'table. Ain't
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