The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-05-17
STORY OF A KEROSENE LAMP.
j. O F.
UnDcR. this. stone,
Lyes. BvRyD. one,
Wot. CUM. too. this. Damp,
DARK. GRAve. By. a LAMP.
81 Nnvvu iQcs

q NovKM. 1865.
On the borders of a country town there
is a graveyard; and whoever visited it ct q
certain hour on certain May afternoon
might have seen lank man examining its
tombstones through huge pair of specta.
Giles, and lingering at last with fascinated
gaze beside rough slab which tuppled
over its mound in drunken woe, and which
bore the inscription above recorded.
Now, truly, this is strangep' ex-
claimed the explorer. "sJ. 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 fluttering 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 vit@
hedge, and hopeful sigh arose.
GOOD day. said the lank explorer.
The stout man graciously responded.
flank mani: who was J. o. F. ~
(Stort man, pondering): "J.-O.-Fl
LOFT Wot! him O. the lampr'
"Ycs.''
Oh. yes; that's koorius, weryre
What's curious? ?"
That about j. O. F., what comes to
this damp, dark grave by lamp Ha,
ha, ha-a-a-ah!" tending with ecstatic
rumbling.) He, he, he-e-el Wants
lamp down there, like enough!"
(Lank mani: But, my good friend,
who Has j. o. Ff'
(Stout man, incredulously): Likely,
now, you've card tn ole thing!n
No. haven't heard any o. it. What's
1t all atoutY'
Well. you see. There, can't tell
You a. well as th'oman over yon in
th'ouse with green blines. She'll tell
you. She knows
WHATS her names How long has
she lived here ~
Names Grundell Amt lived here
never.n
There's ten cents. Are you mar
ried many"
Thanks, sir. No, lives by myself"
"Oh, you dol Then, there's twenty
i've. Good day." M
~ " nCAVQROl lduA Audu nGkAIuUlcu QOWu
hillside roughness, crossed road and .
meadow, and appeared at the door of q
small, weather. stained house, set up 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. 1873
:. Deliciousl" judged the lank man.:
shall want some more pretty soon.
May sit down on the doorstep ~
s. Yes sir; of coCrsel 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
6usannyf''
:. The very same Jones. y
Do tell Well, I'm glad TO know
you. Susanny's good girl. I'm lad
she's goin to have good man.
Thank YOUR said and bowed the
lank man and added, "i've just been
exploring among The tombstones. A man
over thnIe said yOu could tell me about
]. Q. = and The lamp. I'm curious to
know"
Nov, u this abrupt allusion the Old
lady seemed little startled, and tken
thoughtful, afterward replying that ahe
hadn't told that story for i've or nix yeess,
she fcck0ned.
Z You como in and take fhat rockin'.|
chair, and b kind o. comf'table. Amt |
Dist better, now, Mister Jones, than tha. !
wooden board r,