The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-08-08

And now, boy.' ssid the trapper
With Z s~sssly solemn eushhsiasm,
such q faith might give to supplica-
ting saint-which lighted his features
until his countenance fairly shone
with . light which came out Of it,
rather than upon 1t, from the sun over
head-'now, boy, remember that the
Lord IL Lord of the woods, as we'll 81
Of the cities, and that He hesreth the
prayin' Of the poor hunfer under the
pines, a. we'll as the preachers in the
pulpits, and that when sins be heavy,
and death be nigh, His ear and His
heart be both open.' a
The trapper kneit on the moss at
the gamblers feet. He clasped the
fingers of his great hands until they
aud lifted his sWrinkled
face upward. He said not word ;
but the strongly chiseled lips. scanned
with age, moved and twitched now
and then, aud as the silent prayer went
on, two great tears leave the protec.
ton of the closed lids, and rolled
down the rugged cheek. The gamb-
Ter also closed his eyes then bis hands
quietly stole, one into the other. and,
avoiding the bloody stain, rested on
his breast aud thus, the old man
who had lived beyond the, limit Of
mans day, aud the young one, cut
down at the threshold of mature life
the one kneeling on the emosses, with
his face turned toward the same sky,
without word or uttered speech, pray
ed to the Divine mercy which beyond
the heaven and the sky saw the two
men underneath the pines, and met,
we may not doubt with needed ans
wer the silent upgoing prayer.
The two opened their eyes nearly at
the same instant. They looked for a
moment at each other, and then the
gambler feebly lifted his hand and
put 1t into the broad palm of tho trap
per. Not . word was needed. Some
times men understand each other bet.
ter than by talking. Then the gamb-
Ter picked the diamond stud from the
spot where il rested.' slipped the soil
taire from his finger, and said, as he
handed them to the trapper!
There's girl in Montreal that will
like these. You will find her picture
inside my vest when you bury me-
Her address is inside the picture case
You will take them to her John Nor
ton p
She ehall have them from my OWL
hand, answered the trapper graveiy.
You needn't disturb the picture
John Norton said the gambler, 'it's
just as we'll perhaps, to let 1t lie wher'
it is; it's been there eight years' Yor
understand what / mean old man !?
II understand answered the trap
per solemnly; the picture shall stay
where it is.'
'The pistols, resumed the gamble
aud he glanced at the one lying on th'
moss. Il give to you. You'll find then
true. You will accept themT
The trappsr bowed his head. 1t i
doubtful whether he could speak. Fo
several minutes there was silence
The end was evidently nigh. Th
Etrapper took the gamblers hand, as
it had been the hand of his own boy
Indeed. perhaps, the young man ha'
found his father at last; for surely
i isn't Aesh that makes fatherhood
Once the young man moved as IL b
would rise. Had he been able b
would have died with his arms roun
the old mans neck. As It was, tn
strength was unequal to the impulsI
He lifted his eyes to the old man
face lovingly; moved his body as
he would eet . little nearer. and, as
child might speak loving though
aloud, said. Il am. glad met yol
John Norton and with the saying {
the sweet words he died.