The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-03-06
in spite of Mrs. Brandt's kindly warn

ing.
i can't stop, ma'am; the .ettin
round 'ud kill me-
The answer came at last, o busi
ness.like epistle, addressed to Joel
Mrs. Brice had left Plattsville abou
the time designated Several of be-
neighbors remembered that a stran
ger, well dressed man, had been al
the house for nearly week before
her departure, and the two had gone
away together, taking the western
train. The writer regretted his in
ability to give further Information
and closed with kindly inquiries con
eerning his former employees health,
and earnest concentrations of hin
to Mr.. Brandt.
Joel read the letter aloud, some
thing-some sturdy uprightness o.
his own, no doubt-blinding him tc
its significance.
viii you read it again, neighbor
for Pm not over quick
The mans voice was q revelation
full Of an unutterable hurt, like the
cry of some dumb, wounded thing.
And Joel read it again, choking
with indignation at every word.
Thank ye neighbor. I'll trouble
you to write q line thankin' him
that's all.
He got up heavily, staggering a
little as be crossed the floor, and
went out into the yellow sunlight.
There was the long, sun kissed slope,
the huge pile of twisted roots, the
shanty with its clambering vines.
The humming of bees in the sage
went on drowsily. Life, infinitely
shrunken was still life. A more eul.
tured grief might have swooned or
cried out This map knew no such
refuge; even the relief of Indignation
was denied him. None of the thous.
and wild impulses that come to men
smitten like him fitted across his
clouded brain. He only knew to
take up his burden humbly and go
on. If be had been wiser could he
have known more ?
No one spoke of the blow that had
fallen upon him. The sympathy that
met him came in the warmer clasp OF
hard hands and the softening OF
rough voices, none the worse certain
ly for its quietness. Alone with her
husband, however, Mrs. Brandt's
wrath bubbled incessantly.
It's crying, burning, blistering
shame, Joel, that's what it is! |
suppose it's the Lords designs, but i
can't see through it
'Ifthe Lords up to that kind o.
business, Barbara, l don't see no fur
ther use Of the DEVIL was the dry
response. Joel's religion was as
free from any theological timidity as
child's, and qaite as simple.
These plain, honest folks never
dreamed of intruding upon their
neighbor's grief with poor sugges-
tions of requital. But this mans
hurt was beyond the jurisdiction OF
any court. Day by day the hollow
cough became more frequent and the
awkward step slower Nobody
asked him to quit his work now.
Even Mrs. Brandt shrunk from the
patient misery of his face when idle.
He came into the kitchen one even
ing, choosing the old quiet corner,
and following her with his eyes 81
lently.
is there anything lacking, Brice p
The woman came and stood beside
him, the great wave of pity in her
heart swelling up to her voice and
eyes.
Nothing, ma'am, thank ye. I've
been thinkin',' be went on speaking
more rapidly, than was bis wont, AN
| dunno. You've known NV people
gettin' wrong in their minds, l s'pose.
They wus mostly smart KNOWN
chaps, wusn't they p the low, monot-
onous voice growing almost sharp
with earnestness. Il reckon you nev-
er knowed of any one not over bright
gettin' out of his head, ma'am'
L wouldn't think o. them things,
Brice. Just go on, and do your
best, and if there's any good, or any
right, or any justice, you'll come ont
ahead; that's about gil we know,
but it's enough if we stick to it,
Il reckon you're right ma'am.
Pears sometimes tho as if anything
'ud be better than the thinkin'.'
Happily it all came to an end one
afternoon. Brice was at work on the
ditch again, preferring the cheerful
companionship of Joel and Bert Fox
to his own thoughts, and Mrs. b. vas
alone in her kitchen. Two shadows
fell across the worn threshold, and a
weak, questioning voice brought the
good woman to her door instantly.
Good day, to you, ma'am. Is there
q man named Driee livin' nigh here
1t was q womaD's voice, woman
with some bits of tawdry ornament
about her, and q round-eyed boy
bashfully ID her skirts.
Mrs. Brandt brought them into the
house, urging the stranger to rest a
bit and get her breath.
Thank you, ma'am I'D like to be
movin' on. Do you know if he's
well-the man Brice? We're his
wife and boy
The woman told her story present
ly, when Mrs. Brandt had induced
her to wait until the Inen came home
told it with no unnecessary words,
and her listener made no comment.
My brother came a week atore
we was leavin' and he helped US off
and came as far as Omaha. He'd
done well out in Nebrasky, and he
give me right smart o. money when
be left; l was took::sick on the road
| disremember jest where-and they
left me at a town with q woman
named Dixon. She took care of me.
| was out of my head and when l
come to l told them to write to Brice,
aud they writ, and ! reckon they took
the name of the place from the ticket.
| was weak, like for long spell,
and they KEEP written and no word
came, and then / recollected about
Il ~ xo-o - xuoa To- Ar-~1~o - a.