Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-11-22
force that made the little teapot dance


ror and surprise. He had often seen
him angry, had often felt the weight Of
his rugged hand; but why should his
simple request that he would accom-
pany him to meeting be received in
such spirit? His father was willing
he should go. Why would he not join
him?
With these questions the boy puzzled
his brain in vain. He could not answer
them. And meantime supper was fin
ished, the table cleared away, the dishes
washed, and old Jim had filled and lit
his after supper pipe. Then he spoke
again:
"Jim, ye may think yer father a
about the meetin' house. I've no grudge
agin the minister. He's likely man,
all I've seen O him. Nor agin Miss
Burt. She's done you a heap O good.
But it's the doctrine Jim it's the doe
trine | can't stand. They preach about
Jesus Christ a-dyin fer poor sinners.
about Gods lovin' the world. An then,
when l was poor an sinner, their God
showed his love fer me by takin' yer
mother away from me- As true wo-
man an as good as ever lived, boy. An
it enamost broke my heart when she
put you in my arms, an said, Good bye,
jim! Take good care O the baby for
me, JIM an shut her eyes an died. 1t
enamost broke my heart to lose her.
An when old Deacon Gray stopped
selling whiskey, down in the cellar of
his good religious store, long enough to
come up here after the funeral and try
to comfort me, | showed him the door
mighty quick, an told him never to
climb the hill to the dams agin while |
lived An | guess he never has. No,
jim, the doctrine is the trouble. Meet
in may be well enough fer you; but it
don't fit with me, nohow [ amt got
the larnin' to pray to God that never
hears the poor, an takes the only sweet
thing a man has out O his life
While his father was talking, little
jim was very quiet, and when the old
man resumed his pipe the boy moved
as though he would answer him, but
did not.
After short silence, old Jim spoke
again.
BLACK Brooks was discharged for
thieving again to-day. He's bad fel-
low that When Harmon gave him his
walkin' papers, he was mad as a panth-
er, and told him he'd be revenged on
him and the mill-owners too. An then
the overseer ordered the watch doubled
tonight For that rascal would as soon
burn the mills and town as look at EN-"
"Do ye mean Tom Brooks, as used to
live here with you, father?" asked jim.
Yes, that's the chap. He was un-
der watchman here awhile, years ago.
But twas too dull fer him, an he quit,
an got inter the mills. He's done moth
in but drink an spend his nights out
ever since; an stealing's been his trade
morn spinning, too, | guess, these last
years"
The round clock that hung over the
mantle struck 9. That's bedtime, an
I'm going, Father said little Jim, ris-
ing. " Do ye want me to do anything
afore | go?"
No, | guess not, child " said the old
man, looking around. Have ye filled
the lantern on the watch-pole?'
Yes, filled it this afternoon, re-
piled jim. But We don't think yell
need it, do We, Father?' he continued.
The dam amt agoin' to bust, is it?,
"Oh, | guess not Rut | want that
lantern always ready to light. If any
thing should happen, it's the only warn.
in the town-folks have. But it's all
right and ready, ye say; so off to yer
bed Goodnight, an sleep we'll.
Goodnight, Father" And the child
! a. l. j., hot l,,1 - 1o
bed in the loft. Shortly after the light
of his candle shone through the cracks
of the uneven floor overhead, and the
murmur Of his sweet voice fell upon old
Jim ears, as he sat still smoking be
low The tone reminded him of the
boy mother, dead long years ago; and
he took the pipe from his lips to listen
The words that crept through the floor
were strange ones; but they came as a
sweet memory to the waiting heart, fol
she used to read them And old Jim's 5
head fell upon his hands. "Our Father
who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy
name
Lower and lower burned the log fire
upon the hearth, DINNER and DINNER
grew the candle upon the little table
The great shadows danced gayly upor
the smooth pine floor, or chased each
other fittingly across the low wall
The cold stars one after another peepeo
through the narrow window, as they
climbed the great sky-ladder, and the
ripple and swash of the water in the
mighty dam without filled the house
with its weird murmur. An hour pass
ed, and the clock struck ten. At the
sound the old man arose. lit his lantern
and prepared for his last visit to The
water-gates before retiring. AS he op
ened the door and gazed out into thu
dim night, he thought he saw a CLEAN
of light from below the dam. Was it
light, or or only the reflection of his Ian
tern?"
With quick step he moved dow
the path toward the wall, peering sharp
ly before him, when suddenly his foo
struck rolling stone, he stumbled
grasped at bush, missed it, and fel
, heavily, extinguishing his lantern.
All! that miserable knee! he groan
, ed, as he attempted to rise, and failed
81 can't get up. jim! Little JIM
The house was but a few rods dis
tant, and the cry had scarcely rung ou
through the still air when the boy wa
, at the window in the loft. " What Is II
Father? Have you fallen? Are yo
hurt?"
Not hurt much, I guess. But com
} here and help me up" replied old jim
Within three minutes his son was a
! his side, and, having assisted him to hi
feet, they slowly walked back to tn
, cottage, carrying the broken lantern.
, When the watchman had seated hin
: self before the fire again, he said: '
can't go to the gate tonight, Jim, fc
. that was bad wrench | gave my kne
t I want to know just how high the wate
: is, an to have the gates shet. Will yo
a go? Kin YEP
eyes, indeed answered the bo.
\ springing up and seizing his cap. "
J, don't need any light. I'll be back in
$ minute an half" And out of til
q house he darted, and down the rugge
path.
n The night was clear, and the chill
a could easily perceive the objects abor
0 him. Out upon the walls he ran towar
/. the levers that shut the great gate
e closer yet, when just beneath him an
e upon the bottom of the second dam,
n which the water was very low, he saw
o CLEAN of light. Instantly he stoppe