St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-11-12

ter, and think of all the flowers that
were livin' under the snow, without
feelin' sartin that the One that took
care of them would look out for us.
And l hope he knows 1 thought OF
him.
Did you see them dark blue flowers
that girl carried by just nOw7 Vi'lets,
l b'lieve they call 'em. Well, as we
rode along that day, every little hollow
in the snow was lined with Just that
color-a shimmering blue light, that
seemed to fill 'em with sort of glory.
You'd ought to see it, Sir.
There had been furry of snow the
night before and the road was pretty
well filled in. 1t took me longer to go
and come than I'd calculated Oh, and
tree was abont ready to fall. 1t shiv-
cred and trembled against the sky, as if
there was a thrill running all through
its great body. We had planned to cut
it soft would fall in a partly cleared
place, where the standin' timber WANT
good for much, and it was leanin' lit
tie mite in the right direction. The
men were all at safe distance, except
Gentleman Jim and another fellow
who were to give the death strokes. l
gave 'em the signal. The swift, sharp
strokes rang out, and we waited, wait
ed, holding our very breaths.
My Lord Just as the great top be-
gan to move some one gave loud cry /;
for right there on the edge of the great
clearing, on line with the topping
tree, were Jack EIliott's two children,
coming straight toward US, as careless
as could be! They had come up on the
crust to see the big tree go down.
Every man of US started on the run.
But what was the use? We were rods
away. Then Gentleman Jim bounded
forward like deer, caught those chill
dren, one at a time, aud with a mighty
effort, hurled them far out into the
snow.
And the great tree came down, down,
down, cleavin' the air with a swish and
a rush, like the sound of many wa
tiers.
Oh, no, he want killed, Sir; though
we all thought he must be. He lay on
his face where he had been knocked
down, with a great weight of green
boughs a-pressin' on him but he want
dead. 1t took us a long time to cut
away the branches. Then we carried
him into the house and laid him on the
bed in the little room that opened out
of the living-room.
He was alive and that was all. l
could just feel his heart beat. You
never see men so cut up. They crowd
ed into the outside room and stood with
their caps in their hands as if-as if
there was king dying in there. Jack
Elliott, he was a-cryin' like baby, and
the two children sat on log outside
the door, lookin' scared aud dazed.
They were old enough to understand
what had happened and how it hap
pened. Mrs. Sterile called 'em to her
pretty soon, and made 'em cuddle up
beside her under the buffaloes. She al
ways took to children.
Meanwhile one of the men had dash
ed down to the Mills to catch the first
train for Marquette. after the doctor.
But it would be hours before he could
get back. By and by Mr.. Sterile came
out of the bedroom.
"The house must he cleared, my
men," he said in a low voice. awe
must have air and quiet. You will all
go away but Judd" (that WAS me, Slr)
land Jack Elliott, and we will do the
best we can for the poor fellow"
We undressed him as carefully as
we could, and l own up that was as
tonished; though, as 1 said before,
had mistrusted all along that Gentle
man Jim WANT exactly a lumherman
born and bred. But Mr.. Sterile he look
ed puzzled enough.
The mans outside clothes were rough
and coarse. So were his fannels. Just
such as the rest of us wore. But under
meath 'em lie had on a shirt and pair
of drawers of soft white silk, fine enough
for the Queen of Great Britain. l took
notice of his feet. They nevel'd done
much bard trampin' before that winter.
Not d real hard callus onto 'em, and the
skin was as smooth and white! l lust
pointed to 'em and says L to Mr.. Sterile,
"Look a-here, Sir !"
Eyes, | see," said he. And then be
never spoke another word. Not one.
Mrs. Sterile came into the house and
Jack took his children home on the
sled and came back again. And then
we waited and waited. 1t must have
been four o'clock before he stirred or
made sound. Then he began to NUT
ter and whisper, and he seemed to be
feeling round after something. But we
couldn't make out word he said, al
though his hands flew round pretty
lively, and his face grew hot and his
voice was hOarse and strained. All the
time he was feelin' about over the bed
clothes and his own clothes.
Mrs. Sterile went up to him and put
her hand on his forehead. He drew it
down against his cheek and was qui-
ct for minute. But pretty soon he
was feelin' round again.
"Look in his pockets, WILL" she said
But there was nothin' in 'em he could
have wanted. His pocket book was
empty, as usual. 1t was pitiful 10 see
him, with his eyes fixed on her face and
his lips a-movin'. The little lady's eyes
filed with tears.
"Come here, WILL" che said to her
husband. "See that black ribbon un-
der his shirt. There's something hang
ing round his neck"
Mrs. Sterile took hold of the ribbon
and pulled out little oiled-silk bag.
Gentleman Jim gave cry when he see
it, and catchin' hold of it, lay as quiet
as lamb.
There" thinks to myself; "there
is where he keeps his money, and I'm
glad of it if he's going to be laid up.
and if he amt, there's his funeral" You
see, Sir, 1 knew how it would be with
myself, Sir. When l die l don't want
to he buried like no pauper. He drop
ped away again as soen as he got hold
o. the bag, and lay just like dead man
till the doctor came.
1t was old DR.. Porter. He looked at
Jim for full minute, lifting his eye
brows and shutting of his lips, before