The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-01-16

patch was ever composted in Ireland. and when
that gallant youth was freed from his unpleasant
position he found his pockets inli 10 distention.
Cordon's com panions took him of like fallen
hero and carried him sadly 20 the house After
they had washed and dressed him in his fathers
best brOadcloth suit Gordon sat up in the chair
and read the family bible to the pious group As
IL happened he reading the parable Of the eve
lamb which gave King David such a hacking.
decrepit old man who was IN his dOtago chanced
10 be stopping there that day, and he fell 10 DOING
while Gordon read. This did not please the ardent
youth any too well, and at last he admonished the
old man 70 sit cp and listen 70 The reading" -,
away about them little ewe-lanbs.n In moment
the old man was DOING again. This was too much
for Gordon; up he Jumps and lays down the
book. remarking at tho same time: "Demme
boys, but I'll hx the old fellow" Taking down the
power horn, he busted the old man 2 halr ali iuIl
Of powder. and then gently twisted in piece Of
paper for a slow match In A moment there was
hzz and tash, and the old mans head was as
bald as il a. barber had lathered aud shaved it
with one exception, the black remains Of the pow
der, which still reeked his bare skull. Gordon.
seeing this, and go5 lump Of goose grease,
which he deposited on the old mans crown. The
heat OF the powder -grmed skull melted the grease
which joined affinity with the SCOT and ran IN
streams over his face and neck At this luncture
the rest OF the family came I'm. ami the father in
stautv taking in the situation seized "A stuut cud-
gel and made for the iTrepressible Gordon. That
innoceD; youth With loud urUte,rattOps cleared
himself Of the blame and laid IL on his brother
George, who, seeing there would De no use in eX-
postulAtiOn, scrambled up stairs and mp into the
loft. pulling the ladder after him. Knowing that
the old gentleman would not be put of by tribes,
he EOt into bed and laid the ladder on The top,
L
man. with a vast amount Of pulling and scolding,
last made his way into the loit. when be Iost nc
loud cries and groans wonld still reiterate that he
would never do il again, while the old man whack
ed away Justify on the covered ladder, now and
then shouting through. his cieucLel teeth: 'I'I
teach ye, ye villain, 10 burn the skull OF limo
cent old man - At last the old gentleman was
appeased, and went down stairs leaving George
much relieved and free 70 crawl out from under the
ladder.
Gordon and his compcers enacted many another
such scene, but We VIII leave them for the present
know OF some gray haired old men still living
VINO could doubtless recall the day when they rode
the bull Ia farmer E--'s paEture-held. Youthful
spirits must ind their way cut. like powder from
rock ana that was one oi the merry avenues
On another occasion three PtOus Presby teriaus
had been All day at a fair. and as was then and
there the custom, they had all partaken pretty
freely Of What maketh glad the heart OF man.
As u CHANGED that day good shower OF rain cam,
ohl IN tne morning dTcnchlng every BODY 70 the
skin. Nothing dauntcd, however, our three hcroe
trudsed along through the pour OF rain TIL they
came TO a bare hill which had recently been plowel
aid narrowed. Here they made lateral move
ment from the road till they reached the very
summit OF the rain-beaten. mud-colored activity
when they sat leisurely down and quietly took of
their hats. All this time the rain was pOurinl
down IN perfect torrents. while a hundred muddy
rivulets rOared and rushed down the hill on ever
side. Our three worthics, having their cary train
ing loosened up by the rvc. commenced To lire on
psalm. line 6y line. aud sung it win the mos
vehement melody. There they sat-hats Of. pour
ing rain. muddy hills-completeIy muddled sing
Ing psalms with maudlin earnestness Rnd steam
ing and putting with inward ieryor what Il sigh
they did present.
Recolect that il wa customary for everyone .,
IA ke a glass IN those days; 70 the three bOozl
3 friends had done nothing rcprehcnsiblc. whil
their actions showed the bent Of their incn0tiOns
. 4 neighbor happened 10 pass while they were "a
their unique rehearsal. and he often iterward tOl,
+ the story with great unction. "Heth. man quot
he, always when finishing his story. had y
heerd the melody o. EtchisOn.''
Better Christians or better men than these SAM
three could not be found in that country nor coul
their supCriors probably be found by searching an
country on the globe; yet, a. the poet Burns Ia
IT, almost any man is at times liable to ''randOu
fits O. dafhn." Stili zone swallow does not max
summer neither does one act make a character
. LOEETTo. Jan. C. lss1. A. u. Il