The National tribune., 1881-01-01
Waiting for the Grst.

at is strange" said gslten,p who sat next to me
In the aud with whom had struck up quite ac-
quaintauce, "whst influence look, word, or the
little act of perfect stranger will sometimes have upon
person
It the simple act of stranger that changed the
whole course of my life.n
Indeed How SOP"
"When was boy my father moved to the then Far
West-Oaio 1t was before the DAYS of steam and no
great mills thundered her river banks but occasion
ally there little grist mill by the side of small
stream and hither whenever the up the whole
neighborhood hocked with their sacks OF First
come first served Sometimes had to wait two or
three days for turn. generally the one sent
from house, for waie small be of much
account on the farm. | was gaod to carry a
grst to mill So not at all surprised morning
when my father said, Henry you can get up old
and go to mill to day.
Saunders mill ten miles away but had made
the trip often that 1t did not far. believe one
becomes attached To old mill than any other
building can see just how it looked az it stood there
under the ycamores with its huge wheel and rough clap
board sides.
"When arrived found the North Branch and Rocky
Fork folks there ahead of me, and knew there was no
hope of getting home that day but all sorry
for my basket well filled with provisions and Mr.
Saunders always opened his big barn for to sleep in
SO it unpleasant time we had while waiting for
grist This time there was an addition to the
Der that had in the habit of gathering time to
time, in the old Saunders barna young fellow about my
own age probably little older. His was Charley
Allen and his father had bought farm on the
Brush Creek road. He sociabls and friendly, but
nstncvely feat that he had more manners than the
of us. The evening spent usual, in relating
coarse jokes and playing cards. Although was ac
customed such things at home, had become used
that it had long since ceased to shock and in
deed was fast becoming very interested spectator.
"sWell, boys, it is time for fellers go to roost
said Jim Finley, of the greatest roughs the Rocky
Fork he threw down his pack of cards and began
undress We all followed his example, although was
not much undressing we did To sleep on the hay NOW
but we busy with affairs that we did not
notice Charley Allen until Jim exclaimed, Heydey I
we We got parson here we hev Charley kneeling
by the oats bin praying Jim Finey's jest met with no
response The silence was only broken by the drowsy
cattle below and the twitterng swallows overhead More
than rough man wiped tear from his eyes he
silently to his bed the hay. had always been
in the habit of praying at home but thought of
such n thing at Saunders Mill AS | laid awake that
night in the old barn thinking of Charley Aliens cour-
age aud what effect it had upon the men, firmly
solved that in the future would do right. / little
thought how my courage would be tested. Just
after dinner got gris and started for home. When
arrived at AlbrighGs gate, where turned off To go
home, found the old squire waiting for saw in a
moment that something had gone wrong had always
he the rich of the neighborhood aud felt
my heart begiuning beat very fast As
he saG, Did you 60 through this gate yeserdays
could easily have denied it, as it WAS before daylight
when went through and quite as often went the other
way Charley Alea kueeling in the barn came 10 my
mind like lsh, aud bsfore had time TO listen TO the
tempter said, Yes, sir did
So Are you sure you shut and pinned the gateF he
asked.
This question staggered me. Iremsmbered distinctly
that did not could pull tho pin out without getting
off my horse but could not put it in again care
lessly rode away and left it open.