The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-12-27

were upon him at once. lis hundred arms
were Topped from his body. His life-blood sank
into the thirsty earth. The place that knew
him in his pride knew him nc more As fast
as the logs were ready, chains were passed
around them, the oxen were harnessed to them.
and they were drawn To designated spots. aud
arranged in orderly piles. When Alice Win
fhrop came down 30 the sield with dozen girls
shout her OWN age. and looked ort of her great
brown eyes upon the strange scene. what
splendid feats of strength were done! With
what magnificent grace these men moved now
who were so awkward in the house! and how
Jim Barker hated young Wrinkle for shoulder
ing an immense log with such apparent ease,
Once in a while a couple of the youngsters
got into a wrestling match. Then rest was
declared for five minutes to watch the throw.
During the incoming there were several of these,
and Jim Barker had sef-to with young Wrinkle
which was more than half in earnest 1t had
leaked ont somehow that the former was very
much interested In the rev family, or in part
Of it st least, and Winlle had iokingly offered
TO "cut him out" Now, Jim was in that mis-
erable state of uncertainty when the mere sug-
gestion of such a possibility made him wofully
unhappy; and ii may be doubted whether
Wrinkle ever got such toss IN his life as jim
gave him that day-all in sport, though, of
course.
When night fell the circuit preacher, Metho-
dist South, declared that the field was ready
for the Lords vineyard. Nothing but a few
stumps remained TO impede the course of the
ploaghman. The underbrush was burning
from dozen fires. In single day, in a
hearty western fashion. work had been done
which one person must have labored at for
months. In the house the gossips had had a
session of rare comfort When all came to-
geiher at supper. it was a season of great mer
rimeGt; bnt af5er while the young people be-
gan to get restless. There was a coed deal of
whispering, and some haif-suppresSed secret
seemed on the wing When the preacher rose
TO go, there was "a general expression of regret.
The whole assemblage escorted him and his
family TO their wagon; but he had not driven
three hundred yards before there was an un-
mistakable sound of danee-music in the air.
The good man NageNed moment and then
drove straight home, and never heard it.
The wind had changed TO the south early in
the day. and theFain now began TO fall; butin
the loft Sandy Baliou was mounted on a nail
keg, and wss fddling as if his life depended on
mis- zeal. What pieeen-wings were cut! What
pressure Of hands was exchanged when Sandy
authorized aiamande left What maddening
whirls when he called, Swing partners J" The
rain came down in torrents 1t seemed as if
the reservoirs of the heavens had given way.
About u O'Clock a wsgon-load who had started
for home came back and repoTthed portions OF
the road cayed in by the creek. The darkness
vas almost palpable. Ii was unsafe to venture
ont. There was nothing to be done but TO
make night OF it. S2ady Ballou started in
afresh ta fiddle till daylight. A new relay OF
candles was lighted. Some Of the older folks
went TO the house, and took turns at getting a
little sleep. But the younger heels knew no
rest. Antique oouatry-daHces that had not
been seen Tor generations were Tesuscitated.
Sandy was king. and his brain seemed store
LC9se of forgotten figures.
During the afternoon jim Barker had picked
bunch Of 6elicate nenophiias and handed
1aem TO Alice Winthrop saying, Ny fate goes
with these flowers
The senior Barker had observed this action,
and was rot slow in drawing his conclusions
whensater in the evening, the fair Puritan
appeared with the dainty oGeringon her bosom,
and Jim had ali awkward expression of uncon-
tanabls happiness. A little after 4 O'Clock
horses were barResSed, aud as jim helped his
father into the wagon TIE latter said, inter-
negatively, Weil?"
Bnt Jim kept his eyes resoluteiy toward the
east. aud answered, The dawn is just break
ing
Whereupon Uncle Billy whipped up hi:
horses, sld responded, quizzically, Yes, Jim
/ pose 1t is.''-cbqrles Phelps, Ia Harper's.