The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-05-11

my Wishes anu uo6lIoo W lag 49, PSA $3.50
win, and to shield him in all things,
right, or wrong, from the severe judg-
ments of our father. look back now
with a feeling of admiration for the
lonely little Dot, only 7, with her long,
tawny braids and great eager eyes, 50
true to her boy hero.
OF course the familiar expression that
minister's children are worse than any
other had oft been repeated before us,
and as people expected us to be little
heathens we tried hard MOTIF disappoint
anv one. Lessons on the total depravity
administers children in general, and we
two in particular, were as daily 1000 T?
us. We knew that we were very Cad,
but We managed to be quite comfortable
for such terrible sinners.
Among fathers few worldly goods was
a beautiful horse, fleet as the wind, and
the pride of his heart. Jamie had often
taken me with hun to the pasture to
to lead "Flighty" backward and for
ward. And ON rare occasions, when We
had gained permission to drive short
distances for father, we had grown bold
and heightened our drive, always re-
ceiying punishment for our boldness,
but counting it well worth whipping
to hold the reins and feel the air rush
against our faces as Eighty sped down
the street. One summer morning that
shown out clear as crystal father spoke
of the day as we'll fitted for shopping in
Cleveland, a few miles distant, and as
he spoke of train time to mother an
nounced his intention of going by rail.
Oh! the winks, and mods, and sly mo-
tions that told tho story so plainly to me,
and how helpful we grew; of their COM
fort how solicitous. AT last, with terri.
BILE warning of wrath to be visited upon
US if we ventureds to dlsobey any OF
down the track, with the futtering PEN
mons of smoke reckoning gayly to us.
Racing back through the grassy lanes,
tossing books and states into fence
corner, with my pink sunbonnet
on top of the pile, Jamie crowned
my tawny braids with his sailor
hat, and, calling me a jolly tar.
helped me to pack our lunch. Before
kind sister H.. who would come and get
dinner, and mount guard over the par
sonage, could reach there, we had packed
our baskets, liarnessed our beautiful
Eighty to the carriage, and were off for
day in the woods. Oh! the dinner in
the Old Maids Kitchen, cave to be
found on the banks of the Cuyahoga
river, famous now as the Switzerland OF
America. The long drive down the road
that stretched away in the distance like
a silver wire. The depths of cool living
green, that lay like shadow in a bar
rem land. The moss, the violets, the
new sounds we heard. the new visions
The Ia1snso,,o oo11raco oT a.
spring we discovered. The dreams we
dreamed of the future. Oh! that sum-
mer day. AS it waned we collected our
treasures, and, christening Flighty from
the tree where she had been made safe,
we led her to the carriage, and deposit
ing our burdens we drove gaily home
ward. Runaways we were, but philoso-
pliers as we'll. for we put the fact of our
awaiting punishment as far from our
thought as possible. We expected to be
whipped, but did not intend to suffer
the sting twice, once in dreading and
talking about it, and again in actual pain.
AS we sped along through the summer
evening we decided thst life was worth
the living-"the game we'll worth the
CANDLE"
Did we feel presentiment that our
placid enjoyment of this delightful wick
edness was soon to end, that we finished
our otherwise quiet sort of disobedience
by racing through the Village streets,
huzzaing like young Indians, and pass
low if they could. Eighty was a thor
oughbred and perfectly trained. She
kept her head beautifully, or my story
might have another ending. AS we
drove up to the gate with grand -four
ish the whistle of the train in the dis
lance warned us that our hour of reck-
| oning was close at hand. After tea I
was invited to the study and questioned
| az to the days wickedness. I answered
respectfully, and after being reprimand-
ed, was banished to my room. Soon af-
ter heard fathers heavy step in the
hall and Jamie's light FOOTBALLS following.
Leaning far out of my gable window, I
watched them enter the barn. It was
glorious star-lit night, and the silvery
Wilderness of the moonlight wrapped the
world in its spell. Once I thought I
! heard the pleading voice of my brother.
could hear no more, and slipping out
into the hall, stole downs stairs and out
needed, for, both front and rear doors
being open, the moonlight lay in great
bars, white and translucent, giving wierd
| brilliance to the space of floor, and leav-
ing the corners i'll shadow. Creeping
through the rear door stood notion
less, watching with wondering eyes the
scene painted on my memory as
clearly as ifyears had not dimmed the
ire of those luminous eyes, or bowed
with weight of care the proud uplitted
head. Father was standing where the
light of the lantern, suspended from the
beam above, fell full on the hair Just
tineed with gray and brou2ht into re-
lief the massive forehead and stern blue
eye. His mouth was quivering strange
ly, and the hand that held the carriage
whip seemed shaking with irresolution.
For tho first time in my remembrance
father hesitated to do what he considered
his duty, and met the fearless glance of
ness on his strong old face as had
never seen there.
| flames, my son, do you remember
my commands this morning?"
Eyes, ST."
"You remember the penalty of your
disobedience?"
"Yes, sir"
"You know that you must suffer it, do
you not?"
Eyes, SIR"
ssTake off your jacket and your vest"
Jamie obeyed, hung them on peg,
and came back to his position with q
hard, sullen expression on his face that
showed q spirit to be won, never COM
PEELED by blows. Perhaps father saw
this, for his hand failed to fallin pun.
ishment and his great strong arm stole
around the boys shoulders and folded
him closely to fathers side.
Jamie! Jamie! my lad, why do you
| 1yorr ol3 fo<bn,