Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-24

So sang clear voice, with more Of ma
ture than cultivation in it. Perhaps there
was more Of conviction and acquiescence
in Il than Of music.
Whether there be such thing as "luck"
or moi, it is certain that careless Guy Craw-
ford had found life very good and the
world very pleasant while taking ''what-
ever the gods had sent him.
The scene was scarcely calculated to
stimulate one to musical efforts. Over
head were the wet and dropping branches
OF the trees. under foot the soaked soil,
and all around the dreary moan Of the
raln-Iaden wind.
The rain had fallen all day long in an
almost silent torrent. As evening came
on II had lessened a little. while the wind
had increased in power. The world SEEM
ed now one dreary, vacant realm OF night
and storm.
But Guy Crawford, wet and weary. cold
and in darkness, alone and lost, tramped
sturdily on and as he pressed forward he
sang. over and over again:
.Then TO take whatever the god. may send.
Putting to scruples and doubts an end,
Il the only sensible way. ny friend"
Guy Crowford had left the little railway
station at noon. He expected his friend
there to meet him, but he had been disap
pointed. Asking the station-master for
directions he sat out on foot for his desti-
nation.
Il involved walking 20 miles; but he
said TO himself that he liked walking.
II rained; but rain was better than heat
and dust.
Guy Crawford readily met each objec-
tion which came up in his mind. His
friend would send for his baggage, he said
70 himself; his friend could lend him dry
clothes when he arrived his friend would
have . warm welcome for him.
Guy would have laughed at being
thought more than moderately sensible
young man. Blu. the man who let the
brighter featurers OF his past and the dear
or hopes OF his future shut down so near
together in his mind as to make the pres
ent almost unreal, was philosopher
whether he knew it or not.
When night had fallen. Crawford real
lied that he was lost. He believed it
might be midnight now; he could only
dimly discern objects about him; he had
notseen'a human face or a. human habitation
for hours
But he sang. nevertheless, as we have
said, and In the song one side Of his char
uCtcr btOOu July Tcfedicu. uuN STdWiofu
would take lite cheerfully as it came.
He would not pause in course which
opened before him because of doubts as
to the end OF il all.
But, despite the debonair way in which
he sang of putting scruples to an end.
there was a strong undercurrent of princi
pie and honor in the course Of this mans
life, for oil. the manifold GIBBS and flows
on the surfsce-ebbs and flows which ran
to and fro with the varying Impulses of
circumstances. or fate.
Guy Crawford would have thought of
no alternative. He would have said Fate
at once.
He sang the three lines over again; then
muttered to himself
That's all right; but it is very natural
thing for one to ask himself why in the
world Clinton was not at the station"
Down the rainy gale ran his voice
again:
ransn to take whatever the gods may send
'.Stop your noiser' said sharp voice
at his elbow. and heavy hand was laid
on his shoulder. "Stop your noise"
Something else touched his forehead; he
could not see what it was. His impulse
to fight was conquered by its contact, for
he guessed it was the muzzle of revolt
YER.
bring lantern!" said the man who
had captured Guy; and light was pro-
duced almost Immediately.
But little was visible The raindrops
on the branches shone in the light and
having hung for n moment in brightness.
dropped one by one one into the black
ness; trees and q fence near by stood
half-outlined.
There were several horses tied to the
fence--horses which looked spectral and
shadowy as Guy saw them. In the centre
of the lighted space were two men besides
Guy. Both were evidently disguised and
both were heavily armed.
"Come on" said both OF them in a
breath to Guy; and one of them added:
Don't you dare to make noise above
whisper"
The light went out; hand rested in
anything but gentle manner on each
shoulder, and the philosophical singer was
hurried away by his two strange captors.
Guy Crawford was not frightened; he
was surprised and startled, but not fright
ened. He had little money with him, no
valuable jewels, only watch, no papers.
Robbery would be nothing to him.
He didn't exactly welcome the curious
episode In which he was taking an invol-
unaary part; but he thought OF it in won
der. instead Of fear
The line he had been singing ran
through his mind-"Then to take what
ever the gods may send"-and the full
force Of his position, regarded as a ludi-
crous comment on the sentiment it ex-
pressed. burst upon him. To have saved
his life he couldn't have helped it-he
laughed out loud
.'You Internal fool p Kissed one of the
men in his ear. "This isn't funny, even
II You think so."
s"I know IT," answered Guy: '.it's a
very solemn and serious affair. But why
don't you take my money and watch at
once, and let me gop"
I'VE don't want your money and watch.
man! We've money and watches enough.
without going hunting for them on such a
night as this. What we want is man.
We want your
They walked for while In compare
lively open road; they turned aside into a
narrow path later. At length they climbed