Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-03-26
ON A GATE POST.
CHAPTER 1.

is q Valuable manuscript lie lnlnks so,
doubtless. because il records a part of
his life. One night recently, while
was at his house, he brought out the
manuscript and read it to me. Al
though did not ask permission, yet |
do not feel that violate his confidence
by giving.as nearly AS can remember,
the contents OF the paper which he
treasured with such affections:
The prospect was not cheerful.
was riding horse across IA country
whose loneliness was as deep as sigh
which bcspeaks the long absence of
some one. Night was coming on and
storm was gathering its forces. A
frightened owl fitted past me, scream
ing in my face The time of year was
when nature hesitates whether to con-
tinue winter or begin spring. My
horse almost shook me off when he
stopped and shivered. The owl scream
ed in my face again. Dead leaves, for
moment would whirl before me, and
then fall, scattered and torn as though
they had, by an angry hand. been
swept from their long, damp rest, only
10 be Knocked. ''What dreary,
dreary place it ISL / unused. IL feel
as though something terrible is going
to happen. The air, just before the
great agitation which must come,
seems quivering in its desire to bear
the sound of murder, murder! As /
live, yonder is light. 1t is possible
that 1 shall receive shelterP"
Urging my horse forward, / soon
reached small house, near the sum-
NIT of desolate peak, overlooking the
Arl- r;,- Il;
the door-there was no fence around
the. house. My horse looked appeal.
ingly at me aud without asking per-
mission from any one within, led the
animal to stable close at hand and
took off saddle and bride As | was
returning, the storm burst upon the
river. When approached the door,
heard wall. Knocked and | heard
the wall coming slowly toward me.
The door was opened by girl scarcely
more than twelve years old. Her face
was the picture of despair. She said
nothing. but pointed to a bed, upon
which lay an old man, gasping for
breath. Approaching him, saw that
he had but few minutes to live. The
girl knelt beside the old man. He
tried 10 put his hand upon her head.
Failing. he looked at me and assisted
him. He tried TO speak, but could
not. The girl sobbed frantically. The
rain poured down and the storm shook
the house.
"He will never get WELT" she cried
My grandpa will die.
Yes, her grandpa would die. His life
had already passed away. The hand
lying on her head was growing cold.
She looked at him and shrieked.
What a night we spent in that house.
The storm howled and the rain fell I'M
til nearly daylight. The girl. who
saw was intelligent, with an impressive
face, said that her name was Munette
Loggemon, and that since her earliest
recollection she had lived with the old
man who had spent the most of his
time, since she had begun 10 talk. in
teaching her
II have no relatives she said in an
swer to Il question.
ANY friends?'
mo friends.
You have neighbors?'
None. The nearest house is nearly
eight miles away.
knew not what TO do. Surely the
situation was serious. Early at morn
ing. we buried the old man in the yard.
As best could, made coffin OF a
trough which found in the stable.
After the burial, ] went out and found
enough corn for my horse. left Mu-
neite at the grave, on which She had.
sobbing bitterly. thrown herself.
Where are YOU going, little grip
] asked when returned. still finding
her on the grave.
How can go anywherc?" she
asked. IL have no friends. / told
YOU.
You cannot remain here"
y cannot 60 away
Il will not leave YOU here. You must
90 with me. My mother has no little
Girl. She will receive You.
Still lying on the grave, and without
looking up. she replied:
Il will go and work for my board"
sYou will not have To work. When
tell my mother of the circumstances
under which found you, she will take
YOU in her arms. Come, get your
rlothes. 1t Is time we were leaving
here. See, the sun is shining beauti-
fully. Ii is new day for you.
Without replying. she arose and
turned toward me. Her face, even
aside from her grief, was so sad. and
her ewes wore a look of such tender APP
peal that even though she had relatives
would have thought it my duty to
take her home with me. She went into
the house and soon returned with
small bundle.
II haven't much TO take" she said.
"Grandpa and were very poor, and
YOU see. having inherited his poverty,
am poorer than ever"
was not surprised to hear her make
such a remark, for / had discovered
that she never associated with child
rem and was consequently wise OF her
age.
"You shall have some nice dresses
after while" l replied.
Pretty red oncsp'
The child was asserting itself.
s.Yes, and blue ones.
She wept anew as we mounted tue
horse-she seated behind me. AS long
as we were within sight OF the house
she said nothing but when we had de-
scended into the thick woods. she
said:
III won't cry any more. II can help
it,"
"Your grandfather must have been
good to you?'
ayes. but he made me read many
hooks that we're very dnll-great law
hooks. / don't like them. His eyes
for many years have been so bad that