Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-04-02
ON A GATE POST.
CHAPTER |.

Ambrose Net;leson has what III
thinks is valuable manuscript. III
thinks So, doubtless. because it records
part of his life. One night recently
while | was at his house, he brough
out the manuscript and read it to me
Although did not ask permission, yet
| do not feel that | violate his conf
dence by giving, as nearly as | can re-
member, the contents of the paper
which he treasures with such affec
ton
The prospect was not cheerful.
was riding horse across a country
whose loneliness was as deep as a sigh
which bespeaks the long absence oi
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 spling. My
horse almost shook me off when he
stopped and shivered. The owl scream
ed in my face again. Dead leaves, for
a moment would whirl before me, and
then fall, scattered and torG as though
they had, by an angry hand, been swept
from their long, damp rest, only to be
Knocked. "What a dreary. dreary
place it is I" l unused. II 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 I live
yonder is light. Is it possible that 1
shall receive shelter ?"
Urging my horse forward, l soon
reached small house, near the sum-
NIT of desolate peak, overlooking the
Arkansaw river. I dismounted near
the door-there was no fence around
the house. My horse looked appealing
ly at me and without asking permis-
sion from any one within, led the an
imal to stable close at hand, 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 o.
pened by girl scarcely more than
twelve years old. Her face was the
picture of despair. She said nothing,
but pointed 20 bed, upon which lay
an old man, gasping for breath. Ap-
preaching him, saw that he had but a
few moments to live. The girl knelt
beside the old man. He tried to put
his hand upon her head. Failing, he
looked at me and I assisted him He
tried to speak, but could not. The
girl sohbed frantically The rain pour
ed down and the storm shook the
house.
"He will never get we'll !" 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. Size looked at him and shrieked.
What night we spent in that house.
The storm howled and the rain fell un-
til nearly daylight. The girl, who l
saw was intelligent, with an impress
sive face, said that her name was Mum
cite Loggemon, and that since her ear
liest recollec tiou she had lived with the
old man who had spent the most of his
time, since she had begun to talk, in
teaching her.
81 have no relatives" she said in
answer to question.
Amy friends {"
"No friends"
sYou have neighbors ?"
"None. The nearest house is near ly
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, I went on and found
enough corn for my horse. left Mu-
nette at the grave, on which she had,
sobbing bitterly, thrown herself.
"Where are you going, little girl ?''
l asked when returned, still finding
her on the grave.
"How can go anywhere 7" she ask.
ed. 81 have no friends. told you."
"Y ou cannot remain here.''
81 cannot 60 away"
81 will not leave you here. You
must 60 with me. My mother has no
little girl. She will receive you.'
Still lying on the grave, and without
looking up, she replied !:
ST will 60 and work for my board"
"You will not have to work. When
I tell my mother of the circumstances
under which I found you, she will take
you in her arms. Come, get your
clothes. 1t is time we were leaving
here. See, the sun is shining beauti
fully. 1t is new dav for YOU"