The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-11-05
NOT PLAYING POSSUM.
The Brave Act OF . Scout In the
OH Regions


Below us the brook. swollen by the
recent rain. rushed turgidiy through
the narrow valley and swept in long
muddy curve around the distant bend
in the road The oil scout felt like
talking. and i was anxious to hear him
Out Of the sun. then. and supine in the
soft pine shadows we lay. while he told
me the story of the ruined mystery"
over in the ravine-
When all this region roundabout was
Is Wild IS that hillside. save that the
larch and Dir and white pine were then
free TO grow TO their stateliest height;
when the deer came fearless to drink
from the brook. and the snake seldom
sounded its warning rattle-that is to
say. only three years ago-thc gnarled
old oak that stands there in the clear
ing. whose broad branches had shell
tered the human form divine in the
person Of the savage Indian. huttercd
its leaves in surprise one day over the
verturesome head of the first oil scout
to traverse these forsaken paths
A New Highlander. young and snip
pie, with all the cunning and courage
Of Yankee. he had been singled out
by those whose interest IL was to know
the latest operations in the new terrific
~ 10 watch and report the develop
menfs at the mystery" then sinking
in the ravine beyond. He was fond
Of such adventures for the excite
ment's sake: he received fixed wage.
and was not prompted. therefore, TO
engage in his work By avarice or ma
lcyolcnce And as he rcclined in the
grateful shade Of the oak. painting
from the exertion Of scaling the steep
hill. that sturdy old tree. unbending
tanning him with It's long. rlstling
arms. and tho birds overhead warblcd
tuncful greeting.
II was one Of the early days Of
spring. and As every thing about him
seemed overcome BY the influence Of
the indolcnt air so the scout. forgetful
Of duty. lay outstretched beneath the
oak dreaming Of tine stately elms Of
New Haven. When he awoke IL was
with the hot rays Of the sun burning
his upturncd face. while the lazy wind
was wrenching admonitory creaks
from the robust branches of the tree.
and leaning against its trunk stood a
small child gazing compassionatel
upon him through violet eyes
-Oh! you're not dead. are your
she cried. clasping her hands and her
little bosom palpitating.
No. indeed. Don't 1 look alive?''
You do now, hut you didn't when
You was 50 quiet"
This child was wonderfully inter.
csting thing TO the scout He hadn'
talked to one for year.
How did you know I wasn't play.
ing poSsumr'
II never played that. What is it?''
He laughed and she chimcd in like q
silver bell. the sweetest soundt the scout
had heard in long time
Why. 10 play you're asleep when
you aren't" She smiled rs though she
didn't understand. and came and sal
down BY his side.
How could you play that all alone;
You didn't know l WAS here. did your
The quaint conccit amused them
both and they laughed together again
looking frankly into each Others faces
TEL me your name" he urged,
taking one OF her small hands into hi.
large brown one. and handling II Al
tenderly rs he would delicate picc,
of lace.
MY name Daisy; and l live with
mamma and papa over there"
He dropped the hand and looked q
ner eagerly. "Do YOU know papa?
thought You didn't. No one eve
comes 70 sec rs; papa won't lee any
body. and mamma is awful afraid.
mad = little brother once. but he dice
last month. and I'm slI alone now
and mamma cries whenever ] talk abou
Ossic. 80 papa won't let me do IL any
more But 1 come here every day ans
play and think 81 Ossie. and oh! l &c
awful lonely sometimes playin' alone.
why do YOU come here DaisyP"
why. don't you knowP Ossie's bur
ned here. You had your head on BIZ
grave"
Now the ecout made = sudden and
very peculiar resolve. Perhaps N
was married.; anyway he must hav
been remarkably soft-hcarted for