Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-01-26

while I have not found the city" And he
turned and went his own way alone, leaving
them astonished
And yet this would scarcely parallel the
intensity Of Wills feeling for the plain. II
ne could only go far enough out there, he felt
as II his eyesight would be purged and elari-
ned, as il his hearing would grow more deli
cate and his very breath would come and 60
with luxury. He was transplanted and
whitening where he was; he lay in strange
country and was sick for home. Bit by bit
he pieced together broken notions of the
world below; Of the river, ever moving and
growing until it sailed forth into the males
tic ocean; Of the cities, full of brisk and
beautiful people, playing fountains, bands Of
music and marble palaces, and lighted up
at night from end to end with artificial stars
Of gold; Of the great churches, wise univer-
sities brave armies and untold money lying
stored in vaults; Of the high flying vice that
moved in the sunshine and the stealth and
swiftness Of midnight murder, ! have said
be was sick as il for home: the figure halts.
He was like some one lying in twilit, form
less pre-existence, and stretching out his
hands lovingly toward many colored, many
sounding life It was no wonder he was un-
happy, he would so and tell the fish: they
were made for their life, wished for no more
than worms and running water and hole
below falling bank; but he was differently
designed, full of desires and aspirations, itch
ing at the fingers, LISTING with the eyes,
whom the whole variegated world could not
satisfy with aspects. The true life, the true
bright sunshine, lay far out upon the plain.
And OF to see this sunlight once before he
diedl TO move with a jocund spirit in a
golden landl to hear the trained singers and
sweet church bells and see the holiday gar
densl "And o fish," he would cry, "if you
would only turn your noses down stream,
you could swim so easily into the tabled
waters and see the vast ships passing over
your head like clouds, and hear the great
water hills making music over you all day
longi" But the fish kept looking patiently in
their own direction, until Will hardly knew
whether to laugh or Try.
Hitherto the traffic on the road had passed
by Will, like something seen in picture; he
had perhaps exchar ged salutations with a
tourist, or caught sight Of an old gentleman
In a travelling cap at a carriage window: but
for the most part it had been mere symbol,
which he contemplated from apart and with
something Of q superstitious feeling A time
came at last when this was to be changed.
The miller, who was a greedy man in his
way, and never forewent an opportunity of
honest profit, turned the mill house into q
little wayside inn, and, several pieces of good
fortune falling in OPPORTUNITY, built stables
and got the position of postmaster on the
road 1t now became Wills duty to wait
upon people, as they sat to break their fasts
in the little arbor ut the top of the mill gar
den: and you may be sure that he kept his ears
open, and learned many new things about the
outside world as he brought the omelet or the
wine. Nay, he would often get into con-
versation with single guests. and by
adroit questions and polite attention, not
only crafty his own curiosity, but win
the goodwill of the trive ers. Many compli-
mented the old couple CT their serving boy,
and a professor was Gag sr to take him away
with him and have him properly educated in
tho plain. The miller ami his wife were
nightly astonished and eyen more pleased.
They thought it q very good thing that they
should have opened their inn. "You see,"
the old man would remark, che has kind Of
talent for q publican; he never would have
made anything else!" And so life wagged on
in the valley, with high satisfaction to all
concerned but Win. Every carriage that left
the inn door seemed to take a part of him
away with it, and when people jestingly
o.-ercd him lift he could with difficulty
command his emotion. Night after night he
would dream that he was awakened by
lustered servants, and that splendid equi-
pare waited at the door to carry him down
into the plain; night after night; until the
dream, which had seemed all jollity to him
ut first, be gan to take on color of gravity,
and the nocturnal summons and waiting
eIuipaSe occupied place in his mind as
something to be both feared and hoped for.
One day, when VIII was about IS, fat
young man arrived at sunset to pass the
night. lie was contcnted looking fellow,
with jolly eye, and carried knapsack.
Whilo dinner was preparing hc sat in the ar
Dor to read BOOK; but as soon as he had be-
gun to observe Will the book was laid aside;
he was plainly one of those who prefer liv-
ing people to people made Of ink and paper.
Will on his part, although he had not been
much interested in the Stranger at first sight,
soon began to take great deal of pleasure in
his talk, which was full of good nature and
good sense, and at last conceived great re-
spect for his character and wisdom. They
SAL far into the night, and about in the
morning VIII opened his heart to the young
man and told him how he longed to leave
the valley, and what bright hopes he had
connected with the cities of the plain. The
young man whistled and then broke into
smile
''My young friend" he remarked, "you
ore a very curious little fellow TO be sure,
AID wish great many things which you will
never get Why, yoa would feel quite
ashamed II you knew how tho little fellows
in these fairy cities Of yours are all after the
same sort of nonsense and keep breaking
their hearts to get up into the mountains.
And let mo tell you, those who go down into
the plains arc q very short while there before
they wish themselves heartily back again.
The air is not SO light nor SO pure, nor is the
Sun any brighter. As for the beautiful men
and women, you would see many Of them in
ra~s and many of them deformed with hor-
rible disorders; and city is so hard a place
for people who are poor and sensitive that
many choose to die by their own hand"
you must think me very simple" an
swercd VIII. Although have never been
out of this valley, believe me, nave used
my eyes. / know how ono thing lives on an
other; for instance, how tho fish hangs in the
eddy to catch his fellows; and the shepherd.
who makes so pretty picture carrying home
the lamb, is only carrying it homo for din
ner. lido not expect to find all things right
in your cities That is not what troubles me.
Il might have been that once upon time;
but although live here always, have asked
many questions and learned great deal in
these last years, and certainly enough to cure
me of my old fancies. But you would not
have me die like dog and not see all that is
to be seen, and do all that man can do, let
it DO good or evil, you would not have me
spend oil my days between this road here and
the river, and not so much as make motion
to be ~ and live my lifel-I would rather die
out of hand" he cried, than hnger on as
am doing"
Thousands Of people, said the young man,
Five and die like you and are mono the less
happy"
'Ah" said VIII. ''if there are thousands
who would like, why should not one of them
have my placer
It was quite dark; there was hanging
lamp in the arbor which Lit up the table and
the faces of the speakers, and along the arch
Lon, Tho 4ralIic cfooI ill,y,,;-