The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1888-09-28


- plants never grew before on new
place.
One bright Sunday In November. -
We were sitting At lunch. Maria was
rsmarking penrively on the many
blessings We were enjoying, and (she
Il Of rather devout turn Of mind)
was saying that we had good reason
for keeping Thanksgiving Day this
year II never before.
From where she sat she could look
out Of that lovely window toward the
village and the church. and at this
point she called my attention to q
peculiar group In the street. They
had stopped In front Of the adjoining
lot. vacant LOT owned by Mr.. Van
Grinder. and seemed hesitating for
moment what TO do.
There was very ordinary, raw
boned team OF horses attached TO q
heavy farm wagon, empty or nearly
80. On the drivers seat was good
natured looking Irishman. and beside
him was quite an old man. whom re-
member 20 have seen hanging about
the saloons; one Of those blear-eyed
old reprobatcs who make Us resigned
to (but incredulous OF the deadly
effects OF drink.
Behind the wagon walked young
pettifogging lawyer Of the place, whom
/ just knew by sight. and with him
was a man whose face l could not see
distinctly. but whose figure was dinly
associated in my mind with something
unpleasant-I couldn't recall what
The horses were turned up on the
sidewalk and their discouraged heads
hung over the rickety fence that sep
arated Mr.. Van Grinders lot from the
street. The old man climbed down
from the seat and seemed to be point
ing the way for them to move.
Strangely enough his unsteady finger
appeared to aim directly toward our
house.
The stranger now turned 50 that /
had good view Of his couhtenance.
when at once l know him; it was
EphrNim Jorton. A cold chill ran
down my back as ! glanced again at
the empty wagon and saw that it was
not empty. 1t contained a long pine
box that reached slightly above the
sides of the wagon, and my worst fears
were realizcd--almost; for still had
reason TO be thankful that il was Van
Grinders lot and not mine that they
seemed about TO enter
At word from the lawyer the old
man and Jorton gave . pull at the top
rail OF the fence. and over il came
Then they took bee-line; yes. for
my house and for the very window
where we were now breathlessly
watching.
Maria was puzzled and interested;
was in agony.
Though the ground was rough and
steep in places. the driver dashed his
old horses and persuaded them that
they were to move straight ahead and
follow the men before them.
1t now appeared why 50 rough a
turnout had been used to convey
shudder to saw it-a dead body 70 IL
final resting-place.
Diagonally across the corner OF the
lot straight on they all came. remorse.
less as fate. till finally they reached an
other fence. This time Il was a newer
fence. 1t was nv fence.
Horton want ~ ,ha wagon .rd -.
turned with hammer and chisel. with
which he proceeded carefully 70 take
down length Of the fence. Icouldn',
help thinking that he handled Il near.
L. as Ii il were his own fence.
STUPIDITY wondering what they would
do next. I stood like d statue or a fool.
till Maria asked me II was the latter.
"or why didn't i 90 up and stop them?'
Mechanically put on my hat and
went out. though had an awful fore
boding that I shouldn't be able to
stop them. l asked Jorton what he
was about. to which he replied that
Lawyer Snively would explain.
That gentleman bowed. and drew
from his pocket paper which he said
was n cOnv Of the deed NJ this land