The Springdale news., 1888-09-21

as the church clock boomed OGt an hour when l ought to have been asleep. it seemed to sound only refr.cin to the words: "To them and their heirs forever"
 As some victim of involuntary yfqils has quoted it; Sorrow endureth for a joy, but night cometh in the morn- ing"
 So the next morning 1 arose, deter- mined to drop the whole subject from my mind, and l succeeded in so far that l never mentioned the graveyard nor even looked that way, if l could help it.
 l had told Maria of the strangers foolish errand, but had said nothing about the similarity of names, for reasons already hinted at There is enough actual trouble in tho world for every one without giving them oc- casion to borrow what really doc5n t exist
 Months went by, happy months for us. Every thing Aouris he'd about the place; the garden, the young trees and vines that had planted, all grew as plants never grew before on a new place.
 One bright Sunday in November, as we We're sitting at lunch, Maria was remarking pensively on the many blessings we were enjoying, and (she is of a rather deyout turn of mind) was saying that we had good reason for keeping Thanksgiving Day this year if never before.
 From whe she sat she could look out of that lovely window toward the village and the church, and at -his point she called my attention to a peculiar group in the street. fhey had stopped in front of the adjoining lot, a vacant let owned by Mr, Van Grinder. and seemed heaitating for q moment what to do.
 There was a very ordinary, raw boned team horses attached to a heavy farm wagon, empty or nearly so. On the drivers seat was a good natured looking Irishman, and beside him WIS quite sn cid man, whom l re- member to have seen hanging about the saioons; one of those blear-eyed old reprobates who make Us resigned to (but incredulous oD the deadly effects of drink.
 Behind the wagon walked young pettifogging lawyer of the place whom 1 just knew by sight, and with him was q man whose face could not see distinctly, but whose figure was dimly 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 so that had a good view of his countenance, when at once 1 knew him; it was Ephraim Jorton. A cold chill ran down my back as glanced again al l the empty wagon and saw that it was not empty. It contained a long pine box that reached slightly above the sides Of the wagon, and my worst fears were realized-almost; for l still had reason to be thankful that it was Van Grinder $ lot and not mine that they seemed about to enter.
 At a woad from the lawyer the old man and Jorton gave pull at the top rail of the fence and over it came.
 Then they took bee-line; yes, fol my house and for the very window where we were now breathlessly watching.
 Maria was puzzled and interested; was in agony.
 Though the grounG was rough and steep in places, the driver lashed his old horses and persuaded them that they were to move straight ahead and follow the men before them.
 It now appeared why so rough 8 turnout had been used to convey-I shudder to say it-a dead body to its final restlng-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 it was u newer ! fence. It was my fence.
 Jorton went to the wagon and re- turned with hammer and chisel, with which he proceeded carefully to take down length of the fence. l couldn't help thinking that he handled it near ly as if it were his own fence.
 Stupidly wondering what they would l1., -. Il