Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-11-10

SAID he couldn't pay any such money, but he
thought be wouldn't mind giving a certain
sum which he named, and which was about
half what the house had cost me. 5a
/ told him abruptly that / didn't care to
sell, and endeavored to close the converse
ton by moving toward the house.
IF you should ever change your mind
you'll remember me, perhaps said he, and
handed me an old envelope with his name
on it.
! bade him 'Good day. and was about
throwing the envelope away when the name
struck me as familiar "Ephraim Jorton;"
for moment | couldn't recall where had
seen it, but soon remembered that it was the
name Of the grantor in that old deed, and
that had deciphered the family name on
some of the moss grown headstones in the
grave yard.
In vain tried to convince myself that it
was only a coincidence; that my Jorton fam
lily must be scattered and dead; had to give |
myself up to detection.
1t is thus that the clouds of trouble roll |
over our heads. We no sooner recover from |
one shadow and begin to bask in the sunshine |
of happiness, than another takes its place.
That night, as the church clock doomed out
an hour when ought to have been asleep, it
seemed to sound only refrain to the words:
ITO them and their heirs forever
As some victim of involuntary vigils has
courted it: Sorrow endureth for joy, but
night cometh in the morning.
So the next morning | arose, determined
| to drop the whole subject from my mind,
and succeeded in so far that never men-
toned the graveyard, nor even looked that
way, If could help it.
| ! told Maria of the strangers foolish err
| rand, but had said nothing of the similarity
of names, for reasons already limited at.
There is enough actual trouble IN the world
for every one without giving them occasion to
borrow what really doesn't exist.
Months went by, happy months for u.s.
Everything fourished about the place; the
garden, the young trees and vines that had
planted, all grew as plants fever grew before
on new place.
One bright Sunday in November, as we
were sitting at lunch, Maria was remarking
pensively on the many blessings we were en-
joying, and tshe is of rather devout turn Of
mind was saying thai we had good reason for
keeping Thanksgiving day this year if never
before.
I
that lovely window toward the village and
the church, and at this point she called my
attention to 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 a very ordinary, raw boned team
of horses attached to heavy farm wagon,
empty or nearly so. On the drivers seat was
a good natured looking Irishman, and beside
him was quite an old man, whom remember
to have seen hanging about the saloons; one
of those blear eyed old reprobates who make
US resigned TO tbut incredulous OF the deadly
effects of drink.
Behind the wagon walked young petit
Jogging lawyer of the place, whom l just
knew by sight, and with HIM was q man
whose face could see distinctly, but whose
figure was dimly associated in my mind with
something unpfeasant-I couldn't recall
what e--
The horses were turned up on the sidewalk
and their discouraged heads hung over the
rickety fence that separated Mr.. Van Grind
er's 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
l knew him; it was Ephraim Jorton A cold
chill ran down my back as glanced again at
the empty wagon and saw that it was not
empty. 1t contained long pine box that
reached slightly above the sides of the wagon
and my worst fears were realized-almost
for still had reason to be thankful that il
was Van Grinders lot and not Lime that they
seemed about to enter.
At word from the lawyer the old maj
and Jorton gave pull at the top rail of tn,
fence, and over it came.
They then took bee line; yes, for my hous
and for the very window where we were nov
broathlaszly uatnhing
: Maria was puzzled and interested, was il
} agony
Though the ground was rough and steep il
places the driver slashed his old horses an,
, persuaded them that they were to NOV
straight ahead and follow the men befor
, them
1t now appeared who so rough turnou
had been used to convey-I shudder to say
: "a dead body to its final resting place.
3 Diagonally across the corner of the 10
E straight on they all came, remorseless as fatt
3 till finally they reached another fence Til
time it was newer fence. 1t was my fenc,
Y Jorton went to the wagon and returne
{ with hammer and chisel, with which b
o proceeded carefully to take down length {
the fence. l couldn't help thinking that
: handled it nearly as if it were his own fenc,
It stupidity wondering what they would d
y next, l stood like statue or fool, till Mari
asked me if | was the latter "or why didn't
, go out and stop themf'
b Mechanically l put on my hat and weI
. out, though had an awful foreboding thu
. shouldn't be able to stop them. l aske
u Jorton what he was about, to which he r
II piled that Lawyer Snively would explain.
8 That gentleman bowed, and drew from
pocket paper, which he said was a copy
l. the deed of this land, from the Jorton fan
II lily. He read the clause reserving the bur,
q ing ground and, concluding, together vii
9 right OF way to and from the said buryir
N ground, for the purpose of burying the
l, dead, to them and their heirs forever
IS "You can't blame Mr.. Jorton," said b
ig ''for he is a descendant, and even bears tt
identical name of that early Ephraim Jo
10 ton, and it isn't his fault that the mother
his deceased wife happened to die at
a house, not far from here; she had to
a. buried somewhere
IT. He paused for breath, and the pensive Jc
or ton repeated after him, Yes, had to
1g buried somewhere"
De 81 don't deny that almost shouted, fo
IN saw that Maria had raised the window, ant
We thought it was time for me to show lit
er spirit; ''but if she's got to be buried in til
cd ground, why didn't you inquire for t
W proper way to itl A right of way has be
q, left on the other side of the farm"
IL Lawyer Snively replied serenely that the
was only one proper way that they nac
ut, right to follow, and that was the way tt
os- had always been used.
"One of our oldest residents is presen
OF said he, ''who can testify that We are N
following the original lane; he has fixed
ng line by means of one or two old trees, a
cir there is no doubt Of its correctness"
The old wreck, evidently rejoieed at his o.
ere importance, smiled feebly and was about
ng speak, when Sniyely shut him off and c.
for tinued: "Moreover-we're very sorry, bu
this isn't the worst of it; the way runs rii
as through this wing of your house. The hor
-. might pass around outside if you will Civ
written permit, acknowledged before a
..a tary-I can do that for you; it won't cost J
- but quarter and will be pleasanter for
~. parties; but the corpse, of course, must
nd low the legal right of way and be pas
through that window and out of the door
Tho posita"
49, I stood perfectly dazed longed for
~. earthquake. For once my prayer was
~ swered; the earthquake came.