Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1889-06-08
WHY THE MARBLE FELL.

An Old Gentleman Recalls the Mruiary
of His Lac; Game in sorrow.
| was walking on Michigan avenue
one day last week with man whose
hair is white and whose steps are not
quite as brisk as they us,d to be. We
came 10 a vacant spot where two boys
were playing marbles and stopped.
Ny old friend was moie interested
than |. for he asked one o. the boys 10
lei him have a shot. which the boy
did. Somehow the marble didn't lie
snug between the nail of the thumb of
the old man and the ball Of his first
finger. That's right. isn't il, boyss 1t
fell out and rolled away and the boys
laughed. We resumed our walk. The
old gentleman turned 10 me and
asked:
DO you remember the last game of
marhles you ever played,"
went back twelve fifteen. twenty
years in less time than / have taken
10 write this sentence. But for the
life Of me | couldn't remember the
last time | had marble in my hand
or carried dozen in my pocket
Il remember the last game ever
played, said my companion. and his
voice, always kind and gentle. had in
it that sort Of tremble which the or
ganist sometimes puts on the keys
when he wants TO get down on the
front doorsteps Of your heart.
MY brother and | had played tru-
ants from school," he said. Il led
him into il, although he was older
than /. He was as delicate as a girl.
was the black sheep of the family.
We wandered off 10 a neighboring
creek and went in swimming. He
didn't want 10 90, but bullied him
into it. and while he was in got back
on shore, took his shirt, dipped one
arm Of il in the water, and tied il in
a hard knot. And when he came out
sat there, and as he tried 10 unite the
knot with his teeth | called out TO him
in an eXasperating way 10 chew beef.
II was boyish prank. We all did il
Finally he succeeded. and then we
started for home feeling like imagine
two dogs feel when they have stolen
their first sheep. Just before we got
home | bantered him for game Of
keeps In those days that was boys
first step at gambling. he didn't want
10 play, but | won him as | always
did. also won his marbles and re-
member that | cheated in order 10 do
it We went into the house after the
game and had our suppers. Later on
we went into the old family room and
my father read chapter in the Bible
while my mother, dear old soul. nod
ded over her knitting. And counted
over my winning in my pocket Then
my father prayed, as was his custom,
and ~ Drother and | went up stairs
TO bed. The bed was near a window
that had the prettiest white curtains
that ever luttered. They looked like
snowdrifts hung pole. Ny brother
aud | went 10 bed. | lay on the side
next 10 the window and after he had
fallen asleep ] peeped out between. the
curtains and saw the stars twinkle and
twinkle and twinkle as had never
seen them twinkle before and as have
never Been them twinkle since, Icov-
cred my head with the sheet and at
some watch of the night fell asleep.
"!n the morning my mother, as was
always her custom, came 10 call us
was awakened that morning by a
touch Of her hand aad she whispered
to me TO get up as quietly as | could,
that my brother was sick.
II did did SO and went 10 my break
fast and then 10 school. That was
the lonesomest day of my life up TO
that time. missed my brother, who
prompted me always in the class. La
the evening | went home | ate my
supper alone. My father and mother
were up stairs with my brother, and ]
was told that would have 10 sleep
alone that night The old Bible wal
not opened as usual. l usea TO won.
der IL the time would ever come when
wouldn't have 10 go TO family pray
ers, and now wished that might a.
tend them just once more.
II went TO breakfast the next morn
ing alone and the servant, an old
motherly negro woman, told me
wasn't 10 go TO school that dav. tia
my brother was very sick. l loiterc<
about thy Shouse and after awhile N,
father came downstairs and took nj
back 10 the room where my brofhc
was. My mother was sitting ON IA
bedside holding one Of his hands, an,
his eyes were closed. They ncve
opened again in this world.
Now you know, maybe, why. whsr
ipicked up that marble awhile ago. 4
fell out Of my hand"
You Know there are times when 4
Is best to leave man alone when q
cloud comes between him and lbs sun.
and | turned away from dhie desr old
rnan et the next cornsr end ~ HIN