River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-11-14

perry he said lit sartinly air pep
perry. Busy with his own thoughts he
did not rouse himself, until the hick-
DRY logs fell apart into mass of white
ashes. | be "a TOOL" he said, bitterly.
"a plumb fool hey been a-gallopin'
over rocks big enough ter build a
mount'n ez high ez Bon Air hitsef. |
be fool. fool ter hev done it.
Christmas day in Bear Cove was fair
enough. and cold enough and but for
the excitement occGsiOned by the pros
pect of the parsons fiery sermon,
would, in all probability, have been
dull enough.
Under the cliffs great columns of ice
rose like crystal pillars aglow with the
reflected radiance of the sun. On
bluffs fringed with crystals, crown
of dainty wintergreen Haunted its
crimson berries in the very face of
winter. Where the remnants OF the
last snowfall lay upon the ground, the
snowbirds hoped nimbly about in
some kind Of a Christmas revel, known
only to themselves.
But Parscn Lyle was blind to all tho
beauties of creation as he rode down
the lane toward the little log meeting
house. where his coming was anXiously
awaited. There was hush when he
entered. A hush. more of curiosity,
perhaps. than of respect.
Old 81 Larkius sat stiff and staring
just in front of the tall pulpit. His
brows were contracted, aud a half
sneer was perceptible upon his face
when the parson entered. But when
the very young man with the very old.
care-wOrn face arose behind the pull
pit. and began the hymn, the old mans
fierceuess vanished. Where was all
the game" that had been reported?
This was Nc "fghtin' upstart,' but
man of God. 81 Larkins thought with
self-scorn Of the bundle OF switches
hidden away in the wild plum thicket.
that were to mete out vengeance for
that days sermon.
Sermon There wasn't any sermon;
only calm little talk about life, its
duties and its dangers.
Go slow" Go slow over the roggh
places" was the burden of the dis
course that rang friendly warnin I to
The hot-hearted people travelling fe's
uncertain highway. As he tossed the
watchward 20 them, lifted it Ii %
danger signal before them the bu den
of anger and doubt and sorrow relied
fIom his own heart, aud he stOoc be-
fore them once more with soul
above the petty worries Of life. They
caught his meaning and understood,
and realized the mad gailoP they were
having.
Go slow over the rough places"
That was all OF the wonderful sermon
that was TO have been as fire an sword
10 them.
lie had feared for his reputation; for
how could they know that it required
more courage for him TO stand before
them and wave that staple olive
branch than would have been required
to meet them in AN open hand-tO- hand
fight. He thought they must brand
him forever as n coward afraid to stand
by his boast lie felt so sure of it. in
deed. that he would have stolen out
where his horse was hitched, and hur-
ried home at once. but for tho invita-
ton to the thicket.
Knowing perfectly what the invita-
tiou meant and caring but little for
the result, he walked calmly out from
the building and went over 10 where
Pete Larkins was talking with n crowd
Of men. He stepped into tie midst OF
them and confronted Pete. Brother"
he said. Il be here ter accept Nv yer
invcrtatiOn,
Pete Redeemed; the others grinned
and moved away.
The o'e man gin the word. 7aid
Pete .cz ! war ter fetch ger lag o.
me
Here | be, was the submissive
reply. and Pete led the way to where
the horses were waiting. They mount
ed their horses and as Pete. still LEAD
ing. turned into the bigroad toward 81
LarSins' house, and away from the
thicket. the preacher checked his
horse. Brother he said, THE
thiciet air ter the left
Pete paused.
The old man lowed it war too COZ
fur picnic" he said. so the enter
tainmint hey been changed to- Christ
mas dinner An they-uns are wait'n'
fur you ter come an AK the blessin'.
'Th.,,s =, IA. To-. IL, mn dancinf ht1t-Iooi-
out Their. parson! Go slow over the
rough places.
Pete laughed aloud rs the preachers
horse stumbled among the rocks.
Thanks TO Parson Prater's watch
word, the Bear Cove Church quarrel
was forever ended. Will Allen Dron-
goOle. in Youths COMPANION