The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-12-22
nale ]. short, 'eauss .har sIa'I much

bat make il short. cause thar sin't much
time.
Parson Griggs knelt beside the dying
man and sent mp petition for the soul so
soon to oe launched upon the boundless
ocean OF eternity. When he arose the men
in the room and about the door we're stand
ing with uncovered heads, and the tear OF
sympathy cleaned on many cheek for
years unused TO ssch visitor.
How do you feel about the futur' Joe -
asked the parson. rs eli vel with yer -
az guess its al right friend. !" replied Joe,
feehly; s.it kinder seeEls to me tibet I've
done more good than harm in the world,
an reckon the balance II be on the right
side. IF | amt square now. thar sin't no
time for me 10 square myself. Hepaused
for moment 70 rest and then continued,
.sTharss two or three things l want to talk
about. As ] was tellin' the boys. ! don't
want no fuss made, no church funeral. no
grave stuns. Jest plant me cut here in the
woods somewhar-at the foot OF some big
pine. hahn I no kin as would keer for
me. dead or aiive-an' alius sleep better
in the woods, anyhow"
He paused again, faint and weak from
his effort TO talk, Big John held a small
flask of spirits 70 his lips and he revived.
II want We to say q little suthin' at the
plantin', parson," he said presently; Il
don't want no sugar coatin' nor nothln' o
thet sort, but you kin Jest say, and say 1t
truthful. too, tibet / never went back on no
friend once. Thet's why I'm here,
boys-here in the pinewoods--dyin' away
from my kin-jest because stood by--a
friend-when he" and his voice sank to
an indistinguishable whisper.
.Whar are your relations, Joe?" asked
the parson in husky tones as he bent over
the sufferers amt thar no one We want US
TO write toe'
No." gasped Joe; i've been-dead to
them-twenty years"
A spasm of pain crossed his face. his
head sank back and death forever sealed
the mystery of his life.
We buried him. as he had requested.
deep in the forest at the foot of an eaog-
nous pine. Over the open grave Parson
Griggs paid homely but touching tribute
TO the virtues OF his dead friend, and then
knelt in prayer beside the rude coffin.
20, Lord" he said. 1--WE commend TO
Thy mercy the spirit that went out yester-
day through the gate of death into the an
known land that lays beyond. Thou
knowest that our friend was not con-
sidered as hein' q prayin' man. but we
who knew him best feel sure that his
heart prayed when his lips made nc sound.
He made no profession, but we believe
that Thou whist judge him by the tes-
timony of his acts rather than that of
his mouth. Like Him they crucified he
died to save others. Like Him, too, he
went through life doing good. His ear
was never deaf TO the voice of trouble. He
clothed the naked. fed the hungry and
visited the sick. No night was SO dark, no
storm so fierce. no raad so rough. as TO
keep him from the side OF the sufferin' an
the needy. He was every mans brother
OF all who hev come here TO honor him
thar is not one whose I'D he has not some
time made little lighter. We bury here
the worthless husk thet hid the golden
grain OF goodness. May we who stay be-
hind larn the lessons tibet his life an death
should teach. May the seeds of kindness
tibet he scattered all through this forest
wilderness blossom in tempted souls an
bear fruit fit for Thy kingdom: an to Thy
name shell be all the glory. Amen
Three days later returning from a hunt
ing excursion the parson and | passed Fld-
der Joe's grave. AS we neared the spot
we saw Big John standing by the tall pine
which was Joe's monument He had hewn
q sort of tablet on the side of the tree and
stood regarding it as we came up.
"Ee didn't want US 70 git him no grave
stun, an thought thar ought to be suth-
in more'n tree to mark the grave OF the
whitest man that ever struck these parts.n
said John as he hastily passed his sleeve
across his eyes. .'Taint no very handsome
Job" he continued apologetically, but
twas the best knowed how TO do"
Upon the tablet rudely carved with a
pocket-knife was the following inscription /: