The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-10

derS was now patched ana worn. out; his
strong, well built frame lay as IL bundle
of rags, and at the same time Baard heard
the gold watch ticking in his own pocket.
Anders went TO where the smaller branches
lay; instead of STOPPING to load himself he
stopped, leaned back against sne woodpile
and looked out at the sky, clear and gilt
tering with stars. Then he drew sigh
| and said:
'Yes-yes- yes-O Lord, o Lordf'
So long as Baard lived he heard that
ever afterward He was just about to go
up TO him when at the same moment his
brother coughed, and it seemed so difficult;
more was not needed to hold him back.
Ancers took his arnful Of wood, and
swept so close by Baard that the branches
hit his face so that it smarted.
For at least ten minutes he stood still on
the same spot, and it was doubtful when
he would have moved if, after his emo
| ton, he had not been seized with such a
! shivering fit that he shook all over Then
he went out; he acknowledged freely to
himself that he was too cowardly to go in.
From q woodbox in the corner he had Just
left he took pine knot, went mp into the
barn, shut the door after him, and struck
a light When he had lighted the pine
knot he held it up to the nail where An
ders hung his lantern when he came early
in the morning to thresh. Baard took out
his gold watch and hung it on the nail,
PUT out his light and left; and then he
was so light of heart that he bounded over
the snow like young boy.
The next day he heard that the barn had
burned that night. Probably sparks had
fallen from the pine knot which lighted
him while hanging up the watch.
This overwhelmed him to such degree
that he sat that day like sick man, took
out his psalm book and sung so that the
people in the house thought he had gone
crazy. But when evening came no went
out 1t was bright mOonshine. He walked
TO his brothers farm, dug about where the
fire had been, and found. sure enough, a
melted lump Of gold. That was the watch
1t was with that in his hand he went in
to his brother that evening, begged for
peace and was going TO explain everything
But it has been before related how his visit
terminated.
A little girl had seen him dig about tn"
spot Of the fire, some boys going to dance
had seen him the Sunday evening before
walk down toward the barn, people in the
house related how strange he appeared on
Monday, and as every one knew that he
and his brother were bitter enemies infor-
nation was given and an inquiry was
| made. No one could prove anything against
him, but suspicion rested on him.
Anders had thought of Baard when the
barn burned down, but had mentioned his
suspicious to no one. And when he saw
Baard enter his room the next evening,
pale and distressed he thought immediate
~ now he is seized with repentance, but
for such an awful deed to his brother be
shall never have forgiveness. Afterward
he heard how people he'd seen him go down
TO the barn the same evening it burned;
and although nothing came to light at the
examination he firmly believed that Baard
was the gailty one. They met at the ex-
northumberland with his good clothes,
Anders in his patched ones. Baard looked
over to him and his eyes entreated, so that
Anders felt it in the depths Of his heart
He does not wish me to say anything,
thought Anders, and when asked il he sUs-
pected his brother he answered loudly and
distinctly No"
Anders took to hard drinking from that
day, and soon began to show the effects of
it. But it was still worse with Baard, al
though he did not drink.
Late one evening there came a poor
woman into the little room which Baard
rented, and asked him to follow her out a
minute. He knew her; it was his brothers
wife. Baard understood directly what er-
rand brought her, turned pale as a corpse
dressed himself and followed her without
uttering word. There shone faint light
from Anders' window it twinkled and dis
appeared, and they went in the direction
of it, for there was no path across the
snow. When Baard stood for the second
time before his brothers door he noticed
a peculiar odor of sickness which made
him feel ILL They went in. A little child
was sitting over in the chnsney corner
eating coal and was quite black in tie
face, but looked up and laughed with its
white teeth. 1t was his brothers child.
But over in the bed, with all sorts of
clothes thrown over him, lay Anders,
emaciated, with smooth, higa forehead,
and looking with hollow eyes at his
brother. Boards knees shook; he sat
down at the foot Of the bed and burst into
violent sobs. The sick man looked at him
steadfastIy and was silent. At length be
babe his wife go out, but Baard made
sign to her that she should remain, and
gether They explained everything from
the day when they bid for the watch up TO
the one when they now met, Baard conclud-
ing by taking out the lump of sold, always
carried with him, and 1t was now made
clear between the brothers that in all these
years they lad not felt happy single day.
Anders did not say much, for he was not
strong enough, but Baard remained sitting
by bis bedside SIS long as Anders was Ill
Now, am quite well, said AnderS,
one morning when he woke; now, brother,
we shall live long together, and never
leave each other, Just as Of old"
But that day he died
Beard took the wife and child home with
him, and they Jared well from that time.
What the brothers had talked of together
sprung out through walls and darkness,
and was known TO all the people of the
district, and Baard became the most re-
gpected man among them. All greeted
him As one who hEd known great sorrow
and found happiness again. or as one who
had been absent . long ttsne.
BsArd's frrnness OF character increased
with the friendhness which surrounded
him He became God fearing man and
wished 30 find sone occupation, he said,
and 50 the old corporal became school mss
ter What ne impressed On the children
drst and last was charity, and be himself
practiced it, so that the children IN the lit
lie school loved him az once as q playmate
and as 4 father-~1Tse Happy Boy" by
BiornstteTns BloTnsoa