Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-10-15
COLONEL BRAINARD'S GATH
A TRUE STORY.


raindrops from leaf and twig and slende
grass-blade. Yet, despite the swee
placidity Of the morning, evidences o
the terrible storm that ragged all the nigh
before was on every hand.
The little village of Marshville, Me.
most conclusively bore witness to the fac
that storm in all its fury had visited it
by its torn and twisted elms, its man,
houses without chimney-tops, its orchards
wherein the half-grown fruit lay in wind
rows ON the short orchard grass, and its
fields of badly lodged corn.
The storm was the universal topic OF
conversation among the village people
that morning. Groups of men, theii
heavy eyes telling of long hours o.
anxious wakefulness, gathered on the
street corners, compared notes. Eacl
told how the house shook and the beds
rocked when the wind put its great
shoulder against the house, how fright
ened Hannah or Martha was, how hi.
apple crop was a dead loss, how that
"splendid piece of corn of mine would
never straighten up again in the world,
sir" and what trees on his little domain
were down, trees that he wouldn't have
taken hundred dollars for!" And vet,
running through it all, was little vein
of half-concealed pride in the fact that
the wind had frolicked SO roughly with
their possessions.
"Well, neighbors," said a CHEEKY
faced member of one of these little
groups, 81 think there's a good deal to
be thankful for. We can't expect sun
shine with gentle winds all the time. |
s'pose these great storms are just as
necessary as our clearing -up-fres' are
in the spring. Why, just think how hot
it was yesterday forenoon! Then the
Lord sent big storm, and all the dam
age it done was to throw down few
bricks and a few apples or SO, and didn't
harm hair of our heads. Now see how
clean and fresh everything is to-day?
tell you He's pretty good to us, taking
it all round"
"You don't believe that anyone had
anything to do with last nights storm,
do you, Story2" queried sarcastic voice,
and tall, commanding looking man
joined the group. Haven't heard a
quotation from some old book or other
that runs like this: The wind bloweth
where it listeth?"
The others face flushed, but he an
swered sturdily: "And this is another
quotation from the same good old book:
And He arose and rebuked the wind and
said unto the sea, peace, be still! And
the wind ceased and there was u great
calm It's God Almightys wind, Col.
Brainard."
The other laughed scoffingly, while a
look impossible to describe hardened the
lines of his face into iron
''Well, then, His wind blew down my
barn last night. Now, call upon you
all to bear witness to the thing that l
swear! will build barn that God AL
mighty can't blow down"
The glow on Story's face faded to
ashen gray. He said slowly, And call
upon all to bear witness to this thing,
also, that Colonel Brainard will vet be
utterly ashamed of the oath he has sworn
before you"
Again came that scoffing laugh.
Don't be so solemn about it, Neigh
Dor Story! My barn will yet stand be-
fore your eyes, and l will build it too
strong for God Almighty's winds. Do
you hear, neighbour"
Amasa Story turned on his heel and
walked away.
The town of Marshville was halved by
wide, deep, still-howing river. The
largest half of the town was built on an
emlnence on the south bank of the river.
1he Brainard Place, as it was called was
built on the emnence on the north bank
OF the river and at some little distance
from the village proper. And so, as
there were no houses or buildings of any
description to obstruct the view, one
standing in the village streets and look
ing up the river could get good view of
the Brainnrd Place. The second week
after the great storm the village was all
wonderment. -Four slow-going, patient
oxen were dragging an enormous stick OF
timber through the quiet streets.
''Hello, Brown" shouted one of the
villagers to the teamster, "wheres that
big fellow going?"
That's for Colonel Brainards new
barn, was the reply; and then every
body knew that the Colonel's oath was no
idle one.
A few days later the Colonel stopped
Mt the village store. 1t was just at edge
of the evening. 1t had not grown dark
as yet, for soft amber light flooded the
skies and enwrapped the earth. 1t was
Just the time when the store was full OF
villagers making their purchases for the
morrow and getting the news of the day
to carry home.
Boys !" called out the Colonel in his
bluff hearty voice, "come up TO the
raising tomorrow | need a good
deal of help about this one, can tell you
Come up neighbors Story, | shal
count on you anyway! You'll be there
won't your"
Not 1, Colonel! !" answered Story
seriously but pleasantly. "I'm lust a
much obliged, but | amt flying in tn
face of Providence this year. :
The raising was grand success
and all who attended it came back wit
the most vivid accounts of the strcngt
of the new barn and the immensity of it
timbers.
In day or two aftcrward, Colone
Brainard again stopped at the villag
store.
Story !" he called, "come out her,
can't you? want to see you about
little matter"
Story rose TO his feet and walked OF
to the Colone's carriage.
"What is it, Colonel? :"
Brainard put his hand on Story
shoulder and pointed up the river.
"Woll, Story I want you to see somc
thing, for of coarse you haven't notice
it before; | vans you TO see that fran
up there on the Branard Place WhG
do you thinL Of it ;"