St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-12-19
COLONEL BRAIUARD'S OATH
A TRUE STORY.

was cloudless. The air was sweet will
many odors. A soft, cool wind swept b,
now and then, shaking the shimmerin}
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 many
houses without chimney-tops, its orchard;
wherein the half grown fruit lay in wind
rows on the short orchard grass, and it's
fields OF badly lodged corn.
The storm was the universal topic Of
conversation among the village people
that morning. Groups of men, theil
heavy eyes telling Of long hours Of
anxious wakefulness, gathered on the
street corners, compared notes. Each
told how the house shook and the beds
rocked when the wind put it's great
shoulder against the house, how fright.
ened Hannah or Martha was, how his
apple crop was 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 q little vein
of half-concealed pride IL iue fact that
the wind had fro1;c,..eu so roughly with
their posses; ons.
.~"Well, neighbours" said CHEEKY
faced member of one of these little
groups, II think there's good deal to
be thankful for. We can't expect sun
shine with gentle winds all the time. I
s'pose these great storms are just as
necessary as our clearing -up-f fires 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 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, Story?" queried q sarcastic voice,
and a tall, commanding-l looking man
Joined the group. Haven't I heard a
quotation from some cid 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 q great
calm It's God Almighty's wind, Col.
Brainard."
The other laughed .cofingly, while a
look impossible to describe hardened the
lines Of bis 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! I 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 yet be
utterly ashamed of the oath he has sworn
before you"
Again came that soothing laugh
Don't be so solemn about it. Neigh
Dor Story My barn will yet stand be-
fore your eyes, and | will build it too
strong for God Almighty winds. Do
you hear, neighbour"
Amasa Story turned on his heel and
walked away
The town Of MarshvilIe was halved by
a wide, deep, still-fowing river. The
largest half Of the town wes built on all
eminence on the south bank of the river.
The Brainard Place, as it was called. was
built OH the eminence on the north bank
of the river and at some little distance
from the village proper. And 30, as
there were no houses or buildings Of any
description to obstruct The view. one
in the village streets and look
ing up the river could get q good view Of
the Brainard Place. The second week
after the great storm the village was all
-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, "where's that
big fellow going?"
That's for Colonel Brainard's 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
ut 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
and getting the news Of the day
10 carry home.
Boys !" called out the Colonel in his
bluff, hearty voice, leone up to the
raising to-mor1> I need a good
deal of help about this one, / can tell you!
Come up, neighbors ! Story, I shall
count on you anyway! You'll be there,
won't your"
"Not I, Colonel |" answered Story,
but pleasantly. I'm just as
much obliged, but I amt flying in the
face Of Providence this year"
ne raising was q granu success,
and all who attended it came back with
the most vivid accounts Of the strength
Of the new barn and the immensely Of its
timbers.
In day or two afterward, Colonel
Brainard again stopped at the village
store.
Story he called, "come out here,
can't you? / want to SEQ you about a
little matter
Story rose to his feet and walked out
to the Coloners carriage.
What is it, Colonel p
Brainard put his hand on Story's
and pointed up the river.
Well, Story, / want you to see some
thing, for Of course you haven't noticed
It before; want you to see that frame
up there on the Brainard Place What