The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-07-09
yoEj NY PARD, THE PARsoN.

We were sitting round the nrcy
Staring Il the logs ablaze
In sort Of waking siumber
Watching lazily tao Ways
That the flames would dance and flicker,
Lighting up the trees around -
While the swapping and the cracking
OF the logs would weirdiy sound
joe, my pard seemed dull and silent,
Smoked his cob and blinked his eyes,
Only moved TO stretch his foot and
Maks the flames the higher rise.
: Guess youssesbeen that way. old fellow, 57ss4
Praps not in tho logging camp,
Still the feeling will creep on you
As you watch the flames decamp
= Up the oily Is smoky chimney ~ =
When you're snugly fixed nj homa
Loggers' camp or stately mansion,
BY the fire thoughts viii roam.
So left my pard to ponder
What's the use 70 break the spell
When chaps sitting pumping
Soothing draughts from memorys Welt
Joe and were timber cruisers
Out in Minnesota there,
Met haphazard, struck acquaintance,
Seemed to NJ each fair and square.
So we've worked for many season,
Joe's q jewel says am;
Anyway we stuck together
Tight as shells OF any clam.
Well fixed the blankets ready, d
Rugged the tent up for the night,
Banked the firc, knocked my pipe out,
Z Joe, said l. II guess allss right;
Time for ussto turn in now, pard,
Reckon you We nigh done Your smoke"
Then he started. stretched himself once,
Gave the logs another poke.
waiting for the parson, are your"
ftaIfl h I'M 11staf
Tween ourselves, sir, Joe was parson.
Every night he used to pray.
Made that contract when we partnered
"Pard," said he. tive got within
That my dear old mother taught me;
Said she: Pray each night TO Him.
And Ldoit; guess you'll think me
just q sanctimonious fool,
All ask is don't disturb me
And I'll carry out my rule"
] was hit hard, though rough ono.
joe said !, your hand my lad,
II youth AWAY be the parson
will join you mighty glad"
THAT'S bargain" said he, shake, pard :"
And that very night VIC knelt.
Joe, he prayed, and as for me, SIR
Down my cheeks the tears would pelt.
Sunday school and boyhoods home days
Proved too much for my old eyes, =
First time Lknelt down with Joe, sin,
Meath the forests starlit skies.
Eyes all's ready for the parson,
Pull yourself together Joe.
What's troubling you To- night, pard,
Thinking work seems mighty slowf"
Then he looked up. "Pard, just sit down."
Said he, were you eyer hit,
Rather hard by SOMEONE woman
WAS 1? Just leetle bit,
First by one and then another"
Said /, with aquief laugh; -
..But SO far I've seemed TO Jog on
Minus any better half"
"Well," said joe "Pve been thinking,
Staring in the fire tonight. =
Till my heart has caught the red heat
That's blazing there SO bright;
More stared the plainer came there
Something that brought home to me
Counting daysz-I once was hit, pard.
Now you know what's troubling me-"
Brace up, Joe," said |, quite CHEEKY
'.Putyour pipe out, come to bed.
Sleep, maybe, will kind Of help you
Drive the thoughts out of your head
Did she leave you for another2
Women folk. they have no mind
Then forget"-"Say, stop right there, pard
Don't you say word unkind.
Or. by heaven there'll be quarrel!,
Leaping to his feet, he cried
Down he sat and sobbcd: Forget heri=-
Pard. she loved me, but she died
Don't you mind me-there, it's over"
And'he gave the fire stir.
Then we turned in, Joe was parson,
But his prayer was most OF her.
IN. Y. Herald.