St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-12-19

Colonel" was the frank reply: In 1act,
I know it is, for have been told over
and over again by the best Of judges,
that from ridgepole to plate, and from
plate to sill, it is just as strong as huge
beams, iron rods and steel bolts can
make it; but, Colonel, you and l are
both lumbermen; and more than once we
have seen great tracts Of timber, through
which the wind had hewed itself path,
and do you remember ever seeing tree
left standing in any one OF those
paths? And did you ever think Of what
d tremendous force it must have been
thar took hold Of those big trees and
pulled them up out Of the ground just as
quickly and easily as dentist would pull
a tooth? If were you, Colonel, guess
I would take it all back, and not pit
mans little strength against the mighty
arm of the Lord!'
"If you were me-" said the Colonel,
mockingly. but you're not me, Story,
and l, Brainard, don't take back any
thing I say, very often. You're on the
losing side. Brother Story! Don't forget
| that"
As the days went by it became evident
that Colonel Brainard did not intend that
Amusa Story should have a chance to
forget it. Every time he saw Story he
never failed to remind him in the most
offensive manner Of the fact that the
barn still stood firm and strong upon its
foundations, " and will stand, Brother
Story, until time rots the timbers and
rusts out tho bolts!'
And Story would answer cheerily:
1.-The Lord has got lots of patience,
| Colonel!'
Winter came on. Colonel Brainard
and Amasa Story both engaged in extern
sive numbering operations in the great
! forests in the northern part OF their ma
tive State, and did not see each other
again for some months; but with the re-
turn of spring, logs and lumbermen came
down the river.
Colonel Brainard got home first. He
was in the best Of spirits. His winters
work had brought him great deal Of
money, and naturally he felt rather jubi
liant. As soon as he heard that Story
had got home he made all haste to 20 to
the village.
Hello, Storv!" he shouted as soon as
he caught sight of Story's CHEEKY face,
"when did you get homer
"Just Gene, Colonel" answered the
o+h~1 heartily. "What's the news?
Everybody all we'll up to your placer"
"Pretty we'll, Story; pretty well; and
come to think of it, neighbor, why didn't
you inquire about the barn, also? Don't
forget that barn, Story! want you to
keep an eve on that barn." said the Col
onel with the same old mocking infection
in his voice.
Story colored furiouslv. He had for
fotten all about their dissension in his
joy at getting home, and his pleasure in
seeing his old friends; and to have his
friendly inquiries met in this way, was
almost too bad. But, controlling his
temper, he answered with something Of
an effort:
no need Of me, Colonel! The Lord
has got His eye on that barn fast
enough"
Somehow The Colonel could not seem
to get those words out Of his mind, al
though the impression they made on him
did not hinder him from attacking his
victim every time be came within sound
of his voice.
Matters went on after this fashion
until mid summer. One day about the
last Of July, the sun rose in the morning
lust like ball Of red-hot iron All the
forenoon the very air had quivering
appearance, es though it we're painting in
the intense heat, and the glare of the
sunshine was binding. But, in the
afternoon, soft haze came into the cir
and some fecy clouds crept over the face
of the sun. Now and then there was
a little Whit Of wind.
Late in the afternoon, bank Of gray
clouds softly rolled up in the West.
There was nothing particularly alarming
about them. They were not dark Or
thunderous looking, but were simply
soft, heecy mass Of misty cloud; but some.
how they seemed to bring with them a
deathly stiffness that settled down over
everything, ~ fold upon fold;' and its
influence was felt by even Colonel Brain
ard himself.
He harnessed up his horse, and down
town he came. Story and a number Of
his friends were standing on the steps of
the village store, busilv, though quietly,
talking politics; and thus did not notice
Colonel Brainard until he drew rein be-
fore them.
At the sight Of the Colonel. Story, who
happened to be speaker at the moment,
abruptly stopped. BY this time he
dreaded the sight of that dark, hooking
voice; but the Colonel did not mention
his favorite subject as soon as he saw
Story, as usual, but instead he said
anxiously:
boys, l wish you'd take look at
those clouds yonder. Somehow / don't
like the looks Of them
Of course every one instantly looked
eagerly IN the direction toward which
the Colonel pointed.
Don't see anything alarming about
Them" said one; Though it does seem
as though they were pretty near US, now
don't it,"
"Well," said another judicially, sit
does seem so, that's fact! And there's
one place right back of the village here,
that looks pretty dark. Do you see it,"
"story, what do you think about it?"
queried the Colonel.
Story gave one quick look at the
Colone's face and then turre his face
back to the cloudy sky without one word
in reply. The Colonel laughed loud and