The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-12-19
LYDDY'S TRIUMPH.

Inc mouse IN winch went 10 DOdru
was one OF the most lonesome places
imaginable. A low rambling farm
dwelling. surrounded by woods fields
and meadows. No other house was in
sight and the road in each direction
lost itself in dense growth OF trees.
A turn Of the road quarter OF mile
away brought one to tho school house,
church. half dozen dwellings and
the one store OF the place
The family with which boarded
consisted OF Mr. Enoch Blaire an itin-
Grant preacher with fair education.
but an inherited dislike OF work; his
wife. Mary. one OF the best women !
ever knew, thorough housewife.
with sound. practical common sense,
pure. earnest love OF religion which
she expressed In deeds more often
than words. and their SON. Jem IL
years OF age.
One evening. after had been a mem
Der OF the family several weeks. and
the strained relations OF schoolma' am
and boarding mistress had worn away.
Mrs. Blnire asked me 10 bring my
books into the kitchen and sit with
her. Jem had gone 10 bed with a
ioothache and Enoch was Mt revival
meeting In the next district He
would not be home until very late and
she was going to sit up for him.
accepted the invitation gladly. for
the bright cheerful kitchen was my
delight was so spotlessly clean and
homelike the pleasantest room in the
house. A warm fire added TO the
cheerfulness for the fall nights had
grown chilly.
Mrs Blaire did up" her dishes.
brushed the floor. strained the milk
while looked over the next days les
sons; then we drew our chairs nearer
the fire TOR ono OF the talks | had
grown 20 enjoy so much.
What shall we talk aboutPn said
Mrs Blaire. as she clicked her knit
ting needles '.ReligionPn
This was her favorite theme. and
loved TO hear her express her Baptist
views OF lie and death. So i led her
10 talk, till at length looked at the
clock. II marked 1880.
Where can Enoch bepn said Mrs.
Blairc gathering up her work. 'He
was never so late before"
She arose. went 10 the window and
peered out into the intense darkness,
shivered slightly, came back and
threw few more sticks on the FIRE.
We sat some time In silence. watching
tho sparks fly out through the hearth
OF tho cooking stove.
The ola clock in the corner struck
the hour OF ~ with slow, deliberate
strokes.
sudden breeze sprang up and
swung a shutter 10 with loud clatter
Then all was fearfully still when
slowly and distinctly from the far dis
lance came low. musical sound
Nearer and nearer Il came louder
and louder IL grew, until the whole
room was filled with the sweet melody
1t was singing, but singing such as
had never heard before. The words
were unintelligible but the sentiment
was OF JOY and happy rejoicing.
| sat spellbound until the sweet
sounds faded away as they had come.
/ could not tell whether they were
within or without overhead or under
our feet The melody was everywhere.
IL gave me strange unexplainable
feeling OF awe. | turned TO look AT
Mrs Blaire. Her face was ashen.
The lines about her mouth were tight
ly drawn. and the nervous hand that
grasped the back OF her chair shook
gisibly.
A feeling that I could not account
for OF wishing to shut out the night
prompted me TO draw the shades close
over the black windows and come
closer 20 the warmth and glow OF the
FIRE All this | observed and did be-
fore ] asked:
Did you hear anything Mrs. BlalreP"
Yes. / heard" murmured Mrs.
Blaire in scarcely more than whis-
per.
1T couldn't have been Jem. as
serted but TO satisfy myself went TO
the stairway and listened. heard
only the hard. regular breathing OF a
heavy sleeper.
What vas IL Mrs Blaire?" asked
again.
Mrs. Blaire had resumed her accus-
toned placid EXPIRE sion and said.
with light reassuring hugh;
Oh. IL was nothing at all Come
lot us 20 20 bed. We will not sit up
longer for Enoch. | will come In and
cit with you till you go TO sleep. II you
want me to- said was not In the
least AFRAID But lay awake for a
long time. wondering over the strange
scene. felt sure Mrs. Blaire had a
story and wanted 10 hear 1t
Though not a believer In spirits