The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-10-29

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 see you about
little matter"
Story rose to his feet and walked out
to the Colonels carriage.
"What is it, Colonel
Brainard put his hand on Stoiy's
shoulder 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
do you think of it
II think it is a pretty strong one,
Colonel, was the frank reply: Gin fact,
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 a path,
and do you remember ever seeing tree
left standing in any one OF those
paths? And did you ever think OF what
a tremendous force it must have been
that 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!'
eff you were met said the Colonel,
mocki1rgly. "But you're not me, Story,
and I, Brainard, don't take back any
thing [ 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
Amasa Story should have o 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 the bolts!'
And Story would answer cheerily:
"+The Lord has got lots of patience,
Colonel!'
Winter came on. Colonel Brainard
and Amasa Story both engaged in extern
siye 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 a 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 go to
the village.
Hello Story!" he shouted as soon as
he caught sight of Story's CHEEKY face,
''whon did you get homer"
''Just come, Colonel!' answered the
other heartily. "What's the news?
Everybody all we'll up to your placer
pretty well, 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 eye on that barn, said the Col
Onel with the same old hooking infection
in his voice.
Story colored furiously. 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:
mo 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 he came within sound
of his voice.
Matters went on after this fashion
until midsummer. One day about the
last of July, the sun rose in the morning
Just like ball of red-hot iron. All the
forenoon the very air had a quivering
appearance, as though it were painting in
the intense heat, and the glare of the
sunshine was binding. But, in the
afternoon, soft haze came into the air
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 a
soft, feecy mass of misty cloud; butts
how they seemed to bring with them
deathly stiffness that settled down over
everything, g fold upon fold;" and it's
influence was felt by evcnColonel Brain
ard himself.
He harnessed up his horse, and down
town he came. Story and number of
his friends were standing on the steps of
the village store, busily, 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 momeAt,
abruptly stopped. By this time he
dreaded the SIGHT of that dark mopkin o.