Smyrna times., 1892-02-10
HIS VOICE ON THE DRY HILLS.
BY CHARLES N. sINNETT.

BY CHARLES N. sINNETT.
The few brief snow-stOrms of the
winter had been chased by clear sun
shine which slowly, cunuingly drew up
all their moisture into the sky before
bit of it could sink into the frozen
ground. The drops from the half
dozen slight showers of the spring had
been mufiled and dried in the brown
dust of the fields. The four hours
rainstOrm in early June was closely
followed by hot wind which shook
every grass blade and field of spring
ing wheat as though angry that they
dared promise the farmers any crop.
1t was this state of things which made
hearts heavy all over North Dakota
Anxious hearts, however, have very
different ways of showing their trou-
bles.
Hugh Driscoll's crop had failed one
year The second season sudden
hail storm had cut wide swath
through his wheat. While his wife
prayed trustfully ne watched defantly
the signs Of the third year. From the
time when he first began to work, he
treats person whom be has helped in
a wrong spirit and now thinks its high
time that he should make return for
that service, though no such return
was thought of when the aid was rem
dered.
The earth owes me = living. I've
put lots of time and strength into it.
And Pm bound to have my living back
now"
That was the way in which Hugh
Driscoll expressed his feelings to
neighbOr. And Hugh Driscolls two
half-gOwn boys, knowing that they
could not 90 to school in the fall unless
rain came and the wheat grew, began
to look surly like their father as the
days wore on. They worked early
and late, but it was never in the spirit
of hopeful, trustful labor One could
see that by the cruel way in which
they lashed the horses now and then.
And how meanly they teased their
little brother Merton. when he wished
to follow them to the field And once
when their mother was praying in
their chamber, kneeling right by the
bed where they slept together, she
heard Ben say to Teddy:
This praying and having faith,
which some folks talk so much about,
! just helps to make the sky dry !"
And then Teddy answered, That's
| just so"
The woman knew well how the lads
had heard their father say things like
that. 1t cut her to the heart to think
how much evil they were learning
right there at home. She buried her
face in her hands. The tears trickled
fast through the fingers which had
grown so thin with hard work. But
she prayed with firm faith in the Lord
She whispered the words louder than
she knew until she finished her plead.
ings Then little voice at her side
began:
Dear Father ma and l want rain
real bad, and wheat, and some fax
and grass for old Billy and Dan, and
the calves, and pa to be-tO pray some
too. Amen
Little Merton had come softly u[
stairs, and this was his prayer. The
mothers tears trickled faster. But
EOw they were tears of joy. Witt
such dear boy to pray with her she
felt sure that God would hear and
help.
At the breakfast table the mex
morning Hugh DriscOll said to the
older boys,
Pm going to give you and you
mother a vacation to-day. I'm gOinl
to send you of. I'm going to senC
you off to the hills on a picnic anC
Merton and l will keep house"
The mother marked with deep pair
the strange look which the father ben
upon Merton. She knew that the
hopeful words about the weather which
the child spoke now and then angereC
him at times. She was afraid that h,
meant to threaten the little fellow
and try to make him talk iu the reck
less way in which both Ben and Tedd,
did so often, but she talked on cheer
fully about the plan for the day, ant
gave no sign of her troubled thoughts
When she rode away she did not wav
back any warning signal for Merton T.
be true and faithful. He had look eC
into her face with such trust that sh
felt that, though in his innocence b.
did not guess to what temptations b
might be exposed that day, God wOul
keep him safe aud pure.
The boy stayed so closely by hi
father all the forenoon, and seemed 6,
ready to help him, that somehow tn
latter found it was not easy to say tn
. words which he had been planning t
speak. But while they were eatinJ
dinner Merton spoke something abou
the rain soon coming down to max
the crops grow.
: ut won't rain for month";" Hug
/ DriscOll broke out, land I'm not gOin
to have you talking in such a fOOlisl
way, and"
, "But, papa, there's a cloud comm
, up over the hills now"
, Rumble went the thunder. Th
. The father started rather nervOusly.
TITS just Gods voice speaking :
| us" said the boy. HE used to lik
/ to talk to His people on the grea
hills"
The thunder rolled still more heav
lily, and Hugh nriscoll saw q fash {
8 lightning dart through the big blac
, cloud.
q "It'n just soak wife and the boys,
he grumbled, In spite of Merton
a happy look. "And Teddy has neye
been so strong as Ben. l don't knov
how ] could ever get along withoU
him if he should get cold and be sicl
= he's such a help about planning ell OF
work"
: "God will take care of him, answe
= cd the lad hopefully.
v "He seems to be doing it," said I'll
8 father sarcastically. "The shower
rolling right down over the bill
4 Floods of rain are pouring out thel
4 where it won't do a bit of goo
p We shan't get drop on the wheat az
fax"