Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-01-23
LYDDY'S TRIUMPH.

The house in which | went 10 board
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 q dense growth OF trees.
A turn OF the road quarter OF mile
away brought one TO tho school house,
church. half a dozen dwellings and
the one store OF the place.
The family with which | boarded
consisted OF Mr.. Enooh Blaire, an itin-
Grant preacher. with a 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 II
years OF age.
One evening, after had, been a rlem.
Der OF the family several weeks and
the strained relations Of schoOlma' am
and boarding mistress had worn away
Mrs. Blaire asked me TO bring my
books into the kitchen and sit with
her Jem had gone to bed with a
toothache, and Euoch was at revival
meeting in the next district He
would not b. home until very late and
she was going 70 sit up for him
accepted the invitation gladly. Tor
the bright cheerful kitchen was my
delight was 20 spotles5!y clean and
hOmelike the pleasau.est room in tho
house A warm fire added TO the
cheeriulncs5 for the iaI! nights had
grown chilly
Mrs. Blaire did 10" her dishes
brushed the floor strained the milk
while | looked over the next days les
sons; then " drew our chairs nearer
the fire tor ono Of tho talks | had
crown 10 enjoy 50 much.
What shall we talk about2' said
/ Mrs. Blairo, as she clicked her knit
/ ting needles "Religiou2'
/ This was her fayorits theme and
/ loved to hear her express her Baptist
/ views OF lite and death. So | led her
70 talk, till at length looked al tho
/ clock. II marked 1880.
Where eau Euoch beo' said Mrs
Blaire, gathering up her work. He
/ WIS never 80 late before.
She arose went to tho window and
peered out into the intense darkness.
shiyered slightly came back and
threw few more sticks on the fire
We sat some time 10 silence. watching
the sparks Ny out through the hearth
Of the cooking stove,
The old clock in the corner struck
the hour o. IL with slow. deliberate
strokes.
A sudden breeze sprang up and
swung shutter TO with loud cIatter
Then all was foaril!ly still. when
slowly and distinctly from the far dis.
lance came low, musical sound
Nearer and nearer II came. louder
and louder il grow. until the whole
room was filled with the sweet melody.
1t was singing but singing such rs
had never heard before. Tho word.
were unintelligible but the sentiment
was OF JOY and happy re. olcing
| sat spellbound until the sweet
sounds faded away IA they had come.
could not tell whether they were
within or without overhead or undot
our feet The melody was everywhere
II gave mo strange unexplairabl,
feeling OF awe turned to look a
Mrs. Blaire Her face WINS ashon
The lines about her mouth were tight
~ drawn, and tho nervous hand thu
grasred the back " her chair shoot
visibly.
A feeling that ! could not accoun
for OF Wishing to shut out the nigh
prompted ms to draw the shades clos,
over the black windows and com,
closer to the warmth and glow Of tn,
fire All this ! observed and did DO
fore ! asked
Did you hear anything Mrs Blaire2'
yes, | heard murmured Mrs
Blaire, IN scarcely more than a whis
per
1T couldn't have beer Jem, as
sorted, but to satisfy myself | went +,
tho stairway and listened. I hcart
only the hard, regular breathing o.
heavy sleeper
What was II, Mrs. Blairc?" ! asket
again.
Mrs. Blaire had resumed her accus
toned placid EXPIRE sion and said
with % light, reassuring laugh.
"Oh, il was nothing at all. Come
let us go to bed We will not st u
longer for Enoch. / will come in an,
sit with you till you go to sleep. II yo
want me to- ] said / was not in tn
least afraid But lay awake for
long time, wondering over tho stranR
scene felt sure Mrs Blaire had
story, and | wanted TO hear IL
Though not n believer in spirits
anything supernatural had n strang
fascination for me.
Mrs. Blairo and / werc left alon
again the next evening. As we agai
drew our chairs up before the crack
ling fire, my companion said withou
any introduction;
,My dear, I'm going to toll you
strange story"
did not speak
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