The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1892-08-18
HsAss d 4. in Lssveng Pov-u Govt Repo, Aug ~ 1852
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ABSOLUTELY PURE
ABSOLUTELY PURE
DAVE.

tstiops, spent many pleasant bonrs In bI
bachelor spsrtmenta One evening sfte
returning from . patient aud seating him
self before the fire TO the enjoyment OF
last cigar before retiring for the night
told me the following story;
A lev yesrs ago | left the care OF my ps
tiepts IN the hands Of brother physician
and went down to my old home in th
western part Of New York TO settle up tb,
remainder OF my business connected wit,
my fathers estate. II proved much NOR
Troublesome than ! expected and detained
me 10 the old place for several weeks
During this time Was guest ut isrn
house at the edge Of the village where ar
old friend OF the family resided.
According 10 the good custom OF thu
people 10 that section oi the coubtrv sll
the s,lsobes OF the farm were counted ~
members OF the household and dined to-
gether Ut the same large table. II was early
harvest time snd the family was increased
by number o. temporary farm help who
we're hired for the busy part OF the sea
Son. Among these Was young fellow Of
about twenty. OF fair complexion, broad
intelligent brow. but . cast OF counte.
nance expressive Of deep nelsncholy.
The men were Of jovisl set and filed in
the bis OF leisure st meal times and after
the days work was over in recounting
their numerous experiences. This man.
howeves. never shared In their hilsrity'
but sat silently apart in dark portion Of
the room until time ftr retiring. l in
quired who be was and WAS told that bis
name was Dave; they had never learned
his srrname; 10 fact, they had never ask ed
about it,
Dave bad come early in May and had
engaged Ter the season. He was an excelli
ent worker. they testified, but very reticent
never speaking except IN answer to . ques'
tion or when it Was sn absolute necessity
10 ask one. He vas kind to the animals.
clever IN taking htli Of any new kind o.
work, spd very Industrious, often perform
ing more than two good men. They did
not understand him. but hoped tbst he
could be hired for another season.
became deeply interested 10 this Dave.
and resolved to make . study Of bis char
scttr. and il possible. win him over to .
more cheerful view OF life. began TO I'D,
dress him whenever we met on various
topics conce rnirg bis work, but. although |
l received courteous answers, was wholly
unable to get him into conversation. He
seemed to be brooding over some painful
idea that refused him moments respite.
l noticed the restive. nervous energy
with which ho worked. % il only the most
isborions effort could keep down au In
ward demonstration Of tbougbt He oon
tinuosuly wore look OF depression. and
sometimes In the dim light OF the corner
where be sat after the day g work vas done
I fapcied l perceived tears in his eyes and
look OF agony on bis face. but be said
nothing. began to think that he was one
OF those enigmsiic beings upon whose
spirit some hidden disease had shed an
erernsl melancholy, sud that perhaps there
was no concrete cause for bis reticence
and gloom.
Ooe day the sun arose warmer than
ususl, and by noon the air had become SO
charged with heat and moisture as to rem
der physical eIeition almost impossible.
After dinner the men lay down 10 the
shade of the cool naples, and declared
their unwillnaness to do anything further
until late 10 the afternoon. They would
make up for lost time after sundcwn. Dave
however. took his fork as usual, snd star
ted for the field, and when the old farmer
called and urged him 10 wait until the
worst Of the midday heat had worn away.
be only shook his head. and answered that
be did not mind the beat.
Later. when the yonng men vent back
10 their work. they found Dave lying in
the burning sun ~ though dead. They
brought him 10 the house and placed him
under my care. For many days sitervsrd
bis life hung 10 . balance. aud only the
most careful nursing prevented the shock
from proving fatal Much Of the time be
VS. delirions. and In the rawlings OF bis
disordered mind learned something OF
his past history. He often cried ont: Elsie
| didn't do the deed, bnt they will hang
me; yes. they will hang me, for they heard
me cay that l sould kill hin. didn't
mean What said. and didn't do it, Elsie
don't you believe mef Come back. Elsie,
some back. Q me back and 10 his frantic !
esgerness l bad TO bold him down by
force
his voice became slmost pathetic o. be
for Elsie not 10 torn away With
that look OF horror on her face. II 10 not .
The hsnsing. Elsie. be often cried out
could EASILY die II II we're not that you be- 9
lievs me guilty. Oh. that sreicbed tb rsst
.nd that wre,ched qasrrel; but tell you. 3
Eisis, that | am Innocent Sometimes be ]
would srow quiet add murmur softly: /
knew, dear Eiise, thst you would b lieve c
me inrocett u
0us morning be opened bis eyes asd
ssv by bis looks that reason bad rfturned. =
lie s,ked What had happened. and told !
him ihsi be bed been very III. Are you '
the dot tort be asked, aud whose bonse IL o
thsf wss never 10 this room before. .
svsded the simple question by telling him c
that be vas With friends and tbs, be nus.
ktsp auiet and taIk and lhink q litlls q .