Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-05-13


Ing the sound found the old man in the
ruined field singing among the stub
bic. Not n break in the grand Old
hymn to tell of doubt or DISCOURAGE
ment or distrust. In the midst of
wreck and ruin the altar had been
erected and reconsecrated TO Him
who sends both sun to soften and rain
TO destroy.
Its bad. mighty bad. a.comin' on
me just now; there amt no denyin' O.
that" he told neighbor Foster. But
the corndeld's left an that's a good
deal 10 be thankful for"
80 It's. SO It's. replied the farmer
ani he went home feeling that some
how Deacon Ellis affairs were as bad
as they could be, but might be worse
II the deacon had mind TO look on
the dark side
We'll" said Mrs, Foster. when her
good man rode into the back yard.
lis Deacon Ellis a-thinking of the
Lord. because the wheats all spilled
'Zekiel?"
'.No, Nancy replied Farmer Fos-
tor. the deacon amt such fool as
to do that. He's some cut up about
the wheat. but he's Jubileein' pow'ful
over tho corn"
well when the corn's gone he'll
nitrate over the ground being let.
An when that's TUX there'll sholy be
nothin' left for Deacon Ellis to be
gloryGyn' over. An it'll be TUX.
mark what tell you, 'Zekiel."
1t was not long after this that the
6PnPOn'S llf' Ia ni,1 1tal
the heaviest blow that had fallen upon
him. but so deeply engrosscd was he
in the effort to comfort his stricken
vile that he forgot his own sorrow,
and failed also to notice that the
drouth had ripened the corn before its
time; so that where he had hoped to
find the full. ripe ear. only premature
nubbins were hidden away under the
crisp yellow shucks.
well" the deacon drew his wife's
head to his bosom. 1--WE have got each
other. Mary an that's heap to
thank the Lord for"
But even that solace was denied
him very long. Always as the dea-
con said, lone of the ailin' ones. :"
the strain upon mind and heart was
too great for the frail body. and Mrs
Ellis was LAID to rest by the side
OF her little girl under the cedars be.
yond the wheatfield.
The deacons cross was growing
heavy indeed. The neighbors began
to call him job and, although his
voice still led the old hymn on Sab.
bath mornings IN the village church.
there was n culver in it that told how
heavily the tired heart was leaning
upon tho Goodness and Mercy"
which he declared had followed him
all the days of his life"
Yet he still sang IN the cornfeld
whom the skinny nubbins had been
stored and there was nothing to do
but to gather the fodder:
oh, 10 Grace how great debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be-"
Tho poor heart felt revival of the
long tried trust as tho crisp golden
blades rustled to his touch. Its
something to be thankful for" he said
to his hired boy David pulling the
last a"mful from the stunted stalks.
Then the harvesting was finished;
except the gathering of the pippins
and the wlno-saps, and rs the crop
had been short one, the gathering
OF it in was a small matter.
We've got enough TO eat any
how" he told the neighbors IAN
that's something to be thankful
for.
Finally tho fruit was stored and
Deacon Ellis entered into his we'll
earned winter rest.
The Lord will let Job alone now, ;"
Farmer Fosters wife now said. AN
sholy il is time
But the doacon's troubles were not
yet ended: there was still one more
calamity in store for him-the fir.
that burned his barns and DESTROYED
his last faint hope of paying off the
mortgage upon his land 1t was
nearly the final stroke. The old man
had buried his wife and child. for
whom he worked and saved now the
means OF his own livelihood were
vanishing.
His neighbors were appalled,. The
good old deacon had no enemies; and
now even those who had found some
thing TO laugh at in his great faith
in the face OF calamity were shocked.
The Sunday following the burning
of the barns the neighbors met early
at the church and discussed the matter
among themselves. 1t was finally de.
cide1 that among themselves they
would raise enough money to pay off
the mortgage on the farm. and from
their own full granaries furnish seed
for the next years crop.
n
once more" said Farmer Foster, with
big tear IN either eye.
And have somethin' to bless Him
for, " added his wife, as she brushed
OF crystal drop that had trickled TO
the tip of her nose.
Then some one whispered that the
deacon was at the door and the con-
gregation settled down to its accus.
toned quiet and decorum as the old
man entered. He was aging. Deacon
Ellis was, he leaned heavily upon his
staff, and the neighbors noticed. for
the first time how the silver in his
hair had given place to snow
Farmer Fosters tears no longer
stood in his eyes but followed each
other in quick succession down his
sun Drowned checks. He felt as did
many others of the congregation, that
ut last Deacon Ellis stood face to face
with that moment in his life when
there was nothing left for gratitude.
For the first Sunday since the little
church had heard his nravere thara