The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-02-09
Aud just that which seemcth dearest,
Beemcth hardest 10 give mn

est am willing Ia obey,
Yet, SO feeble is my vision, is it sure
this is the way?
How can He who sent the west wind.
lie who taught the birds to sing.
Say, whenever mortals touch it, music
is wicked thing?'
And rcbulsing said the elder: Foolish
are thy words and wrong.
The little birds do well To praise Him
with their voices and their song,
But these instruments are carnal Thou
dost speak beyond thy ken.
Woman lsnoweth naught OF reason.
That gift Is bestowed on men.
The Book sayeth that every woman
should look well to household
ways:
Should be humble and submissive, and
should raise her voice in praise
lis maiden's task. my child, To dill
gently sew and spin.
It's unmaidenly and sinful, II she play
the violin"
lie ceased speaking, and Faith stood
there, eyes east down and checks
aglow;
Then, with loving touch she laid her
hama on violin and bow,
saying simply; II obey thee. II use
them from this day,
Thou with justice shall rebu.Se me and
remove them far away"
Then the elder rose and left her. well
pleased with the duty done:
And Faith watched him down the val
ley radiant with the setting sun.
She made no complaint or au..nnr; she
had sinned. she must atone;
But the day seemed dark and cheer
less, all the light and music
the autuinn's ilccting gold.
And the winter, long and dreary, came
with bitter storm and cold.
All the day had il been showing, and
when early twilight fell.
Scarce "A trace could be discovered of
the roads once known so we'll
And good Capt. bradford. standing in
his fires rudy light,
Said: God pity any traveller who is
out on such a night"
IIark. sound of mufsled footsteps,
and a knock upon the door.
Then the voice of the old elder open.
captain, inplore.''
Quick Faith rose then. from her spin
ming. and the door was opened
wide.
And the elder. weak. halffrozen, came
with feeble steps inside
NAY" he said. IL must not tarry; l
can but few momen stay,
Tor old Goodman Dale is dying, and he
dwells a mile away.
But" said Capt. bradford. gravelv,
hast thou counted well the cost?
Buried now are all the landmarks. and
It's death If thou al t lost"
And the brave old elder answered.
while his face shone with strange
light:
I'm His hands all living things are;
what lie scnde;h will be right"
Then returned the captain, proudly:
"Ne'er shall il be said OF me
That shrank from any danger, Goest
then: 90 with thee"
All the time had Faith been standing,
though unnoticcd, white with
fear.
Now she started to dctain them, when
she plainly seemed TO hear:
"Just the thing which seemeih dearest,
sccmcth hardest 10 give up.
Is the sacrifice that's called for. Daugh-
ter, wilt thou drink this cup?"
And she checked the words unspoken,
and spoke words of quiet cheer.
And she watched them till they van
ishcd in the storm and darkness
drear.
Slowly. slowly dragged the hours. She
could only wait and pray
'rwo had passed-now three. Kind
Heaven. THEY had surely lost their
rdy'
Oh. what could she do to save them.
she girl on such a night.
Whose cold would freeze the strongest
traveller snow conceal the brig hit
est light?
Suddenly a thought came to her-was
it answer To her prayer?
Twas ''nnmaidenly and sinful;" and
her promisc-would she dare?
But her father and the elder! Aye, to
save them she would sin!
And with eager, trembling fingers she
took down her violin.