Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-12-13

He was strong. broad uldsred,
and he started with his burden.
i 6ysly watched him with doubt
and unrest.
Was 1t possible that he could reach
Widdecombe with such burdenf II
he reached the mill, could he carry
back the sack of -four? She watched
him down the hill, and across the
Wallnbrook that gives It's name Wal
M (now corrupted into Warner) to
his fathers farm. Then ensued an
ascent, and she saw him toiling up
the hill Of Sousson's Moor with the
sack en- his back, Was thore any
avail In his undertaking this tremen-
dous exertion? Surely her father, II
he had intended to give his consent.
would not have made it conditional
on the discharge of such task |!
Surely, II he had designed to make
Ephraim his son-in-law, he would not
have 'subjected him to such strain |
Was it not probable that Ephraim
would do himself an injury in at
tempting this impossible task?
Sysly knew the resolution, the lova
OF the silent, strong-hearted man !;
she felt assured that he would labor
on under his burden, toll up the steep
slopes-struggle, with Precipitation
streaming, with painting lungs and
qulvering muscles, up the great ridge
OF Hamledon-that he would pursue
his purpose till nature gave way.
And for what She did not share
his confidence in the good faith Of
her father. She watched Ephraim
till the tears so clouded her eyes that
she could see the patient, faithful
man NJ longer.
Hours passed The evening came
on; and Quintin Creeber returned to
the house.
Where is Ephraim?" he asked.
II want to have the mare blistered--
she can't put foot to the ground"
"Ephraim is gone to Widdecombe,"
answered Sysly.
ITO Widdecombe? Who gave him
leave?"
Father, you told him to carry the
sack"
Old Creeber stood aghast.
To carry the sack % rye!"
"You told him he was to take that
to the mill, and bring back -four"
1T was nonsense. / never meant
1t. 1t was put-off.. He can't do IL.
No man can. He'll chuck the sack
down on the way and come back
without it."
Hell never do that, Father"
Quintin Creeber was much aston
ished. The man had taken him at
his word. The more fool he. He
had attempted the impossible. Well,
there was this advantage. When
Weekes returned without the -four or
rye, he. Quintin. would be able to
laugh at him and say: "You have
not fulfilled the condition, therefore
mo Sysly for YOU"
Quintin Creeber walked out of his
farm buildings and went to the Wild
decombe road.
''Pshaw," said he, "the man is an
ass. He couldn't do it. He should
have known that, and not have at
tempted it,"
AS he said these words to himself
he discerned in the evening glow
over Sousson's Moor figure descend
ing the path or road.
by gum!' said the farmer, 'it is
Ephraim. He's never done it; he
has come back beat-turned halfway.
How the chap staggers! BY crock
he's down, he's fallen over stone.
The weight is too much for him des-
cending. / swear, il didn't know
he were as temperate as-as-no one
else on the moor, I'd say he were
drunk, he reels so. There he is now
at the bridge. Ha! he has set the
sack down, and is leaning-his head
on it. reckon he's just about dead
beat. The more fool he! He
should ha' known / meyer meant it.
What! he's coming on again. Up
hill! That'll try him. Gum! u
snail goes faster. He has halt
every three steps. He dareFt set
down the sack; he'd never get her
up on his back again. There he is,
down on one knee; kneeling to his
prayers, be he? or taking his breath?
He's up again and crawling on.
Well, / rccken this is pretty bit of
strain for Ephraim, up this steep
ascent wi sack O. -four on his back,
and four to five miles behind him"
The farmer watched the man as he
toiled up the road, step by step; 1t
seemed as il each must be the last,
and he must collapse, go down in a
heap at the next Slowly. however,
he forged on till he came up to Quin-
tin. Then the yeoman saw his face.
Ephraim was haggard, his eyes start
ing from his head; he breathed
hoarsely, like one snoring, and there
was froth on his lips.
Quintin Creeber put his hand under
the sack. by gum!" said he;
''hourl"
1t was even so. That man had car
ried the burden of rye to the mill,
and had come back with it in the con-
dition Of -four.
Half-supporting the sack, the
farmer attended his man as he
stumbled forward, turned out of the
road, and took the track to Runnage.
Ephraim could not speak. He
looked out OF his great, starting eyes
at the master, and moved his lips;
but foam, not words formed on them.
They were purple, cracked and bleed
ing So they went on till they
reached the farm. Then, in the
| outer chamber. without n word. Eph-