The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-05-14
\ A RECONC IIlIATION.,

The fog that had prevailed during the
early hours Of the morning disappeared
before the bright rays Of the sun as it
arose above the mountains. We had a
clear view Of the Juniata from the point
q mile above us, where it surged around
q little bluff, crowned with clump Of
budding trees, until 1t was lost again
in y gap in the dark, green ridges q J
mile below. At our feet rushed the
swollen river, which the heavy rains
that had ,deluged the country during
the week previous had transformed
from peaceful little stream into an
angry flood, SO that it stretched out
it's arms. and despoiled many rich {:
farm and laborer's home. Now 1t was
bearing its booty on it's broad, turbu-
lent bosom to the valleys below, there
to cast it aside On the day before a
barn, with frightened fowl perched
high upon it's peaked roof, had floated
Ivy the spot where Sam Soper and
were standing; several small frame
houses, corn cribs and other rickety
farm buildings had gone bobblng mer-.
rily along on the swift current; great
trees. uprooted by the greedy waters.
barrels, boxes and household furni.
ture had we SEEN. To-day the flood was
ebbing: its strength was gone; the
rains had ceased, and for the first time
after many days we could see the sun
overhead. .g4r ,..- .
I glanced from the river into the face
of the man at my side.
II guess, Sam, we will not see any
more houses go by I said; nothing
but barrels and such uninteresting OBJ
iects. suppose, though. they will be
of use to the people below"
''It's an i'll wind ez blows nobody any
good, ex Pete Siders sais," he replied,
solemnly. ''The folks up the valley'll
miss them bawrels an things, but
they'll come handy to them below ez
ketches EN-"
laughed.
1T is easy for you to argue in this
manner, for you ore one of the fortu-
nate ones, unless some one claims that
rocking chair that you rescued from
drowning"
A faint smile passed over Soper's face.
It was quickly gone, and his counte-
oance resumed it's habitual stolid look.
He replied, somewhat grutfly:
"Ef Teller don't seize his oppor-
t,,11ity, it won't seize him. He hesi-
tatcS, and then added: ''Ez Pete Siders
eais."
'Tell me-" I cried, ''who is this oracle
of yours whom you are forever quot
ing?"
For during my few days acquaint-
ance with the rough fellow at my side
l1ad been struck by the fact that he
frequently made use Of ancient adages,
the credit for the invention OF which
was always given TO the mysterious
Siders. :e 49,. "a -.
{ I seated myself upon q stump and
awaited his reply. He was o crude,
rather stupid-looking man, clad in "a 9
rough garb that betokened his rural
cnvironments-a ragged 9TH cap, q
heavy, well patched suit, which Had
cnce been of gray material, a collarless
shirt and high boots. His hair had
been close-cropped few days before,
in token of the coming of summer, and
his unkempt black beard stood out in
bold contrast to his seeming badness.
His nose was narrow, long and hooked,
and hiss.eyes were deep-set beneath
shaggy brows.
Aftersa long pause he replied to my
question ina drawing tone, and with.
the manner of a man perfectly con-
vinced of the truth of what he said: -.
EFF you uns he'd ez much in your head
ez Pete Siders hes in his leetle finger,
you'd be smart man."
"But who is he? I exclaimed. II
have visited this valley yearly since I
was a boy, yet never before heard of
him. lie does not live heredbouts, docs
hep leF..>&s.. %& v
Soper seated himself beside me and
replied: ..,~ - -.
mo, he don't. He lives up the valley
acrost the river. usetcr live near
him, tell me an him he'd words an fell
out. You see, Pete he was wonderful
smart, an was no match fer him. My
place almost jined his. an he.mawried
me sister. He knowed heap, did Pete,
an he'd read most Of the books they is.
You uns 'ud hev enjoyed talkin' to him.
YOU would, fer he'd travelled Q lot in
his younger days, an he'd q good edjur-
cation. An at music. Hedgins! Il
kin feel that old fiddle of his'n a-goin'
thoo me VT. It jest made you all blue
when He played sorrerful pieces. He
tho't a heap Of tibet fiddle, he did. AT!
hut tell you they is few men like Pete
Siders!" III M
.'How did you ever happen topart with
this paragon. SAM" asked. r g y
"Paragone," he repeated sadly. s''1
never heard him called tibet. ,Mebbe he
= as one, fer he was most everything.
How did we hev words. Hawgs;4 jest
{. few hawgs done it. Sometimes I
think it was my fault, an on them days
when low I'm to blame I;allus intend
n to go. over to- his place an make up But
I've never ben able to git off at them
times; an when I kin git of allns
blame Pete an cal'late he kin come u
zee me-"
1T must have been q very serious
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