The National tribune., 1897-08-05
~ ~ kkS4b,!t 1h.
- laurel Blooms
- ....... And Men and Women
Live Near Natures Heart
By
By JOHN MeELROY.

, |
their streams flowed eventually to New Orleans
every thing they had to sell went there for nal
market, all that they bought came from there.
| In every community were adventurous young
men who had actually been TO New Orleans
going thither on produce boats or timber RATS,
and bringing back wild tales OF the splendor,
magnifcence and riotous wickeduess Of the
great metropolis.
My father and Roberts father WIZ both at
the battle ~ New Orleans" said Mrs. Inrule,
with the Tennessee militia under Gin. jack
son, and they said that even then the city wuz
made up o pirates an robbers who oughter We
been hung. They wouldn't fight fur the city
theirselges an give Gin. jackson no eend o
trouble"
Z" But what dye thinks akchelIy gwins {
happen EIder?" persisted Robert Inrule.
That. brother, I'll not attempt to say. !
believe it's all foretold in the Book o Re7ela-
tionS and I've studied it over increasingly, and
prayed God to give me light to understand lis
words. Doubtless lie will give light in His
own good time. 1t is for and for us to act
up to such light as we may receive. I'm GER
tain, though. that the dragon which drew
with his tail third part of the stars out o
heaven means JEFF Davis and the South
ern Confederacy, which has taken just
exactly n third o the stars cut Of our
Union. 1t is written that he had seven heads
and seven crowns on them. That means the
seven States which have already seeded
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama
Mississippi, Louisiana, aud Texas. The beast
had 10 horns That means that three more
States to go out-Virginia, North Carolina
and Arkansas 1t may be that the thunder of
| the big cannon at Charleston was the sounding
| of the first trumpet which is to let loose the
| seven deadly plaques upon the land, when
there will be thunder, lightniDgs, airtbquakes
the turning of part Of the seas to blood aud the
rivers to w0rmwood. lt may be- that the end
of all this will be the great battle of Arma-
| gcddOn. when Apollyon and his hosts Will be
overcome. and Satan be chained for thousand
| years We do not know. We can only hope
and pray, and stand ready to do our parts in
the struggle of the Lord against the mighty"
! There MAS an awed silence after the Elder
concluded. Henry Clay Pollock was the first
| to break it.
"If there's a-gwine T. be sich overturnins',
an troubles, an plaques, an cusses, an sich
other ructions," said he, very slowly, hits
my plain duty . look out fur Miriam Inrule
think we oughter git married right off, SOS /
kin begin takin' keer of her and her'n at
onct."
Let pap take keer O me till Fall. Clay"
said Miriam, brightly. Then if the job gifts
too big fur him yo kin take hit often his
hands"
Elder, don't the Scriptures say something
about young mans not takin' a wife until
be has his house finished ?" asked Mrs. Inrule,
roguishly.
Il believe there are some texts which are
read to mean that" answered the Elder.
Come out here with me, Clay" said Miriam,
rising and sprnging down the path. 81 want
ye to help me gather up the linen"
This was a task of peculiar happiness for her
and her betrothed. A meadow lot near the
house was fairly covered with sheets, coverlets
towels, spreads, tablecloths, and the like spread
out to sun and bleach. Every stitch was the
product of Mriam's own hands worked in
loving anticipation of her and PoIlocks home
She had spun the fax by freight in the long
Winter evenings when the rain was beating
on the roof and the wind bowling through the
naked trees the noun tain tops. She had
stayed up late and risen early to ply the loom
in the rude loom-shed adjoining the house, and
every thread represented thought of her
future husband and the life they were to
spend together.
He caught her hand as they walked toward
the grass plot and poured into her willing ear
rustically phrased but none the less sincere and
acceptable assurances Of his love and admira-
tion for her, and loHgings for the day when
she should be his very own
They gathered up the pieces Of snowy linen,
one by one, dalied for few moments over
each to comment upon its fine texture and
beautiful finish, and she receive his compli.
ments upon her skill and industry.
1t was an hour of unalioyed happiness for
both. They forgot the Elders forehod ings and
only thought Of their love for one another. and
of the joy of spending their lives together
The linen, fragrant with the fresh breath of
the sweet grass was carefully folded and packed
away IN the chest which was to carry the
brides portion to her new home, and they had
to separate, for Miriam must get supper. while |
Pollock went down to the stable to help the |
boys to care for the stock.
After supper he went out with Miriam TO |
help her milk. and to see and pet the heifers |
presented to her by her father when calves. for |
her cows when she should be married, and which |
she had petted and cared for until they were as |
aHectionately demonstrative as dogs.
Pollock carried the mix in home made cedar |
buckets 10 the cool, pleasant Sprin house with |
Miriam walking by his side, while they talked /
of the never-tiring topic of their future She |
strained the milk and set it away" and /
hand-in-hand they started back to the house
through the deepening dusk.
They stopped by the gate, and sat down upon
the stones. with his arm around her The JOY
of being alone together was too great to lose
any portion of ii.
The sound of yells and gallopiug horses COM
ing up the road startled them,
whats that?" asked Pollock
a. 'spect hits that Hoskins tribe ont on the
rampage agin. They godOwn t ole 81 Bliuker's
'stilery. an' git full O. nubbin whisky an seces-
sion an then cavort through the country. vel
lin like lpluns, an shootin off their guns
reckless like They cum muty nigh kiIIin'
pap's best hoss last week, an hit did seem pur-
poSe-like. day or two alter Reub met young |
Jim Hoskins on the way T. mill, an give him a
lickin.'
Hooray fur JEFF Davisi Hoorav fur the
Southern C'nfedr'sy," shouted the band,
refining up III front of the house "D-n
tho white-ivcred Aberlishunists. Ole Bob In
rule. y're an Aberlishunist. Ye oughter be
hung.
Several shots were fired. and the bullets sang
over the house. Like tiger from his covert
Henry Clay Pollock sprang up from the dark
ness. where he had heen unnoticed by the
rowdies, and leaped into the midst of them.
He tore Big Jim Hosklns from his saddle, and
dung him over the side of the road He did
not get as good hold of the next man. and ONLY
inhorsed him. The frightened remainder put
spurs to their horses and ealoped away, fol-
owed presently by the two dismounted ones
with whom Pollock did not interfere farther
han to give vigorous warning as to what he
would do next time.
u wish y'd broke Big Jim's wuthless nec.s1
aid Miriam, palpitating with admiration of =
Ter lovers feat. Pm afeared he skeered
mother turIbe. She's so nervous since she's
lin sick"
ITO DC continued)
The cause of weak is impure blood.
Hoods Sarsaparila puriiies the blood and cures.