The National tribune., 1897-11-04
1lakIkk G1.hs!e 1h1
~ tell|llrel Blooms
hA ........ And Men and Women
~ Live Near Natures Heart...-
By JOHN McELROY.

the oren do1. showed them to he rebel sol
ders, ana lie heard them ask the way to the
house to which he WAS Going and inquire II
Elder Stornmont had been seen to pass. lie
quietly followed after them TO tie hou'e
waited long hours under the dripping trees
for them TO weary Of watching for nm
When the next morning he saw al but oHe ci
them mount their horses and ride away over
the hilitnps. he rode boldly mp to the honse
dismountcd and entered. The rebel who had
been LETT to watch sitting III chalr De-
f re The fire smoking cob pipe, with his gun
, standing III Il corner. Before he }ea!lZed th;'t
the man before him was the one he WAS look
ing for the Elder had taken up his gun al"
sternly commanded him 10 resume his seat
and continue smoking. Sill Keeping the
gun in his hand and assuring himself that
there was none Other within The c&el' ) reach,
he went into the dying mans room, prayed
fcryently with him and his family and gave
them all the consolation that religion 'ouid
offer. Then be came back, broke the gUu by
a blow on the stone hearth gave the lehei a
stern lecture on the wickedness of the life he
and his fellows were leading. and particularly
on the enomity Of following jeff Dayis's lead
and doing his behestS and then rode calmly
away.
At another time he had ridden in the dark
ness along a dusty read. which masked tie
sound of his horses hG0t>, and come up III
most against the drowsy sentinel OStv!i at
the crossroads to watch for him before either
was aware OF the others presence. lie sell
tinel had attempted 10 raise his gun, but
found it twisted out Of his hands hya dexter
GUS wrench of the Elders powerful arms.
He was stelnly ordered to turn his horse, ride
ahead OF the Elder and rot utter a sound. if
he valued his lie. Toward midnight the
Elder broke his gun over rock and dismissed
him to make his way back as best lie could,
and tell what tale he pleased 10 his com
panions.
Often riding by obscure paths alon2 The
mcuntain-tops he would descry in the valley
below rebel parties making for the place
where he was expected.
Once he walked boldly cut on q high rock
overhanging the road on which they were,
called their attention t. him. assured them
that at the slightest sign of anyone attempt
Ing 10 shoot he would topple down Il rcck
which would crush everyone OF them, and
then gave them a long and searching adiur.s-
ton a generation o. Vlpers VINO should
flee from the wrath to CONE
Having finished. he walked back up the
mountain, mounted his horse, AMI rode away.
They could not get mp TO where he was with
out going miles roundabout
Presently it occurred TO the rebels that
the Elder cou!d be best caught at q funeral.
All the ChInkapin Cove people wanted him
to officiate at tie bIrial Of their relatives,
and the rebels arranged for Immediate in
formation as to the death Of anyone in the
wide stretch Of country over which the Elder
ministered.
The hot September sun was hanging for
i.
he dropped below them Tor the night, when
large concourse OF m0untaineers Lad
gathered around the heap Of red clods on the
hill top, beneath which they were TO lay for
his last sleep the body Of tie venerable Ahner
Treadwell, known and respected all over The
mountain-side.
The Elder bad been lining out = 10 the
people, who sang it with an eaTnestness ac-
centuated by the sorrows they were all under
going,
Come, sc diseonsola,e'
and lifted high upon the warm, still air by
the strong baritone OF the men and the sweet
soprano OF the women rang cut the sublime
assurance:
Here bring your wounded heart, here tell your
anguish;
Earth has no BORROW Heaven canno, heal
The Elder closed his hyInn-book and adj
yanced to the side Of the grave 10 speak the
last words rs the clGds rallied upon tie coffin
amid tie sobs Of the women and the ferycnt
CALCULATIONS Of tic deyout elderly men
Miriam Ielt a twitch ;ti heI dress and Reuben
said in low, but excited tones:
. Look thar. Sis y
Over the eastern hilltop, a few hundred
ya:ds away, appeared squad Of rebels,
mounted. and lei by Capt. sam Griggs and
Sergt Inn Hoskins
They broke into a gallop as they saw the
coucourse and with yells dashed over the
low fence around the graveyard and directly
up 10 the gathering. Tie frightened women
screamed and ran back 10 the trees under
which they had lain their babies The older
women, with trembling STEPS, gathered
around them, dragging the elder children
with them Bildad. Reub and the Iest Of
the boys spgang for their rifles, but the older
men stayed their hands.
We'uns We got yo' at last, yo' ole muir
derer and bridge burner, shouted Jim Hos
kns, bringing down his gun close To the
Elders head. Surrender at onct, or III
blow yer pizen head often yo' J."
Reuben and Bldad sprang behind per
simmon trees, and took deliberate aim at
Grgg5 and Hoskius, but Robert Inrule was
as quick rs they and threw their guns up.
Jest saved yoself, ole man, by thet''
said Wash Briggs, grinning behind his
leyeled gun. - had yo' kivyered, an wnz
on the pint o drappin' yo' Take them
guns way from them e'er brats an spank
EN-, or it'll be bad fur all on you MS
The Elder calmly turned his head to face
his enemies, and in loud stern voice. said
- Sons Of Belial, minions Of the Evil One.
szzz-zz--z-z.a----z--z-.z.-z - ~ -