Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-04-30


his highest ambition had been graft
Ned. With words Of congratulation
his friends crowded around him. IL
was Joyous atmosphere indeed, while
his wife gazed at him with the love
light in her eyes.
Dearest" he exclaimed. suddenly,
as he withdrew with her for q moment
10 q corner OF the apartment which
overlooked the garden with its wind
Ing paths. from which strains of music
arose. inviting all 10 the dance: dear
est, must leave thee now
%, Abner." the bride half sobbed In
reply, "wouIdst thou leave me az this
moment Of all moments In the world?
Why, the echoes Of the marriage bless
ings still resound in the air. Whittier
wouldst thou go. dearest Surely"
she added. with a look Of reproach.
thy place is now at my side. Wopldst
thou forsake me on our wedding day.
Nay. my beloved: make no close
inquiry. nor seek TO restrain me.
must 90. ! have sworn to go. Only
trust in me and doubt not my faithful
ness. ! shall return within an hour.
and then explain all TO thee. Have no
fear for my sake" And without fur
Their farewell than a quick embrace.
Abner left her and hurried into the
open afr before her astonished guests
could realize that the bridegroom was
missing.
or all the youth IN Jerusalem Abner
and Caleb were the comeliest lads. and
their friendship had grown into a
proYerb. Close companions az school
from boyhood 20 early manhood. no
love could have been more tender. no
sympathy more profound. than that
which made them kindred spirits. They
were fond OF the same pleasures. they
shared the same dreams. their studies
and occupations were alike. their as
pirations identical They loved TO
give free rein TO their faneies with
youths rapt enthusiasm and build such
dream palaces that the magic splendor
OF Solomon's creations paied in com
parison. What a daring architect is
youth, II knows not the impossible.
II bridges the chasm OF infinite time:
/ 81 rears a structure to the highest hea-
ven. II summons TO ifs aid principal
titles and powers. and never acknowl-
edges defeat. Love and hope and faith
are the patient genii who at its exalt-
and bidding transform earth and sky.
Among the topics which Abner and
/ Caleb were fond of discussing as they
grew TO maturity the future life and
immortality appealed to them most
strongly. The fact that II was but
dimly foreshadowed In the law and the
/ prophets added TO its fascination. and
are rare references TO 1t in the debates
OF the schools only increased It's hold
upon them. One day. In the heat OF
/ their arguments. Caleb. more impas-
| stoned than usual. lad seized his com
panion's hand.
aAbner." he exclaimed. "wonldsi
thou know the secrets Of eternal life?'
why, Caieb," Abner rejoined. moved
By his friends earnestness, what q
strange question to ask? How can We
mortais understand aught Of immor-
tality? Does not our law say that the
secret things belong TO the Lord?'"
Faith can pierce all barriers. dear
friend" Caleb answered impressively
land love. though buried from sight
can make its own revelation"
what dost thou mean, Caleb. By
those mysterious words and thrilling
tonee?. Abner inquired, deeply stirred
for he felt that never before had theii
conversation been so earnest
''Dost thou not believe. Abner, II
Immortality?
Surely, Caleb. do. as the centra
conviction of my nature"
"If this is thy belief. then. may no
the immortal spirit seek converse will
mortality and minister TO the want
and desires OF mortal flesh on earth 2
Caleb. thou shouldst not speak II
this strain. II is almost blasphemy
Think OF the fate of the sons OF Aaron
who brought strange fire into the sane
tuary!"
Nay. Abner, am guilty OF no bias
phemy. am convinced that thos
who pass from life do not become a
petrified as the slabs that cover them
T.hav hover around those who love
them and whom they loved on cart
and mingle in their joys and sorrows.
'It must be so, Caleb. II thou think
est co. said Abner after pause.
Come. Abner." Caleb solemnly ex
claimed. alet us swear by the eterna
that IL either OF Us die the survive
shall seek to communicate with the de
parted one and visit the sepulcher a
the moment of his highest happines
on earth. Then Il is my fervent belle
that the secret of heavenly happines
win be unfolded. and we shall attai
the highest degree of intelligence. "
The compact was made-an unusui
thing In those days among the pior
Jewish youth--and the conversatio
ended. In few years Caleb died, an
Abner disconsolate and detected. dli
dained for while all society, but sper
the largest share OF his leisure at n
friends grave, rejecting on his genii
|. traits and their loving intercoars