Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-06-07

the mist-laden mountains, In the fore
lground . rustic bridge across . tiny
gurgling stresm, where the sunlight
found entr ,nc, through the leahesi
branches Of the overhauging trees, and
flashed q million diamonds upon thu
laughing ripples. The water was Of thu
clearest amber, and the color OF every
red AMI yellow and ollve-green pebbl.
could he seen at the bottom. Again anC
again the eyes would turn towards thai
fading figure In the distance, and wheE
one more step would hide II from view
the hand was raised In farewell, with the
ans wering response OF the rustic bui
beautiful hand Of the picturesque youth
ful cotter.
been kept In sight all the way by It,
curling line OF smoke, the hand seemed
suddenly to encounter something cold
Looking down, q great shepherd doG
was observed trotting alongside. Al
answering cxress was rewarded by hi
laying his noble head In the hand held
out 70 him, and thus the two friends, bul
moment ago strangers, approached
the house. No knock was needed B.
bring forth the mistress of thi, unique
shode, for the questioning bark OF tn.
dog who hsd escorted his "puir earth.
born companion and f-llow-mortai" IA
the door, was answered by q tall, well
fashioned Scotchwomsn, with mild eyes
snd an expression Of great gentleness
Our companion and fellow had evidently
paved the way by telling in his mute
dog.l .pgusge that the stranger was vel.
come; and almost before the object OF
the visit WAS made known, the invitation
To come In was "a hearty from lips that
could speak, "a that from lips though
dumb yet ape ,king--and was accepted
with alscrity, much to the delight OF tn,
dog, who, when the visitor Was seated,
proceeded to lie down ut her feet, hi.
wsgging tail still welcoming in Its most
eloquent language.
ALLOW me to apologize for coming
with no introduction, Mistr o. MacW Whic.
den, and beg you to pardon the intru.
sion-and the intruder" "Dinns speak
o. It," says the kind-hesrted won IN
Ibid ye nae see how the guide dog Louth
presented We IA his mistress: He seldom
takes Ia strangers, and ss ye cam over
the brig I said IA myself There's one
wha's heart lo'es bes stie and suld Louth
he kews It weel'!" "Yes, indeed" said
her visitor, "A dog Is nv special delighi
and admiration, and when felt good
Lputh's cold muzzle touch my hsnd,
felt had found one friend In this FAT
country. Your illustrious countrymsu
Walter Scott said thst The Almighty
who gave the dog to he companion nj
ed him with nature noble and incsps-
bic OF deceit. He hath share of mans
Intelligence but no share OF mans false
hood We say In America Love mo,
love my dog but In this instance think
shall reverse II and say Love my dog
love me-" I do love you: dog, and don't
believe It would be very hard task tn
share Il with his mistress" She smiled
at this, and the faintest tinge Of blush
mantled her wrinkled cheek.
The floor OF this interesting apartment
was only lumpy earth. with sacks spread
over II, held In place by mats OF braided
reeds. Ii contained two beds, like
steamer berths fastened to each wall,
with homemade coverings, not OF patch
work, hut evidently the fruit Of the
loom that stood 10 one corner. A very
old dresser Ornsmented another corner
A high-bscked armchair and several
three legged stools constituted the sest-
ing capacity. Two tables one Of which
was packed away beneath the other
stood az ,inst the wall, and In another
corner stood the spinning wheel. Or
one wall WAS plate rack, and on ths
other hung the wsg-st-the-wAll clock
that got its name from having the pendu'
lum exposed and swinging against the
wall:
But notwithstanding these rude sur
roundings. the room had an air Of com.
fort, and best OF all c0ntsRtnseia, and the
face Of its occupant, though giving evil
dence OF degree Of refinement, and
more knowledge Of the world than thess
primitive surroundings might convey
betokened spirit Of benevolence and
good cheer that envied not Its more
fortunate neighbors, and shared its
scanty possessions with friend and
strsngers alike. Oh! how the travel
worn pilgrim longed to lie down on that
snow-white couch, and be "tended" by
those motherly hands, whose touch
though rough and stained with toll
could surely be as gentle and tender al
hand OF ministering angel.
But time IL flying, and when again the
query regarding Wsllsce's Cave was put
forth, II seemed toYtouch an answering
chord in her heart, and she launched
forth in his praises, calling him affec-
/ ~ - ka- S,N bal 10
and telling OF how Ia this very cave ht
severed those long curling tresses with
one stroke OF his sword, because she
whom he loved could no more twint
them about her ivory fingers-snd OF
how his name and the name OF Bruce
had been the first words she learned tc
utter, and many more such tales OF theil
prowess that one would think she had
known these illustrious warriors person
ally-indeed, that they were her owr
sons.
And when she was told that those
very names were among the first that
her visitor could remember, from hear
ing their praises sung In songs, OF the
dear old Scottish Border, by father and
mother in the long ago, and that away
of in the land beyond the sea was
brother who was named for her gloriou:
hero, william Wallace, her old lips quiv'
cred and her voice faltered as she asked
"Aud is he q warrior too, sweet lassieT r
"Nay, nay, dear auntie, but poet-and
you know what they say about the psr
and the sword" "An' can We no. say
some Of his verses to mey' she eagerly
asked. Her visitor then took from hel
pocketbook worn manuscript and read
aloud a poem called
| THE SONG IN THE NIGHT.
Once In the night heard Wild bird singing.
Its sweet notes floating down the wooded gler
Woke me from slumber, and Its Joyous ringing
Seemed odd and strange, 80 far from haunt'
Of men.
raised nv head above my scented pillow,
Scented with cedar boughs and hackmetack,
And nstened-nled with glad surprise anc
I, flowed a. though he could not keep 1t back
The sky was overcast-she lowland valley
Was wrapped In mist that hid IL IKE sea;
The treees wept rain. that on my tent fell softly
As though 90 careful not 70 waken me-
And still the song came pouring through thu
Wild. free. exultant, ike q soul unclaimed.
almost shrank and shuddered At It's boldness,
While yet the thrill Of rapture was maintained
Light. peace and joy are promised In th'
morning,
Though for the night our weeping may endure
Dav follows night. and at the golden dawning
We shout and sing to 6nd His promise sure.
So We, In darkest hours of pain and sadness.
MAY sing aloud for Joy that Il TO be.
And wake the chilly night with songs Of gladnes
That We, when comes the morning, shall b
freei