The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-01-20


worked beast groaned. AS he turned
,im in the little woods pasture to rus
tie" scant supper in the brush he
gave him few gentle pats in lieu Of
some more substantial expression Of
good will. The donkey burst into a
tired bray. whose mournful cadence
struck dire foreboding into Longs al
ready troubled bosom.
The cows were waiting at the bars,
and the children not having returned
from the fields where they had gone to
chop" cotton, he thought to steal in
after the milk vessels and not disturb
his wife. But that individuals ear was
alert. and. as she caught the sound Of
his football. the groans and muttered
suffering to which she gave vent was
alarming.
Long stopped. listened. hesitated,
then stepped into the doorway.
"Lu, am afraid you have had an
other bad evening"" and there was ten
derness in his voice. as there some
thing | can do for you before 20 to
the cows?"
"Oh, me, I'll burn up! 1t seems I'd
give my soul for n cool drink This
dry Ridge will rrn me distracted. I
am scorched with fever, but the
thought of that nasty pool water turns
my stomach. don't see why you
squa'ted on the old Ridge. anyhow.
I'd give the whole thing-cabn and all
fer well Of good water. II you'll
take me where can get all the water [
can drink, I'll take in washin' an board
you an the children; an you can go on
spendin' all you make fer tobacco. Oh,
! know I'll burn up-what on top side of
earth can be keepin' them kids? Pears
like they know when I'm taken worse
an stay jest TO worry me. Henry. do
hurry and get the work done"
Nov. Lu. don't you let it fret YOU"
said Long, eoncliaMngly. as If he felt
lguil,y. and must say something to ap-
reasc n just wrath: well do the best
we can. You'll soon feel better, now
that il is growing cool. I'll have one
of the boys go down 70 Stuarts after
some water when they come. Yes, an
IL you are able, We'll go over to preach
ing Sunday. an spend the afternoon
with Sullivan; he lias the best water in
The valley. you remember"
He did not wait for the chaing reply,
but hastened out in the night to the COW
Ipcn.
The following Sunday was bright
day. and the Longs drove over to the
valley church. II had been noised
abroad that at the conclusion Of the
sermon there would be prayer offered
for rain. and the house could not ac-
gathered. A few came to scoff. some
out Of curiosity. large number anx-
iously hoping that the preachers pray
er would be answered. The subject Of
the discourse was faith. and the preach
ers forcible arguments and apt illustra-
,ions made deep impression on the
congregation. When they kneeled to
pray many fcrvent petition rose from
hopeful hearts.
The day at Sulhvan's was a pleasant
one Longs dread that his wife might
drift on to pool water and tobacco and
spoil the visit for him abated as the
afternoon wore away. and there took its
place feeling that some wonderful
change had come over her. In his
heart he sincerely wished that it might
be lasting, but long experience taught
him TO take little comfort in the hope.
He could attribute the spell to nothing
but the sermon of the morning. This
hrpothesis was natural. for it had
wrought wonderfully upon himself. He
had taken tobacco but once during the
evening. and then when walking
through the fields with Sullivan. There
was strong resolve forming in his
bosom. He had made up his mind TO
give up tobacco. lie was going to ask
the Lord to help him; if he only would
In the cool of the evening the Longs
drove up the c.ayey road that wound
Along the side of the Ridge toward their
home. A bank Of clouds that lay low
in the west turned TO blood and gold as
they reached the summit of the hill. \
hopeful sign. They rode in silence.
Each seemed TO feel that something had
come over the other, and the result
was passing reticence. Neither cared
that the other should know what was
passing in their minds. yet they each
had instinctively guessed it. Louise
Long had determined TO quit her nag
| ging and fretting, and her husband felt
it. 1t would be hard trial and he
would have spared hcr-the sacrifice
should all be his. She had also sus-
| picion of his intentions and watched
him narrowly as they drove along TO
see if he took his accustomed quid II
gave her remorseful little twinge as
she thought of her rowbeating. sharp
words and ingratitude. She was forced
TO admit to herself that he was kind,
self-sacrificing husband and. although
not good manager, had done the best
| he could. She now repented her harsh
ness at his show of reformation.
1t was dark when the wagon ratified
up to the little cabin. An occasional
dash of lightning illuminated the clouds