Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1899-01-26
FIDDLER JOE.
BY CLARENCE HENRY PEARSON.
Re-pubshed by permission Of the Detroit Free Press

save Tue CIlpplcu OhOtO IVY
ing 1t was he, too, who, when Big
John came down with tho small pox IN
Bradtord's Camp, in tho spring OF ~
remained with him and nursed him
through his illness whom every other
man in his crew fed in terror at the
first mention of the pestilential disease.
Where he came from, what his antece-
dents were, no one knew, for be never
told anything of his past life ana ala
not like to be questioned concerning It,
1t was believed b. his friends that he
lad at some time occupied much high
or station in life than his present one,
and there were those who said that
once, when somewhat under the infiu-
ence Of hquor--the only time, so far as
anyone knew, that he had ever yielded
to any extent to the seductive influence
of the flowing bowl-he had cast his
rude form of speech from him as a gar
mont, and conversed for a time in Ian
guage that would have done credit TO
the most cultured gentleman.
An hours walk brought us to Col
burns camp, which was something ov-
or four miles distant. The injured man
was lying on rude couch near the
doorway Of the sleeping camp. ltneed-
ed but glance at his pallid features to
assure me that he was past all human
aid Tne bones of his chest had been
crushed and shattered by the terrible
blow he had received and he breathed
with difficulty. He recognized us as we
entered and ieebly stretched forth his
! hand TO welcome US.
Shell pray with you, JOeP" asked
the parson.
'Yes, parson," answered Fiddler Joe,
"but make it short, cause thar sin't
much timo."
Parson Griggs Inelt beside the dying
man and sent up petition for soul 30
soon to be launched upon the boundless
ocean Of eternity. When he arose the
men in the room and about the door
wore standing with uncovered heads,
and the tear Of sympathy CLEANED on
many cheek for years unused to such
a visitor.
How do you feel about the futur',
Joe?" asked the parson. rs all well
with yer?"
81 guess it's all right friend, >" replied
Joe, feebly. at kinder seems to me
thet I've done more good than harm in
tho world, an l reckon the balance III
be on the right side. Ef / amt square
now thar Amt no time for me to square
myself" He paused for moment to
rest and thon continued, "Thar's two or
three things I want to talk about As
I was tollin' the boys, don't want no
fuss made, no church funeral, no grave
stuus. Jest plant me out hero in the
woods somewhar--at the foot OF some
big pine. | hain't no kin as would keer
for me, dead or aliVe-an' allus sleep
better in the woods, anyhow"
He paused again, faint and weak from
his effort to talk. Big John held a
small flask of spirits to his lips and he
revived.
Il want ye to say = little suthin' at
the planting parson, he said presently;
II don't want no sugar coatin' nor moth.
in o thet sort, but you kin jest say, an
say it truthful, too, thet l never wen
1 h.,lr an FrtaDd not o,oo MT. -
I'm here, boys-here in the pine woods
-dyin' away from my kin--jest becaus,
Il stood by-a friend--when he" ant
bis voice sank to an indistinguishabl,
) whisper.
"Whar are your relations, JoeP" ask
= ed the parson in husky tones, as h,
bent over the sufferer-"aiu't thar n,
one ye want US to write toP"
No" gasped JOo 'I'ye boen- dOad t.
them--twenty years"
b A spasm Of pain crossed his face, hi
! head sank back and death forever seal
: ed the mystery Of his life.
r We buried him as he had requested
z deep in the forest 1T the foot Of a
o enormous pine. Over the open gray
Parson Griggs paid a homely but touch
5 ing tribute to the virtues OF his dea
o friend, and then knelt in prayer besid
$ the rude cofin.
}, 20, Lord" be said, I'VE commend
" Thy mercy the sperit that went out We
Q serday through the gate Of death int
l. the unknown land that lays beyon,
IS Thou knowest that our friend was n,
r considered as bein' prayin' man, b,
n we who knew him best feel sure thi
Il bis heart prayed when his lips made n
II sound be made no psrlession, but y
o believe that Thou wilst Judge him /
DE- the testimony OF his acts rather ths
is that OF his mouth. Like him thev or
oi cihed he died 70 save others. Lii
Il Him, too, be went through life dol
.p good. His ear was never deaf 70 4
ID voice Of trouble. Heclothsd the make
rs FED the hungry an visited she sick. \
% night was Sc dark. no storm So 6sre
ls no road So rough, as 10 keep him fro