The Newtown bee., 1899-11-10

''ne can tell you better than II don't
know"
So to the dominic Tony went. The
study door was closed, but pleasant
voice babe him enter and he set it wide
gladly. The unpretentious room was
like some simple shrine which many had
sought burdened with griefs and doubts,
going thence comforted In great measure !;
the perplexities Of life always assumed
lesser proportions in its peaceful atmos-
phere than elsewhere. But no deeper
bitterness of heart than little Tony
Dana's had ever gone there for relief.
The child hesitated after closing the
door behind him, though the kindliest
face in the world was turned his way
and the friendliest hand extended in well
come. 1t was only step to where the
parson sat, but for long minute the
boy waited. Between him and that chair
where comprehension stayed for his
grief stood Major, the parsons dog-a
little, useless fox TERROR who had never
saved a PERSONS life, who had never
done anything great or poble. just an
old, rheumatic, half-blind dog-and yet
he was alive! The boys breast swelled
with resentment; he could not pass him.
The dog advanced closer, making friend
~ overtures, and the master sat watch
ing the scene with eyes which all Broad
meadows thought were failing though
they cav deep into child nature, and see-
ing understood.
"Major," he called softly, 81 want
you"
The next moment the boy stopped and
patted the small head with a trembling
hand. Parson Medlicott removed his
glasses. "Well, little man?"
The voice was q cartss, the touch of
the encircling arm was tenderness Itself i;
under it's embrace the tenseness IN the
child's breast was loosepad, he breathed
more freely. He crept 81 Sc to the old
mans side and leaned against his shout
der.
'tIt's-it's about Don, sir. Sarah says
he's of the beasts that perish, and Thorn
as thinks there's no doubt about it. But
it can't be. He saved me from drowning,
sir he laid down his life for another's
sake, you know. [ should think that
ought to count for something"
"SurelY-surely."
81 don't want to go to Heaven il DON
isn't there. It would be lonesome it he
wasn't at the gate to meet me-you
know how-and glad to see me no end.
[ should think there'd be plenty of + pom
up there, and he never was an interferin'
dog. Gran'ma says It's scand lJus to talk
this way and mothers sorry about Don,
only she agrees with gran'ma, and-and
-gran'pa is sorrier than all the others
put together, but he doesn't know-he
said you'd tell me-"
The child's voice broke with the stress
of his inquiry he turned his eager eyes
upon the parsOn, who seemed lost in
Thought. 1t was very still. From some
where in the house a clock struck four,
slowly and distinctly, and in the jom
itself one of the logs Ia the fireplace
dropped asunder and shower OF glitter
log sparks sputtered out ON the hearth.
The Major gave little zap Of disgust
and reiterated to safer distance.
,''He said you'd tell me-" the boy cried
shrilly, letting h hands f1y out in sud-
den wild despe ration.
$50 will, Tony, so I will This is a
sad time for you, little man, for you've
lost dear friend-we understand, you
and /, how dear dog friend can be
and, moreover, Don gave his life for
yours, as you say-he was faithful unto
death! And now questions that have
puzzled older and wiser heads are troub-
ling you. You want to know about Don's
future. Well, l believe that all that
measure of love, and faitbfulness, and
trust cannot be lost. IL the earth was
wide enough to hold it, Heaven will not
crowd 1t out, else missing it, it would
not be Heavea." 1873
The child drew deep breath and laid
his tear stained cheek against the time
furrowed one.
"Gran'pa said you could TELL" he wins
pered.
SIN just what likeness I caDnot say"
the man went on, stbut one thing is sure,
the memory of Don will abide as tangi-
Bile as the presence, aod--very likely,
the presence-who knows, who knows |?
Sod ia more loving than any words of
ours can frame, little lad. 1t doesn't do
&c doubt Him."
In that day TONY Dana found peace,
and when he left the study some time
later it was with vastlv lighter heart.
He moved along cor fidently and even
passed with steady step through the
home gate where no dog an to meet him,
though great lump rushed choking ly
into his throat. He went directly to the
library and unburdened bis content to
the Judge, sitting there In sore perplexi-
ty: after that he sought his mother and
In the drawing room,
where, in his STANDARDIZATION to |
the visitors present-he poured forth a |
happy tumble of incoherent sentences |
wherein the only things clear were the |
fact of Don's eternal salvation and the |
boys declaration that he was going to /
try to be just as faithful and noble az /
Don--so Parson Medlicott had said. |
rhoee soft, childish lips that had pressed |
| kiss Of gratitude upon the wrinklad
,heek were unwittingly the ones TO con-
riot the old man In the eyes OF Broad. I
meadows.
The next evening Squire Poindexter,
Ok Aldham and little Mr L0ring waited
lpon the parson; Judge Dana, whose
Ioice was Of considerable authority In
0cal matteTss absolutely refusinglt0 make
ne Of the party. Thsy found hiEn Ia his