The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-19

when heavy timber still covered what IS
now the rich. rolling farmland Of Lower
Michigan, William Birds=ll had gone
forth from the cincumscribed acres of the
homestead in Vermont to win a place for
himself ia the world. with only young
wife and his own grit TO aid him. Then
Michigan was not the farmers Eldorado
il afterwards came to be. But the house
In which he sin lived was built, and then
Joel the next younger by three years,
was sent for 10 share the increasing for
tunes-incidentally TO lead a helping hand
in the running of the farm
And Joel-he was a shining example of
New England stagnation. Never inclined
to marry, always content with a Kind of
helpless dependence upon his brother and
sister, whose home had not been bright
ened by the advent of children. he grew
more and more to be the object of pa
rental solicitude to the farmer and his
wife as the years passed by He was
satisfied with his unique position, and
gradually the horizon of his life came to
be bounded by the views and wishes of
MS foster parents.
Mrs. BirdseH was the first to break the
oppressive silence. William" she said,
there's no use putin it off any longer
Suppose we call Joel down now-this very
night-an point out to him like-tell him
that Is 10 say ask him" She hesitated.
The task seemed greater when framed In
words.
"Sh" The exclamation escaped the
pair at the same instant.
In the chamber above the song began
again This time the words were loud
and distinct, although the tune was still
doubtful Silently the couple followed
the lines:
1 dreamt that 1 dwelt in marble halls
Not a word was uttered until the verse
ended. Mrs. Birdsell was busy making a
mental analysis of the meaning of the
words-their import seemed beyond a
doubt
"Its a real gamblin' house tune" she
pronounced. with assurance born of con-
viction, although there was a trembling
in her voice. I've heard all about the
Internal places. All marble an glass an
electric lights an polished woodwork"
The squeaking, heavy footsteps grew
louder. The culprit was certainly coming
down the stars, Next the door opened
and he walked into the dining room. Mrs
Birdsell looked straight in front of her
The deacon hastily snatched the Agricul-
turist from the table.
Joel appeared surprised to find the rest
of the family keeping late hours. Still
settln' up?' he asked, innocenuy enough,
but in the ears of the others the words
had a guilty ring.
From the corner of her eyes Mrs Bird
sell was taking a quiet inventory of the
discriminating evidence. There was the
red necktie encircling the stand-up collar
that sagged out in tired fashion at the
front. The longtailed coat was also con-
spicuous. She wished she had had the
forethought to put on her spectacles, for
she knew that proper scrutiny would de-
tect faint creases in front of the bagging
gray pants. AS for the shoes-the noise
on the stairs had already told its own
story.
'Wen, l guess III walk out for a, little
Bit he went on, taking no notice of the
unusual restraint. The sky's as clear as
a bell, an it seems just shameful to stay
in. Won't have many more nights like
this"
IT'S time honest folks was abed an
asleep" The deacon's voice grated
harshly although he tried his best 10 be
natural
That's just one of your notions, Will
liam" Joel answered with a faint laugh
come now, nights just as good as day,
amt it? Don't fret about me. Just leave
the key to the dining room door under the
stone by the steps an I'll get in all right"
There was no reply
AN that reminds me- the culprit went
to take that key along with me an have
one made like it. No use talkin', a man
ought to have latch key"
This last worldly within, more significant
than anything else-worse even than the
reckless get up of the costume-fell with
astounding weight on the farmer and his
wife. Ii was nothing less than the limit
of moral depravity In the suddenness of
the shock there was no chance for reply.
h.aGf OF tod 49,.
his hat and went out.
The deacon and his wife remained seat
ed, rigid with CONSERVATION, until they
heard him step off the porch. Then with
one accord they arose and tiptoed to the
parlor window Peering out into the dark
ness, they watched him walk through the
yard to the gate and then turn his steps
In the direction of the tavern, the lights
of which twinkled dimly half mile away
down the left fork of the road.
THE times come, Martha" the dea-
con burst out. Joel will hear from me
the first thing tomorrow mornin'! He's
got to shut off his scand lous, drunken
ways instanter, or by the Lord! he'll never
stay another day under my roofp'
Mrs. Birdsel was fairly struck dumb
before her husbands awful denunciation
IL was the first time in her married life
that he had so ruthessly broken the third
commandment, ana Sie ldI0 nerSel1 down
to broken sleep and troubled dreams.
The first CLEAN of the rising sun was
already painting gold and purple hues in
the eastern sky when the deacon slowly
reused 10 the troubles of new day.
Quickly throwing on his working clothes,
he fastened to the foot of the stairs.
'Joeln' he called 10 the upper chamber
Joel, be stirrinl The suns more'n an
hour high! We've oversight scand' lous %
No answer came from above
"Joelr' This time there was an angry
ring in the word.
And still no answer.
The deacon did not call again, but start
ed brskly for the stables, his heavy boot
heels making dark half-circles in the light
frost that covered the ground. He was
surprised again to find the heavy doors
thrown wide open to the morning
breezes. Sounds were issuing from with
in, and as he paused, he heard his broth
er JoeIs voice lifted in song, the rhythm
punctuated by the steady 'swish' OF
milk against the bottom and sides of the
tin milk can,
The absolute unexneCtedneSS of the sit