Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-12-19
~ - = y . : ~ . :" .
One New Year. Eye.
BY FRANCIS A. DURIyAdR.
.p,x.pS@pxeesaex, ~ ~V~~eS&E

a O, you're not afraid Of being left
" alone in tha church, said Deacon
- ddstock.
"Ag. ,idt nor answered Luke Bridge
IL. boldly; what should be afraid eff
"Many man is afraid of his own evil
conscience" said the deacon. Luke
Bridgely made no answer.
This conversation passed in the vestry
of a small city church. The room had
been lately plastered and as it was cold
winter weather that 31st Of December,
large fire had been kindlcd to dry the
walls against the coming Sunday. Luke
Bridgely had been once q thriving me-
chanic Like many a man whose con-
viviality has been his ruin. there were
many gt,d traits in his character: he was
kind-heartee, generous, charitable, but
guided by impulse rather than principle.
The deacon had known him in better
days, and when that afternoon Luke,
haggard, weary and wan, had asked him
for a job, he had venSured, for the sake
OF the applicants wife and children, to
engage him to watch the fires. Luke had
not entered church 70; years. and it
was with a certain awe that he had cross
ed the threshold.
"And y,u will not take the pledge,
LukeP" said the deacon, as he fingered
near the door.
mot bit of it, answered Luke, with
an uneasy laugh. II should only break
It, as | have done so many promises to
poor Martha"
Well rejoined the deacon. with
sigh. "at least you will ple>ige me your
word not TO drink drop to-night?"
THAT | will, deacon; my word Of honor
and | give you full permission to turn
the key on me-"
Luke babe him good night and threw
himself In an armches, before the red
hot stove Tie light glowed ruddiIy on
the walls liz up the pine trees and fes-
tbons that were bound about the pillars,
touched the trembling drops OF the chan
delier. cleaned en- the dial of the clock
In the gallery, and FURNISHED with gold
the pipes of the great organ. Against the
windows the wind dashed and the arrow
flights Of sleet fell harmlessy, though
with a dreary sound.
Luke was composing himself to sleep
when the sound of voices singing with
out reused him. He recognized as Inc
music drew nearer, the singers, the air
and the words The latter were as fol-
lows:
Here's health to the poor old year.
Here's health to his bright young
heir!
At the grave, at the cradle, tbs ours
to share
For sorrow and joy alike good cheer.
Hip, hip. hurrah!
Hip, hip, huFrah.
A health to the old and the brand new
year"
The music ceased directly under the
windows Of the vestry. "Ah, jolly Jack
Finchley!" said Luke to himself; Il
should know that bass among d thou
sand! And Billy Martin, tool no tenor
voice like his. Confound the deacon for
newing me up here, when my jolly GRO
mics are seeing the old year out and the
new year in
A sound ut the window attracted his
attention. and a rubicund yisage peered
in on him, like the full moon from the
face Of an old-fasbioued clock.
''Hullo! old fell" said the full moon.
'Yop on ght TO he hamstrung for desert
ing US or a night like this. We want you
to sing Hang Deacon Bradstoek just
you get up in a chair, and Wen snake
you out OF this gospel shop in the twink
ling of an eye
81 can't do it, l have given my word
TO remain here" said Luke. firmly.
You won't join u.s.
"No-zI tell you l can't"
Then stay and be hanged TO YOU said
the full moon. as il set in an angry cloud
Luke was left to himself. After a
while he fell asleep. lie dreamed that
he was in strange country-strange but
beautiful, The sky was deep blue I'M
checkcred by a cloud. All at once there
came gliding towards the dreamer. from
a cluster of magnolaS. an old man, with
two fairy children As they drew nearer
he recognized with awe the features Of
his father and Of the two young children,
his own. whose ashes 10y in the old
churchyard. They saw him-they turned
their glorious faces towards him. Then
In an agony Of affection the poor man
was r,,shirc forward to clasp them in his
arms. but he ..au no power over his
limbs; his feet seemed roote' And at
the same moment voice sound VI in his
ear, Luke Bridsely, art thou worthy TO
join those blessed ones?'
Worthy or not, | make the effort,
said the unhappy man
TO strive is to succeedH' answered
the voice With this Luke Bridgely
awoke
You are sound sleeper, Luke" said
Deacon Brad>yock, standing by the arm
chair.
Where am r." asked Luke. gazing
wildly round him. 20 ! remember"
You can 80 home now" said the dea
con. I'm take my turn. And look here
Luke, as I prevented you from doing
your marketing. | thought il to be but
fair to be your caterer for 10 morrow's
dinner You'll find everything needful
for good set down in this basket"
Deacon Bradstock," said Luke, tax
ing his hand, YOU are a good and gener-
Gus friend to me. How shall l ever re-
pay you2''
There is one thing that would repay
me amply" said the deacon; but that
you'll never do. I'm afraid"