Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-06-14
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: The Power Of a Song :
K By Samuel Emery. J;
BY Samuel Emery.


And it's Oh in my heart, that mad him
safe at home"
NVER and over again the childish
~ treble rose. Outside the fierce
June sun cast a glare over field and
wood, over yine-shaded house and
dusty road. The first hot term of the
summer had come, with drought, OPP
preston and discomfort in its track.
At every window the blinds We're
closed, but here and there a flaming
shaft of light penetrated to the dusk
and quiet within. 1t was as if the
weather had entered into fell con-
spiracy against all the living world,
but chiefly against the life OF the
crops and the tempers of men.
'But it's Oh. in my heart, that 1 had him
safe at home
Mabel said weary voice, with
a hint OF irritation in it, chow much
longer before you'll have him safe
at home??'"
ooh, Uncle George" said the little
girl, turning to long figure on the
sofa, almost invisible in the gloom,
81 didn't know you were there. Does
your head ache? l was just prac-
ticng for the school entertainment"
Come and tell me all about it.
won't you, little one" making room
for the slght figure on the sofa.
"Well, you see" began the little
girl, as she nestled into his arms,
school closes on Friday, and in the
evening we're going to have an en-
tertainment, with songs and pieces
and be-yu.i-ful flowers, and, OH lots
of nice things
"Anybody l know going to do any
thing"
Why, Uncle George" said the little
maid eproachfully, I'm going to
sing. Didn't L tell you L was prac-
ticing?'
"Oh, yes, so you did. I remember
now. And what are you going to
sing?"
Now. believe you're teasing. I'm
going to sing The Blue Bells of Scot
land of course"
Dear, dear what an honor. and
you're sue sou won't be fright
encd?"
"Why, Uncle George, of course not,
with firm conviction.
what Shall you do if they all clap
and stamp. and perhaps shout and try
to brighten a little nine year-oid maid
! know?"
'Why, l shonld keep right on" with
decision.
A hot night, with all that is con-
tanned in the words; a night with no
cooling westerly breeze; with shrub
berry and grass parched and brown: a
night when the dust raised by pass
ing teams tiles lazily With no wind
to blow it about: a night with no
gathering thunder caps to herald
welcome shower; a night when men
see with apprehension the dwndliny
of the water supply. and talk of for
est fires. and shudder at the mem
ton; a night when the Changing of
the fire engines brings startled sleep
ers to heir feet with alright: IL night
when clothes are a burden and move
ment an a5hurrent thing
The assembly room on the second
floor OF the ancient wooden school
house was filled with fret full, per-
spring audience. whose temper was
short. and whose patience was short
er; whose politeness was scant and
sympathy scanter: one hated the
sight of his uncomfortable ncighbor
and loathed to touch him.
In front sat the rows on rows of
little girls who were If anything more
deserving of pity than their audience.
They We're prim to Il degree. each
with a starched dress. anu Il braided
pg-tail. Their hands were claspel
in their laps, and they looked with
scared eyes at the people. In he
midst of them. also with starcned
dress. braided pig-tail, and claspel
hands. but sharing in no degree the
apprehension Of the others. calm with
great resolve. sat Mabel Uncle
George could but smile with pride at
so dauntless bearing, and felt it
some compensation for being dragged
out this sitting night by the ilness
of the little ones mother He looked
about him, taking in the rows of nm
happy mortals on either side; the
prim little girls in front: the limp
and faded flags hung in restless pro-
fusion. with Il sublime disregard of
the gas jets. His face grew grave.
AS long as there's no wind an inch's
as good as a mile he said, half
aloud.
81 beg your pardon. did you speak
to me::' said Il voice beside him. lie.
turned and beheld a very stout gem
tleman. with a wisp of rag for a
collar, his face an unknown shade of
purple. surmounted by mop of car.
roty red hair.
"let, warm night. isn't il -
II stout gentleman looked at him
indignantly. Il hadn't noticed" said
he testify. 81 was looking to see that
that t;sdn'S get in a draft" and he
mopped his face savagel>.
81 was noting the very careless way
that flag was hung" said Uncle
George. indicating it. II, wouldn't
take but a breath Of air to set it i'm
IL blaze. and Il fire would be bad. |
have a little girl up there hat mustn't