Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-03-26

pies and what not else of the lavish sup
ply of good things familiar to Pennsyl-
vanian rural feasts, then and now. All
were quickly in their places, and half
dozen bright-eyed girls busted themselves
filling the cups with steaming hot coffee,
which the diners sweetened to their taste
with Jumps of home made maple sugar.
An Old white-haired man raped sharply
with his knife upon the plate before
him, and, in obedience to the signal, con-
versation was instantly hushed, the girls
with the coffee pots stopped mOtionless,
and a moment of perfect silence ensued.
Then the old mans voice, low and thin,
but penetrating in that sudden stiffness,
devoutly uttered the words:
For Thy bounty, of which we are
about TO partake, oh, Lord, make us truly
thankful. Amen"
Then appetite was given the reins, and
all fell to, with a great clatter of table
tools and buzz of talk.
That moments pause and hush had Civ
en- Roger McFarlane time to think. He
saw now all the details of the generous
and kindly conspiracy, and it overwhelm-
ed him with grateful emotion. as he real
lied how long a time these good people
had been planning and continuing for
this most complete issue of benefit to
him. Surely. he thought. it would be the
least he could do to make acknowledge
ment of their generous kindness, and he
stood up. But his heart was already in
his throat with emotion; the unwonted
sight of four-score eyes staring in steady
expectancy embarrassed him, and he
could only stammer:
Ma friends, the like o this is a vera
new and strange to me. and ma heart is
sac full that it's like TO choke me. had
only thocht maself Il lonely wanderin'
earle, but a little acquent in a strange
land; and I've waukened to ken maSelf at
hame, surrounded by brithers. l Gamma
say mair, or ma heart will loup frae ma
lips. I'm jOost-"
And at that point he really did "break
down." his voice failing him and the
tears yelling up in his eyes. as he drop
ned back upon his seat. Very heartily
they applauded him, with many reassur-
ins expressions of kindly appreciation
and personal esteem, in the midst of
which Uncle David Henderson's deep,
bass roar drowned all other voices with
the reply:
Say no more about it, man, unless to
show US you're an orator. Why, there's
not a house or q barn in the township
that was not raised in the same way.
How else would men get along in a new
country If they didn't stand by one an
other? You're not under a straw'S
weight of obligation to us. We are only
doing cur duty. and proud and happy We
are that it is for Il friend and neighbor
like Roger McFarlane."
4 burst Of hearty applause set the seal
OF popular approval upon his words, and
Il dozen Of those nearest to Roger gave
emphasis to that expression by warmly
shaking his hand. When John Cameron,
among the rest, reached across the table
TO do so. the warm-hCarted and grateful
Scot retaining his grasp said:
All, Jock. 1t was a your contrivin'
God grant We a your days as light a
heart rs it is already good"
Away down the table Simeon Mulvel,
speaking very low and taking care not
to draw the attention OF others TO the
! subject Of his conversation. said to Ru-
/ fus Goldie, who sat by his side:
rs it 4 silver spoon you have in your
eup?
1T is"
Look carefully, without attracting no.
/ tice, and tell me, if you can. what initials
/ are on it,
Either r.. W. B. or r.. B. W. /
] can't make out sure which. they are SO
( eurlsy-cued together"
] The same as mine. 7 can't think OF
anybody ever belonging TO the CamerOns
/ OF in RaccoOn Greek Valley with them
/ initials"
/ We'll; what OF it,
1T looks queer. Where do you suppose
/ they came fromg"
Thunder How should know? Bor-
rowed them for the 'frolic,' / suppose;