Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-06-04
CHAPTER xxII.-CContinuedJ

three cOnvergent roads came dusty eques-
trians and crowded carry-alls, dearbOrns,
wagons and buggies almost in process
sional form, until the available space I'M
der the grove and in the forest belt flank
ing it was filed, and saddle horses were
hitched all along two sides Of the grave
yard fence beyond. Stalwart men, plump,
smiling matrons, irrepressible boys and
pretty girls, roseate with health and
sparkling with gentle excitement, throng-
ed the scene; kindly greetings, CHEEKY sal
utations, the jingle of harness and the
neighing Of horses stirred the lazy echoes;
the air was full of the fresh smell of
trampled grass and the perfume of apple
blossoms and punches Of heliotrope car
ried by the girls.
Mrs. Cameron and Mary Elder came in
a buggy, with John and Uncle David rid
ins on horseback alongside. Some dark
looks were directed toward the young
man by the most ill-cOnditiOned of the
Mulveil faction, but among the sensible
majority the old feud was becoming I'M
popular, and whatever feeling against
him existed was personal, on Constable
Simeon's account, because of the mis-
conception of fact truthfully reported to
MIN ny Uncle DdNlu. GdCH oNVN ms
face he met. however was offset by a
score glowing with smiles of unfeigned
pleasure at his return, and so many
hands clasped his in hearty welcome that
though his eyes and Hetty's met, he could
not manage to get near her before the
bell rang summoning all to divine ser
vice.
The Rev. Mr.. McLeOd's morning ser
mon-rather shorter than usual and APP
propriate to the occasiOn-was followed
by the simple but impressive ceremonial
in commemOration Of the Last Supper.
Before the pulpit stood a long, narrow
table, draped with a snowy linen cloth,
upon which rested a great chalice and
broad plate, both of solid silver and an
tiqCe form, each covered by white nap
kin. Plain benches extended along the
sides Of the table.
While the whole assemblage joined in
singing the Twenty-fourth Psalm, mem
beers of the congregation arose from their
places in the pews and went forward to
the table unit the benches were filled.
After a short prayer in conservation of
the elements, the minister uncovered the
eucharistic vessels and, himself first par
taking of the bread piled upon the plate
and touching his lips TO the wine in the
cup, passed them successfully to the dea-
cons, who carried them along the lines
of the commandments, presenting them in
turn TO each.
By tacit understanding and established
custom, the older members of the congre-
cation occupied seats at the first table
Side by side among them, at this time,
sat Mrs. Cameron and Mrs. Mulveil.
Their hands touched in taking the conse-
Grated bread; their eyes met, and they
smiled kindly upon each other; for with
the suddenness of the lightning's flash
the solemn rite thrilled in their hearts a
common chord. How many years they
had sat together at the Lords table, side
by side with the dear ones long since
gone to the farther shore! How few
times more, at most, might they hope to
meet here ere they too would be sum-
moned to cross the dark river. Were they
not sisters in atflictiOn-siSterS in love and
Christian hope?
Though there were many present who
had not yet formally united themselves
to the congregation by profession of faith,
and who consequently did not partake of
the communion, enough members present
and third time.
While the second table was being fill
ed. latecomer, Il large, heavy man,
roughly clad and wearing n great beard,
entered the church. He came in at the
backs OF the congregation, while all were
intent upon the ceremony in front, sank
quietly into seat by the door and alto
gether escaped observation. Near the
end of the services he glided out and
disappeared.
According to immemOrial custom, there
were two long services in the observance
of communion Sabbath. The first was
devoted to the commemorative rite. al
ready outlined, but the second had no
distinctive or peculiar features. being
merely according to the routine followed
upon other Sundays. except that perhaps
the sermon was Il little longer than us
ual. Between the two there was neces-
sarily recess" of from one to two
hours, for rest and refreShmcnt. Dur
ing that time, the vicinity of the church
presented the unique spectacle of a pious
picnic. Each family brought along an
ample store Of substantial cold pr0vis-
ions and tOothSOme delicacies, which
were appctiziugly offered upon table
cloths spread on the grass, or, less osten-
tatiouSly but perhaps rs satisfactorily.
devourcd by hIndfulS from baskets in
the wagons and around the spring There
was always more than enough for all
and persons who came on horseback
and consequently without any commits
sary department Of their own-were wei
come anywhere and everywhere 1t was
observable that the families having the
prectiCSt girls were most called upon for
hospitality by the eQueStrianS. who were
generally young men and bachelors.
When the morning service ended. IN
Gle David Henderson had some difficulty
In keeping John Cameron at his side IN
til the Rev. Mr.. Mcleod came to them.
and, after 4 cordial greeting. led the way
Into the graveyard as the most convenient
place for an uninterrupted private con
veySayiou. There laying his hand upon
the young mans shoulder, the minister
said:
Il told Uncle David. the day before
yesterday, that l wanted you brought
home ut once. But l did not tell him
why. The pleasure Of that / reserved
for myself. In the first place. want To
mention To you that l have recovered
my watch"
Your watch"
Yes. The one yoc found on the Dew
lis Backbone was mine. And the spoons
that were with it have been restored to
their owner, my old friend. Mrs Billings.
who lives over on the CanonSburg turn
pike. This restitution was made by 4 re-
pcntant thief, a poor fellow who, in dire
distress. succumbed to temptation. but
who is, think. at heart an honest man.
He wished. before dying. to prevent the
possibility Of unjust suspicion putting .
stain upon the good name Of one who has
been, he says. kinder 70 him than any
other man ever was Do you know whom
! mean. John?"
Il think l DO, sir. Il was Billy the
barker, was il not?"
Yes, that Is what he was called When
You met him. first knew him, however
VIXEN he was an unhappy, starving col
porteur. as William simmons, and that
he assures me, is his real name"
Where is he nowT'