Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-01-30
AROUND THE
s SPRING
BY F. H. LANCASTER.
e~4fF4F~+++F~F**4~4**+t4@
Copyright 1901, BY Authors syndieAtel

road, a plain frame building, uupaint-
ed save by the weather that had
colored 81 to a soft-toued gray. The
dark shadows Of the pines fell upon it
and their needles dropped dreamily
about it. All the week il stood there,
this little Methodist church, locked in
the unutterable repose of its forest
home.
But when Sunday came all was
/ changed. The woods became alive with
horses picketed to trees and stumps;
wagons, jumpers and saddles declared
the different modes of travel, and a
/ congrega tiou of 4O-on pleasant days
even of SO souls, counting the cry
/ ing babies, thronged mp the straw
strewn steps and took seat with all
! due solemnity upon the solid wooden
/ benches No cushioned pew nor velvet
carpet; no stained glass or pictured
saint; no incense save the breath of
the sweet-scented pines that fingered
always among the rafters. But i'm the
pulpit an earnest, highly-cultured
man, and behind him a choir of ten
male voices, carefully trained, that
sang for the love Of il and not for pay.
There was a touch Of full-throated
energy about this singing that be-
trayed a hint of pride that might be
sinful. but was certainly natural since
each singer had a listening sweetheart
in the congregation,
Baldwin looked about him with
reckless disregard for the approval OF
the pious Worshipers. This was a
rather new experience, and while the
singing lasted he felt a passing pleas
ure III The novelty. But before the
preacher had read his text, he old
sullen mood returned with its bored
yawn and the eloquent, earnest words
fell unheeded upon his ears.
Baldwin had made a couple Of mis-
takes and was paying the penalty.
Like most men in the first flush Of life,
he rebeled against the payment He
had fallen in love with the wrong girl,
or thought he had, which was bad;
then he had come to the woods 10 for
get, which was worse. In spite of the
dreamy duskiness Of the pine tops
there is no lethe to he quaffed in their
shadows-no forgetfulness! Straight
stemmed and insistent they stand
straight out, meeting every issue
squarely People who live among the
pines rise with the dawn and labor un-
til the evening.
And Baldwin was beginning To un-
derstaud; he must fight the thing TO a
finish and trust to what manhood
there was in him to see him through.
He sat upright, holding his hat
upon his knees and staring straight
ahead A young girl across the aisle
noticed him-and his clothes. Not.
that his clothing was finer or better
made than that of the surrounding
beauX. II was the way it sat upon
him, and his unconsciousness of it,
that told the tale Of culture that only
cultured eyes may read.
When the congregation filed out
for the noon recess and gathered in
groups under the trees the girl found
herself standing near the stranger
who had attracted her attention.;
and when he raised his hat and spoke
about the weather in painstaking inn
itatiou of the other men. She let a
friendly little laugh creep into her
eyes.
Teacher has got a beau" whis-
pered a group Of passing girls. They
nudged each other and giggled aud
IDLY as their eyes took in each de-
tail Of the slender figure in the
creased linen suit and rather shabby
tan shoes.
Law" they laughed, his necltie
looks a year old"
Even as we criticise We are our
selves passing the fire Of another's in
! telligence. While they Knocked his at
tire, Baldwin was saying In tones Of
unconscious superiority:
"What is the attraction down
there2"
The teacher followed his glance.
4 a spring" She explained, drily
Are you thirsty?" he asked
I quickly.
moi" Her tone expressed indigna-
tlou.
Il beg your pardon. I uuders TODD
7 YOU to say that the path led to a
spring"
$50 I did. but"
"Nes?" he encouraged.
Don't you see they are paired of
before they get halfway down the
hill?" She flushed a little over the
. explanation and he let his ewes drift
lazily toward the slow-movine
couples.
Does this thing go on Sunday
after sunday" he asked. presently.
oh, yes. Most Of the matches in