The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1902-06-19

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In the beauty Of the night. The moon
rode high over the peaks of the noun
tains, flooding the narrow valley with
mellow light. Under her magic the
rugged peaks softened their harsh lines
and seemed 10 lean lovingly toward us.
The dark pine masses stood silent, as
In breathless alteration. The dazzling
snow lay like garment over all the
open spaces in soft, waving folds and
crowded every stump with quantity
,hapcd nightcap. Above the camps the
smoke curled up from the campfires,
standing like pillars OF cloud that kept
watch while men slept, and high over
I'll the deep blue night sky, with its
star jewels, sprang like the roof of
great cathedral from range 10 range,
covering US in its kindly shelter. How
homclike and safe seemed the valley,
with its mountain sides. its sentinel
trees and arching roof OF jeweled sky!
Even the night seemed kindly, and
friendly the stars. and the lone cry Of
the wolf from the deep forest seemed
like the voice of comradc.
How beautiful Too beautifulw said
Gracmc, stretching out his arms. "a
night like this takes the heart out OF
me-"
I stood silent, drinking in at every
sense the night, with its wealth Of
| lovelincss.
What is it / want?" he went on.
"Why does the night make my heart
ache? There are things to see and
things to hear just beyond me. l can
not get TO them"
The gay, careless look was gone from
his face. His dark eyes were wistful
with ycarning.
81 often wonder II life has nothing
better for me-" he continued with his
hcartachc voice.
said no word, but put my arm with
in his. a light appeared in the stable.
Glad Of n diversion, l said:
What Is the light? Let us go and
see"
SANDY, taking last look at his
team, like enough"
We walked slowly toward the stable,
speaking no word. AS we neared the
door we heard the sound OF voice in
the monotone Of one reading. ! stepped
forward and looked through chink be-
tween the logs. Graeme was about to
open the door, but l held up my hand
and beckoned him to me. In vacant
STALL where was pile Of straw,
number Of men were grouped. Sandy,
leaning against the tying post, upon
which the stable lantern hung, was
reading; Nelson was kneeling in front
of him and gazing into the gloom be-
yond; Baptiste lay upon his stomach.
his chin in his hands and his upturned
eyes fastened upon Sandy's face:
Lachlan Campbell sat with his hands
clasped about his knees, and two other
| men sat near him. Sandy was reading
the undying story Of the prodigal, Mel
son now and then stopping him to
make a remark. II was a scene I have
never been able to forget Today I
pause in my tale and see It a. clearly
as when looked through the chink
upon It years ago-the long. low stable.
with log walls and upright hitching
poles; the dim outlines Of the horses In
the gloom OK the background and the
little group Of rough, almost savage
looking, men. with faces wondering
and reverent, lighted by the misty light
OF the stable lantern.
After the reading Sandy handed tho
book to Nelson, who put it in his pock.
et saying:
That's for us, boys. amt itl'
"Aye," said Lachan. ut is often
that has been read in my hearing, but
| am afraid it will not be for me what
ever" And he swayed himself slightly
rs he spoke, and his voice was full Of
pain.
THE minister said ! might come"
said old Nelson earnestly and hope
! fully.
"Ayc, but you are not Lachlan Camp,
bell, and you have not had his privi,
cgcs. My father was a godly elder in
the Free Church of Scotland and nev,
er a night or morning but we took the
books"
"Ycs, but lie said amy man." per
sisted Nelson, putting his hand on
Lachan's knee, but Lachlan shook hi,
head.
Dat young feller,' said Baptiste-
"wha's hees mem. hch:'
"He has no name. 1t is Just para
ble," explained Sandy.
lies got no aem? He's just par
omble? Das n young fellcrT asked
Baptste e,ssska-Ijy, "Das mean not
ing?"
Then NA3 ook him in hand an<
explained = Cd the meaning, while
Baptiste naAEsG even more eagerly
calculating ssas37: "Ah, VOLTA! Bon
BY gar" When Nelson had finished
he broke out: "Dat young feller-his
name Baptiste, heh? And de old Fad
der-he's lie bon Dieu? Bon! Das goot
story for me. How you go back? iot
20 to de pries':'
"The book doesn't say priest or an!
one else" said Nelson. You 20 back II
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