St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-10-29
BLACK ROCK.
TContinued from Oct. 15.]
CHAPTER VII.

| a
the clearing in which the shanties
stood. Graeme was greatly touched
at his enthusiastic welcome by the
men. At the supper table he made a
little speech of thanks for their faith
fitness during his absence, specially
commencing the care and efficiency
of Mr.. Nelson, who had had charge of
the camp. The men cheered wildly,
Baptiste's shrill voice leading all. Mel
son, being called upon, expressed in a
few words his pleasure at seeing the
boss back and thanked the men for
their support while he had been in
charge.
The men were for making a night
of it; but, fearing the effect upon
Graeme, l spoke to Nelson, who pass
ed the word, and in a short time
the camp was quiet. AS we saun-
tered from the grub camp to the office,
where was our bed, we paused to take
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 to lean lovingly toward us.
The dark pine masses stood silent, as
in breathless alteration. The dazzling
snow lay like a garment over all the
open spaces in soft, waving folds and
crowded every stump with a quantity
shaped nightcap. Above the camps the
smoke curled up from the camphres,
standing like pillars of cloud that kept
watch while men slept, and high over
all the deep blue night sky, with its
star Jewels, sprang like the roof of a
great cathedral from range to range,
covering us in its kindly shelter. How
homelike and safe seemed the valley,
with it's 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 a comrade.
"How beautiful! Too beautiful said
Graeme stretching out his arms. "A
night like this takes the heart out of
me-"
l stood silent, drinking in at every
sense the night, with its wealth Of
ioyeiness.
"What is it I want?" he went on.
"Why does the night make my heart
ache? There are things to see and
things to hear just beyond me. | can
not get to them"
The gay, careless look was gone from
his face. His dark eyes were wistful
; with yearning.
81 often wonder if life has nothing
better for me-" he continued with his
f heartache voice.
l said no word, but put my arm with
in his. y light appeared in the stable.
, Glad of diversion, | said:
} "What is the light? Let us go and
see"
SANDY, taking a last look at his
team, like enough"
We walked slowly toward the stable,
! speaking no word. AS we neared the
q the monotone of one reading. stepped
forward and looked through a chink be-
tween the logs. Graeme was about to
open the door, but | held up my hand
and beckOned him to me. In a vacant
stall, where WAS pile of straw, a
e number of men were grouped. Sandy,
: leaning against the tying post, upon
: which the stable lantern hung, was
u reading; Nelson was kneeling in front
of him and gazing into the gloom be-
4 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
i men sat near him. Sandy was reading
i the undying story of the prodigal. Mel
r son now and then stopping him to
r make a remark. 1t was Il scene have
!. never been able to forget. Today |
! pause in my tale and see it as clearly
= as when | looked through the chinl
: upon it years ago-the long low stable,
a with log walls and upright hitching
# poles; the dim outlines of the horses in
S the gloom of the background and the
d little group Of rough, almost savage
k looking, men, with faces wondering
and reverent, lighted by the misty light
of the stable lantern.
After the reading Sandy handed the
i book to Nelson, who put it in his pock-
d et saying:
r "That's for us, boys, amt it?'
q "Aye," said Lachlan. at 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
as he spoke, and his voice was full of
pain.
5 "The minister said l might come"
!, said old Nelson earnestly and hope
fully.
"Aye, but you are not Lachlan Camp
bell, and you have not had his privi-
leges. My father was a cody elder in
> the Free Church of Scotland, and new
= err night or morning but we took the
: books"
y Eyes, but he said amy man," per-
= sisted Nelson, putting his hand on
Lachan's knee but Lachlan shook his
head.
Dat young Teller" said Baptiste-
"wha's hees men, heh"
''He has no name. 1t is just a para