The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1902-08-07
And Graeme's voice. hard till now.

And Graeme's voice. hard till now
broke in a sob.
He had forgotten us and was back
beside his passing friend. and all his
self control could not keep back the
flowing tears.
1T was his life for mine." he said
huskily.
The brother and sister were quietly
weeping, but spoke no word, though
knew Graeme was waiting for them.
took up the word and told Of what
l had known Of Nelson and his infiu-
ence upon the men Of Black Rock.
They listened eagerly enough. but still
without speaking. There seemed moth.
ing to say till l suggested to Graeme
that he must get some rest. Then the
girl turned to him and, impulsively put.
ting out her hand, said:
"Oh, it is all so sad, but how can we
ever thank you:'
Thank me:' gasped Graeme. "Can
you forgive me: brought him to his
death"
NO, no, You must not say so." she
answered hurricdly. You would have
done the same for him"
God knows | would" said Graeme
earnestly, "and God bless you for your
words"
And l was thankful to see the tears
start in his dry, burning eyes.
We carried him to the old home in
the country, that he might lie by the
side of the wife he had loved and
wronged. A few friends met us at the
wayside station and followed in sad
procession along the country road that
wound past farms and through woods
and at last up to the ascent where the
quaint old wooden church, black with
the rains and SHOWS Of many years,
stood among its silent graves. The lit.
tie graveyard sloped gently toward the
setting sun, and from 1t one could see,
far on every side, the fields Of grain
and meadowland that wandered Off
over softly undulating hills to meet the
maple woods at the horizon, dark,
green and cool. Here and there white
farmhouses, with great barns standing
near, looked out from clustering or.
chards.
Up the grass grown walk and
through the crowding mounds, over
which waves uncut the long, tangling
grass, we bear our friend and let him
gently down into the kindly bosom Of
Mother Earth, dark. moist and warm.
The sound Of Il distant cowbell mingles
with the voice of the last prayer; the
cods drop heavily with heart startling
echo; the mound is heaped and shaped
by kindly friends, sharing with one
another the task; the long, rough sods
nre laid over and patted into place; the
old minister takes farewell in q few
words of gentle sympathy; the brother
and sister, with lingering looks at the
two graves side by side, the old and
the new, step into the farmers car
riage and drive away; the sexton locks
the gate and goes home, and we are
left outside alone.
linen we went back ana stood by
Nelson's grave.
After long silence Graeme spoke.
"Connor, he did not grudge his life to
me, and l think" and here the words
came slowly, 81 understand now what
that means. who loved me and gave
himself for me-"
Then. taking off his hat, he said rev.
erently:
by Gods help Nelson's life shall
not end, but shall so on. Yes, old
man" looking down upon the grave,
I'm with YOU" and, lifting up his face
to the calm sky, God help me to be
Irue"'
Then he turned and walked briskly
away. as one might who had pressing
business or as soldiers march from a
comrades grave to merry tune. not
that they have forgotten. but they
have N'ill to fight.
...d this was the way old man Mel
son came home.
To BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.