Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-05-29


t&As.ts welcome as we drove into
the clearing in which the shantics
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
fulncss during his absence, specially
commanding the care and efficiency
of Mr.. Nelson. who had had charge Of
the camp. The men checred wildly,
Baptistc's shrll voice leading all. Mel
son.. being called upon. expressed in Il
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, | spoke to Nelson, who pass
ed the word, and in short time
the camp was quiet. AS we saun-
eered 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
md seemed 10 lean lovingly toward us.
The dark pine masses stood silent, as
in breathless alteration. The dazzling
snow lay like a garment over ell the
open spaces in soft. waving folds and
crowded every stump with quantity
shaped nightcap. Above the camps the
tmoke cured up from the campfres,
standing like pillars Of cloud that kept
watch while men slept, and high over
oil the deep blue night sky, with its
star jewels, sprang like the roof Of
great cathedral from range to range,
covering US in its kindly shelter. How
humclike 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 a cOmrade.
How beautiful! Too beautiful" said
Graeme, stretching out his arms. "A
night like this takes the heart out Of
me-"
stood silent. drinking in at every
sense the night, with It's wealth OF
loneliness.
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. 1 can
rot get to them.'|
The gay, careless look was gone from
his face. His dark eyes We're wistfu
with yearning.
81 often wonder if life has nothing
better for me-" he continued with his
heartache voice.
| said no word, but put my arm with
in his \ light appeared in the stable.
Glad of a diversion. l said
What is the light? Let us 60 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
door we heard the sound of voice in
the monotone of one reading. l stepped
forward and looked through chink be-
tween the logs. Graemc was about to
open the door, but | held up my hand
and beckoned him to me. In q vacant
W II'Ic NdS IL plIc vi OIL NV, u
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 undyiug story Of the prodigal, Mel
son now and then stopping him to
make remark. 1t was scene ! have
never been able to forget. Today
pause in my tale and see it ms clearly
ms when | looked through the chnk
upon it years ago-the long, low stable,
With log walls and upright htching
poles; the dim outlines Of the horses in
the gloom Of the background and the
little group OF rough, almost savage
looking. men. with faces wondering
and reyerent lighted by the misty light
of the stable lantern.
After the reading Sandy handed the
book to Nelson, who put it in his peck
Ell, saying:
That's for US, boys, amt itf"
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.
THE minister said | 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 godly elder in
the Free Church Of Scotland, and new
er a night or morning but we took the
books"
eyes, but he said amy man." per-
sisted Nelson, putting his hand on
Lachlan's knee, but Lachlan shook his
head.
dat young Teller" said Baptiste-
"wha's hees mem. hehW
He has no name. 1t Is just a para
ble," explained Sandy.
"Hes got no nem? He's Just par
omble? Das no young feller?" asked
Baptiste anXiously. "Das mean not
ingY
Then Nelson took him In hand and