Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-06-19
above the humber trees.

AS we uTOVe through tne DIE swamp,
where the yawning, haunted gully
plunges down to its gloomy depths,
Craeme reminded me Of that night
when our horse saw something in that
same gully and refused to 60 past, and
I felt again, though 1t was broad day
light, something Of the grewsomeness
that shivered down my back as saw
in the moonlight the CLEAN Of q white
thing not far through the pine trunks.
As we came nearer home the houses
became familiar. Every house had it's
tale. We had eaten or slept in most
Of them: we had sampled apples and
cherries and plums from their or
chards, openly as guests or secretly as
marauders, under cover of night-the
more delightful way. fear. All. hap
py days, with these innocent crimes
and fecting remorses, how bravely we
faced them, and how gayly we lived
them, and how yearningly we look
back at them now! The sun was just
dipping into the treetops Of the distant
woods behind as we came to the top
Of the last hill that overlooked the val.
ley in which lay the village Of River
dale. Wooded bills stood about it on
three sides, and where the hills faded
out there lay the millpond sleeping and
smiling in the sun. Through the vii
lage ran the white road. up past the
old frame church and on to the white
manse hiding among the trees. That
was Graeme's home and mine, too, for
I had never known another worthy Of
the name. We held up our team to
look down over the valley, with its
rampant of wooded hills, its shining
pond and its nesting village. The
beauty, the peace, the warm, loving
LONELINESS of the scene, came about
our hearts; but, being men, we could
find no words.
Lets gow cried Graeme, and down
the hill we tore and rocked and sway
ed, to the amaZement of the steady
team, whose education from the earli-
est years had impressed upon their
minds the criminality Of attempting to
do anything but walk carefully down a
hill, at least for two-thirds Of the way.
Through the village in cloud of dust,
we swept. catching a glimpse Of a well
known face here and there and fiinging
a salutation as we passed. leaving the
owner Of the face rooted to his place in
establishment at the sight Of Graeme
whirling on in his old time. well known
reckless manner Only old Dune Nc
Leod was equal to the moment, for MS
Graeme called out, Hello. DuncW the
old man lifted up his hands and called
back in an awed voice:
"Bless my soul! Is it yourself?"
Islands his whisky well, poor old
chap" was Graeme's comment.
AS we neared the church he pulled
the sleepers there, then again on the
full run down the gentle slope, over
the little brook and up to the gate. He
had hardly got his team pulled up be-
fore, flinging me the lines, he was out
over the wheel, for coming down the
walk, with her hands lifted high, was
dainty little lady. with the face OF
her in his arms. heard the faint cry,
"Nly boy, my boy" and got down or
the other side to attend to my of
horse, surprised to find my hands trem
bling and my eyes full of tears. Back
upon the steps stood an old gentleman
with white hair and flowing beard
handsome, straight and stately
Graeme's father. waiting his turn.
"Welcome home, my lad!' was his
greeting as he kissed his son, and the
tremor Of his voice and the sight of the
two men kissing each other, like WON
en-. sent me again to my horses heads
There's Conner, mother" shouted
out Graeme, and the dainty little lady
in her black silk and white lace, cam.
out to me quickly, with outstretchet
hands.
"You. too. are welcome home" sht
said and kissed me.
stood with my hat off, saying some
thing about being glad to come, bu
wishing that | could get away before
should make quite fool of myself
for as looked down upon that beauti
full face. pale, except for faint flusl
upon each faded cheek. and read tn,
story Of pain endured and conquered
and rs I thought of all the long years
of waiting and of vain hoping, l found
my throat dry and sore, and the words
would not come. But her quick sense
needed no words, and she came to my
help.
You will find Jack Mt the stable,
she said, smiling. He ought to have
been here"
The stable. Why had I not thought
of that before? Thankfully now my
words came;
Yes, certainly, I'll find him. Mrs
Graeme. suppose he's as much of q
scapegrace as ever" And off I went
to look up Graeme's young brother
who had given every promise in the
old days Of developing into as stirring
a rascal as one could desire, but who
az / found out later, had not lived
these years in his mothers home 70,
nothing.
"Oh, Jacks good boy" she an
swered, smiling again, as she turned
toward the other two, now waiting fol
her upon the walk.
The week that followed was happy
one for us all. but for the mother il
was full to the brim with Joy. Hel
sweet face was full Of content, and II
her eyes rested great peace. Oul
days were spent driving about among