Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-01-08

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= TlH HE CLEAN Of the great fire
through the windows Of the
RNTITN] great camp gave kindly
80 welcome as we drove into
the clearing in which the shanties
stood. Graeme was greatly touched
at his enthusiastic welcome By the
men. At the supper table he made q
little speech of thanks for their faith
Iulness during his absence, specially
commencing the care and efficiency
OF Mt. Nelson, who had had charge of
the camp. The men cheered wildly.
baptlste's shrill voice leading all. Mel
son, being called upon, expressed in
rev 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 1t; 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 garment over all the
open spaces in soft, waving folds and
crowded every stump with quantity
shaped nightcap. Above the camps the
smoke curled up from the campfres,
i 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
great cathedral from range to range,
covering us in its kindly shelter. How
| homelike 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 comrade.'
How beautiful! Too beautiful said
Graeme, stretching out his arms. "a
night like this takes the heart out of
me-" ss.s .s.
| stood silent, drinking in at every
sense the night, with its wealth Of
loneliness. s..
What Il Il, want2'' he went on.
''Why does the night make my heart
ache? There are things to see and
things to hear Just beyond me. I can
not get to them,
The gay careless look was gone from
his faces ara "a dark eyes were wistful
with yearning.
81 often wonder II life has nothing
better for me-" he continued with his
heartache voice.
said no word, but put my arm with
in his. A light appeared in the stable.
Glad Of a diversion, 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 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 remark. 1t was a scene l have
never been able to forget. Today
pause in my tale and see it as clearly
as when l 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 Of 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 the
book to Nelson, who put it in his pock-
ct, saying:
That's for us, boys. amt it?'
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 l might come"
said old Nelson earnestly and hope
fully.
AYE, but you are not Lachlan Camp
bell, and you have not had his priyi-
leges. My father was godly elder in
the Free Church Of Scotland. and new
er night or morning but we took the
books"
Eyes, but he said any man," per-
sisted Nelson, putting his hand on