The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-10
ALLAN GARRIGUS

families Crying babies didn't seem to
bother any one there. / liked the friendll-
ness, the shaking hands and the talking
about crops till the second bell. L liked TO
so in and pick out my own seat and carry
my buggywhip with me if it pleased me-
| wonder what they'd say to that here.
Anyway, l think it's a better plan. Men
naturally grade their distance from the
pulpit according to their own ideas OF their
fitness, and Sinners and dollars amt near
so liable to get into the amen corner-and
stay there.
Il admired the spirit in which they sang.
too. Everybody Joined in, whether he could
sing or not, and l must say l haven heard
anything yet to beat it, even If the bass
did get little strong at times, and even If
Sister Bettys voice did sound as II she was
singing through fine-toothed comb. Some
Elder RobertSonS preaching, too; said he
whistled when he talked. That wasn't the
fault of his religion twas only the fit OF
his teeth and if the good Lord sees proper
to take away mans teeth and leaves
his heart pure, He hasn't ruined him in my
estimation. After the services, too, there
wasn't any hurTying out like trains were
to be made. Brother talked with brother,
and brother went home with brother, and
everybody was happy and a stranger was
treated like the one and the ninety-n1ne
Now, Ma, you see what idleness and the
, devil has been a doing for me. And some
thing, else has crept into my heart, too
alongside of the doubts and l didn't know
what it was. But this morning when
heard that bluebird's song | knew it was
a message from the farm; and it came to
me that this strange aching all over was
nothing in the world but inconsistencies.
There's no use concealing the fact,
want to go back where the sun comes up
from behind the hills and trees without
any coal smudge on his face. Where the
birds tell US to get up, instead of factory
whistles. I'd like to step out OF our old
back-door this morning and start the wind
mill and get drink of real water and
smell the cool sweet air; to look out over
the farm and run my eyes across the
wheat field with its long rows OF little
soldiers in green; to listen to the chickens
chucking and Growing, the guinea fowls
a-nollering 'petrark-petrark and the old
gobbler making a sound like pouring pota-
toes into an empty barrel.
LESS us say we're down there this morn
ine-just make believe, to please me. I'll
get UP and light the fire and pick out the
milk things and go TO the barnyard. Old
Rose will be in the lane horning the other
cattle away from the gate, and Maze Will
run along in front and bark and chase the
old gobbler. Charley will nicker when l go
in and take q nip at me when l give him
his corn, he always does that Then III
open UP the lane gate for the cows and
| drag the calves in by the neck and out by
the TAIL when they've had their share Yes,
l believe l would really enjoy that this
morning although it's dreadful trying at
times. Next I'll milk. can smell old
Roses breath now. Talk about the per-
fumes of Araby; to my mind there's moth
ing any sweeter than the breath of COW,
fresh from the bluegrass. When I'm done
I'll carry the milk to the house with the
cat running along in front to be sure of her
share. I'll set the buckets in the troft and
turn on the water, and Ill smell the coffee
and ham. and you'll be in the kitchen a
singing Rock in Weary Land-say, Ma,
| you haven't sung that since we come to
| town and I'm blessed if you amt a-crying!
| See here now Amanda, | won't say another
word. 'Tisnt best, is it? You don't want
| to go back and m only an old fool-what!
| you say you do; you've been holding back
1 md / cay 20
u.s. then there's two fools, and Maize
stopped and kissed her awkwardly, but
tenderly-"Ma. bless God there's no angel
with shining sword to warn out OF our
4 fools Daradise!"