Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-14

l had remained With me as grew oiuer the fear of the night man. Every boy and girl in the valley trembled at the mention of him. Many time had held awake in the late evening to hear the men talk of him before they went asleep-Uncle Eb and Tip Taylor I remember a. night when Tip said in low, awesome tone that he was a ghost. The word carried into my soul the first thought of its great and fear full mystery.
 Years and years ago." said he, 'there was boy by the name of Nehe' miah Brewer. An he killed another boy once by accident an run away an was drownded."
 '"Drowndedw said Uncle Eb. "How?" ,.
 "In the ocean," the first answered, gaping. Went away off round the world. an they got letter that said he was drownded on bis way to Van Die man's Land.'
 "'ro Van Dieman's Land"'
 Yes. an some say the night man is the ghost O the one he killed" I remember waking that night and hearing excited whispers at the win dow near my bed. It was very dark in the room. and at first I could not tel who was there.
 Don't you see him?' Tip whispered.
 "Where?" I heard Uncle Eb ask.
 fhn mfr move"
 At that time was up at the window myself and could plainly see the dars figure of man standing under the lit tie pine below us.
 "The night man, I guess" said Uncle Eb. But he won't do no harm. Let him alone. He's goin' away now"
 We saw him disappear behind the trees. and then we got back into our beds again. I covered my head with the bedclothes and said small prayer for the poor night man.
 And in this atmosphere of mystery and adventure among the plain folk of Faraway. whose care of me when I was in great need and whose love of me always I count among the priceless treasures of Gods providence, my childhood passed. And the day came near when was to begin to play my poor part in the world.
 It was time of new things, that winter when I saw the end of my if. teenth year. Then began to enjoy the finer humors of life in Faraway, to see with understanding and by Gods. grace to feel
 The land of play and fear and fable was now far behind me, and had be- gun to feel the infinite in the ancient forest. in the everlasting hills, in the deep of heaven, in all the ways of men. Hope Brewer was now near woman grown. She had beauty of face and form that. was the talk of the country side. I have travelled far and seen many fair face but never one more to my eye. have heard men say she was like girl out of story book those days.
 Late years something had come be- tween us. Long ago we had fallen out of each others confidence, and ever since she had seemed to shun me. I began to play with boys and she with .gitls.'H And 1t made me miserable to hear the boys bit older than gossip of her beauty and accuse each other of the sweet disgrace of love-
 But I must hasten to those events in Faraway that shaped our destinies. And first comes that memorable night when I had the privilege of escorting Hope to the school lyceum. where the argument of Jed Feary. poet of the hills, fired my soul with an ambition that has remained with me always.
 Uncle Eb suggested that ask Hope to go with me.
 France right up to her." he said, "an' say you'd be glad of the pleasure of her company"
 It seemed to me very dubious thing to do. I looked thoughtful and turned red In the face.
 Young man." he continued. "the boy thet's 'fraid O women Fl never hev whiskers."
 Flows thatT' inquired.
 Be scairt t death," he answered, "'fore they've he'd time t start. Ye want t step right up t the rack jes' if ye'd bought an paid fer yerself an was proud O yer bargain" .
 I took his advice, and when I found Hope alone in the parlor I came and asked her, very awkwardly as I now remember, to go with me.
 She looked at me. blushing, and said she would ask her mother.
 And she did, and we walked to the schoolhouse together that evening, her hand holding my arm timidly. the most serious pair that ever struggled with the problem of department on such an occasion. was oppressed with heavy sense of responsibility in every word I uttered.
 Ann Jane Foster. known as Scooter Jane." for her rapid walk and stiff car riage. met us at the corners on her way to the schoolhouse
 Big turnout. I guess" said she. Jed Feary an Squire Town is comin' over from Jingleville an all the big guns Fl be there'I love t hear Jed Feary speak. He's so techin'."
 Ann Jane was always looking around for some event likely to touch her feel irgs. She went to every funeral in Faraway. and when sorrow was scarce in her own vicinity journeyed far in