The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-06-21

amazed ana Iull OF strange
wonder because he did not
= know what had amazed him.
A chime of bells sounded from church
steeple across the square. ringing out
IN assured righteousness, summoning
the good people who maintained them
to come and sit beneath them or be
taken to task, and they fell so dismal
" upon JOe's ear that he bestirred him
self and rose, to the delight of his mon
grel. who leaped upon him joyfully
An hour later or thereabout the pair
emerged from the narrow stairway and
stood for a moment, blinking in the
fair sunshine, apparently undecided
which way to go. The church bells
were silent. There was no breeze. The
air trembled little with the deep pip
ngs of the organ across the square,
and, save for that, the town was very
quiet. The paths which crossed the
courthouse yard were 1ecked with
steady shadow, the strong young foil
age of the naples not moving, having
ihe air of observing the Sabbath with
propriety The organ ceased to stir
the air. and all was in quiet. yet a
quiet which for Louden was not peace.
He looked at his watch and, without
intending 1t, spoke the hour aloud "A
quarter past H." The sound of his
own voice gave him little shock.
He rose without knowing why. and as
~ cid SO it seemed to him that he
beard close to his ear another voice,
woman's, troubled and insistent. but
clear and sweet, saying:
Remember! Across Main street
bridge at noon.'
1t was so distinct that he started and
looked round. Then he laughed, "Ill
be seeing circus parades next" His
laughter fed. for, louder than the ring
ing in his ears, Enthusiastically came the
strains of PARKWAY brass band which
had no existence on land or sea or in
the waters under the earth.
Here" he said to the mongrel. I'VE
need a walk, | think. Let's you and
me move ON before the camels turn
the corner"
The music followed him to the street,
where he turned westward toward the
river, and presently as he walked on,
tanning himself with his straw hat, 1t
faded and was gone. But the voice he
had heard returned
Remember. Across Main street
bridge at noonr' it said again close to
his ear.
This time he did not start. "All |
right" he answered, wiping his fore |
head III you'll let me alone, I'll be
there"
At dingy saloon corner near the
river a shabby little man greeted him |
heartily and petted the mongrel. I'm
mighty glad you didn't CO. after all,
Joe," he added, with Frightening
face.
Go where, Happy
Mr.. Fear looked grave. Don't you
'ec'lect meetin' me last night?'
Louden shook his head. mo. Did
y"
The others jaw. fell, and his brow
with self reproach. "Well,
that don't show what thick head ]
I'M! thought We was all right er I'd
zone on with We. Nobody cd "a walk
d straighter ner talked straighter.
laid We was goin' to leave Canaan fer
God and didn't want nobody to know
t. Said ye vas goin' to take the 'leven
CLOCK through train fer the west and
old me couldn't come to the deepo
With we. Said ye'd had enough o. Ca
aan and Of everything. follered We h
art way to the deepo, but We turned II
nd made a motion fer me to go back,
nd done II because We seemed to be
ind of in trouble and thought ye'd
uther be by yerself Well, sir, it's
ne on me-"
mot at ALL" said Joe. IT was all
ght."
WAS YEP returned the other. do