Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-04-23

had no right to tell. But he was evel
hoping for some word of his father
news that might set him free. He had
planned to visit Polly, and on a Ger
tain day Darrell was to meet him a,
Robins Inn. The young man waited
in some doubt Of his duty, and tina,
day came, one of the late summer
when he and Darrell went afoot to the
Inn, crossing hill and valley as the
crow flies, stopping here and there al
isles of shadow In hot amber sea OF
light. They sat long to hear the dron
ing in the stubble and let their though,
drift slowly as the ship becalmed.
"Some days." said Darrell, "the SOU
in me is like a toy skiff, tossing in the
ripples Of q duck pond an mayhal
stranding on reed or lily. An then,'
he added, with kindling eye and voice
''she is great ship, her sails league
long an high, her masthead raking the
stars, her hull in the infinite sea-"
"Well," said Trove, signing, I'm
still in the ripples Of the duck pond"
can see they do not swamp thee,'
said Darrell, with smile that seemed
to say, Poor weakling, your trouble
is only as the ripples of tiny pool
They went on slowly, over green pas
lures, hating ut brook in the woods
There again they rested in COO
shade of pines, Darrell lighting his pipe
II envy thee, boy" said the tinker
entering on thy life work in this great
land-a country blest o God. To thee
all high things are possible. Where
was born, let poor lad have grea,
hope in him, an all-aye, all-ever
those he loved, rose up to cry him
down. Here in this land all cheer an
bid him godspeed. An here is to be the
great theater o. the worlds action
Many Of high hope in the broad earth
shall come, an here they shall do theil
work. An Its spirit shall spread like
the rising waters, aye, 1t shall food the
world, boy, it shall food the world"
Trove made no reply, but he thought
much and deeply Of what the tinker
said. They lay back awhile on the
needle carpet, thinking. They could
hear the murmur Of the brook and @
woodpecker drumming on dead tree.
Me head is busy as yon woodpeck
er's," Darrell went on. Its the sou
fire in this great, free garden O. God
it's America. Have ye felt ii, boy?"
Eyes; 1t is in your eyes and on your
tongue" said Trove.
"Ah, boy, it's only Gods oxygen
Think O. the poor fools whitening OF
cracker barrels In Hillsborough an
wearing away the lag end O. theil
lewdness.' 1 have no patience will
the like O. them. I'd rather be q
butchers clerk an carry with me the
redolence o. ham,"
In Hillsborough, where all spoke OF
him as an odd man Of great learning
there We're none, saving Trove and two
or three others, that knew the tinker
well, for he took no part in the roaring
gossip of shop and store.
Hath it ever occurred to thee" said
Darrell as they walked along, ''that q
fool is blind to his folly, wise man t.
his wisdom?'
When they were through the edge OF
the wilderness and came out on Cedar
hill and saw. below them the great
round shadow of Robins Inn they be-
gan to hasten their steps. They could
see Polly reading book under the big
tree.
"What no, the little queen" said
Darrell as they came near. Now, put
upon her brow an odorous chaplet o
sweet summer buds.'"
She came to meet them In q pretty
pink dress and slippers and white
stockings.
Fair lady, bring thee flowers
said Darrell, handing her a bouquet
"They are from the great garden O
the fields"
"And I bring crown" said Trove
as he kissed her and put wreath OF
clover and wild roses on her brow.
II thought something dreadful had
happened" said Polly, with tears In
her eyes. For three days I've been
dressed up waiting"
"An' grand dress 1t is," said Oar
rel, surveying her pretty figure.
"Ive nearly worn 1t out waiting
said she, looking down. her voice trem.
bling.
''Tut, tut. girl-'tis lovely Dress
the tinker insisted.
ut is one my mother wore when she
was a girl" said Polly proudly. ut
was made over"
"O-oh, God love thee, child!" said the
tinker in tone of great admiration.
:. tbs beautiful"
"And you came through the woods p
said Polly.
Through wood and field" was
Trove's answer.
Il wonder you knew the way"
"The little god O. love, he shot his
arrows, an we followed them as the
hunter follows the bee" said Darrell.
ut was nice of you to bring the
ILL.,
But not like those in thy cheeks,
dear child. Where is the good moth.
err said Darrell.
"She and the boys are gone a-berry.
ipR, pud havss.bt,auS saakSnr IL ally,