Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-01-16

- Know WIFI HdQ dl1dLeu Hill.
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
ly 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 a little with the deep pip
ings of the organ across the square,
and, save for that, the town was very
quiet. The paths which crossed the
courthouse yard were flecked with
steady shadow, the strong young foli-
age of the naples not moving, having
the 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 it, 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
he did so 1t seemed to him that he
heard close to his ear another voice, a
woman's, troubled and insistent, but
clear and sweet, saying:
Remember Across Main street
bridge at noonI''
1t was so distinct that be started and
looked round. Then he laughed. sTll
be seeing circus parades next" His
laughter fed, for, louder than the ring
Ing in his ears, Enthusiastically came the
strains of faraway brass band which
had no existence on land or sea or in
the waters under the earth.
'sHere!' he said to the mongrel. 1--WE
need walk, I 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, it
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. IF you'll let me alone, I'll be
there
At dingy saloon corner near the
river shabby little man greeted him
heartily and petted the mongrel I'm
mighty glad you didn't go, after all,
joe he added. with a Frightening
face.
go where, Happy?"
Mr.. Fear looked grave. "Don't you
rec'lect meetin' me last night?"
Louden shook his head. "No Did
II"
The others jaw fell, and his brow
corrugated with self reproach. "Well,
if that don't show what a thick head
ami / thought We was all right er I'd
gone on with ye. Nobody cd "a walk
ed straighter ner talked straighter.
Said We was goin' to leave Canaan fer
good and didn't want nobody to know
it. Said We was goin' to take the 'leven
o'clock through train fer the west and
told me / couldn't come to the deepo
with We. Said ye'd had enough O. Ca
man and of everything. l follered We
part way to the deepo, but ye turned
and made a motion fer me to go back,
and done it because We seemed to be
kind of in trouble, and thought ye'd
ruther be by yerself. Well, sir, it's
one on me''
mot at ALL" said Joe. II was all
right
WAS yep returned the other. do
remember, do YET?
almost" Joe smiled family.
almost echoed Happy, shaking his
head seriously. II tell We, Joe, eff was
YOU he began slowly, then paused
and shook his head again. He seemed
on the point of delivering some advice,
but evidently perceiying the snobbish-
AcS5 VI SUCH d pIuGcSuIuS, OI SlSc GULL
WINGED by his own experience of the
futility of it, he swerved to cheerful
ness:
81 hear the boys is all goin' to work
hard fer the primaries. Mike says We
got some chances We don't know about.
He swears yell be the next mayor of
Canaan"
Nonsense! Folly and nonsense, Hap
Ply! That's the kind of thing / used to
think when was a boy. But now
pshawv' Joe broke off with a tired
laugh. TELL them not to waste their
time! Are you going out to the Beach
this afternoon?"
The little man lowered his eyes
moodily. 'I'll be near there" he said,
scraping his patched shoe up and down
the curbstone. THAT fellers in town
ag'in.''
'sWhat fellow?"
Nashville they call him. Eds the
name he give the hospital. Cory-him
that soaked the night you come back