Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-10-21

ribbon Of earth rolled from it's blade
like petrified sea billow, crested with
a cluster of daisies white as the foam
Of a wave
Between the handles Of the plow and
leaning on the crossbar, his back to
the horses, stood a young Quaker His
broad-brimmed hat, set carelessly on
the back Of his head, disclosed a wide,
high forehead; his flannel shirt, open
al the throat, exposed a strong, colum-
mar neck, and deep, broad chest; his
| sunburned and muscular arms were
FOLDED across his breast; figure and
posture revealed the perfect concord
of body and soul with the beauty Of
the world; his great blue eyes were
fixed upon the notch in the hills where
the sun had just disappeared; he gazed
without seeing and felt without think
ing.
The boy approached this statuesque
figure with stealthy tread, and pluck
ing long spear Of grass ticked the
bronzed neck The hand Of the plow-
man moved automatically upward as
II to brush away fly, and at this un-
conscious action the child, seized by
convulsion Of laughter and fearing
lest 1t explode, stuffed his fists into
his mouth. In the opinion Of this ir-
reverent young skeptic his Uncle Dave
was In "tantrum" instead of a
trance" and he thought such a dis
ease demanded heroic treatment
For several years this Quaker youth
David Corson, had been the subject of
remarkable emotional experiences, In
explanation of which the rude wits of
the village declared that he had been
moon struck; the young girls who
adored his beauty thought he was in
love, and the venerable fathers and
mothers Of this religious community
believed that in him the scriptural |
prophecy, Your young men shall see |
visions" had been literally fulfilled. |
David Corson himself accepted the last |
explanation with unquestioning faith.
The life Of this young man had been |
pure and uneventful. Existence in
this frontier region, once full of the
tragedy Of Indian warfare, had been
gradually softened by peace and relig-
ion. In such a sequestered region
books and papers were scarce, and he
had access only to a few volumes writ
ten by quietists and mysttcs. and TO
that great mine Of sacred literature,
the Holy Bible. The seeds Of knowl
edge sown by these books In the rich
soil of this young heart were fertil-
zed by the society of noble men. vir-
.uous women, and natural surround.
ngs of exquisite beauty.
None Of these reflections disturbed
he mind Of the barefooted boy. Hav-
ng suppressed his laughter, he tickled
he sunburnt neck again. Once more
he hand rose automatically, and once
more the boy was almost stranRled
With delight. The dreamer was hard
o awaken, but his tOrmentor had not
'et exhausted his resources. No gem
line boy is ever without that funda-
mental necessity of childhood a pin.
md finding one somewhere about his
he thrust it into the leg Of
he plowman. The sudden sting
rought the soaring saint from heaven
0 earth. In an instant the mystic
vas a man. and a strong one, too He
eized the unsanctif1ed young repro
ate with one hand and hoisted him at
rms length above his head.
oh, Uncle Dave. III never do II
gain, Never, Never! Let me down"
SLlll DOIulNS MIN dIOIt as q hunter
-ould hold a falcon, the reincarnated
spirit" laughed long, loud and mer-
Ily, the echoes of his laughter ringing
p the valley like peal from a chime (
Z bells. The child's fear was needless, ,
)r the heart and hands that dealt with
i'm were as gentle as a woman's The
outh. resembling some old Morse god
s he stood there in the gathering
loom, lowered the child slowly, and 7
rinting a kiss on his cheek. said: I
Thee little pest, thee has no rever- n
nee. Thee should never disturb a y
HID at his play. bird on his nest :
or a man at his prayers" !,
But thee was not praying. Uncle y
ave" the boy replied. Thee was
My In another OF thy tantrums. The
upper has grown cold. the horses are =
red and Shep and / have walked a
Iile to call thee. Grandmother said II
lee had a trance. Tell me what thee 8
a. ssen In thy visions. Uncle DavsT y