Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-09-10

Liz sun Idu just LISA ppeaTeu, HS RdZeu
without seeing and felt without think
ing.
HI boy approached this s~tatuesque
figure with a stealthy tread, and pluck
ing a long spear of grass tickled the
bronzed neck. The hand of the plow-
man moved automatically upward as
If to brush away a fly, and at his un-
conscious action the child, seized by
a convulsion Of laughter and fearing
lest it explode, stuffed his fists into
his mouth. In the opinion Of this ir-
reverent u skeptic his Uncle Dave
was in a "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
h 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 s%criptural
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 mar had been
pure and u~neventful. Existence in
thtswfrontier region, once full of the
tragedy of Indian warfare, had been
gradually softened by peace and rclig-
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 mystics, and to
that great mine Of sacred literature,
the Holy Bible. The seeds Of knowI-
edge sown by these books in the rich
soil of this young heart were fertil-
lied by the society of noble men. vir-
tuous women, and natural surround
ings Of exquisite beauty.
None OF these reflections disturbed
the mind Of the barefooted boy. Hay
Ing suppressed his laughter, he tickled
the sunburnt neck again. Once more
the hand rose automatically. and once
more the boy was almost strangled
with delight. The dreamer was hard
to awaken, but his tormentor had not
yet exhausted his resources No gen
uine boy is ever without that funda-
mental necessity Of childhood, a pin,
and finding n somewhere about his
clothing, he thrust it into the leg of
the plowman. The sudden sting
brought the soaring saint from heaven
to earth. In an instant the mystic
was a a mi a strong one. too. He
seized the unsanctif1ed young repro
bate with one hand and hoisted him at
arms length above his head.
"Oh, Uncle Dave, I'll never do it
again! Never! Never! Let me down"
Still holding hin aloft as a hunter
would hold a falcon, the re~incarnated
spirit" laughed long, loud and mer-
rily, the echoes OF his laughter ringing
up the valley like a peal from a chime
of bells. The child's fear was needless,
for the heart and hands that dealt with
him were as gentle as a woman's. The
youth. resembling some old Morse god
as he stood there in the gathering
gloom, lowered the child slowly, and
printing a kiss IN his cheek, said:
thee little pest, thAn has no rever-
ence! Thee should never disturb a
child at his play. a bird on his nest
nor a man at his prayers"
But thee was not praying, Uncle
Dave" the boy replied. Thee was
only in mother of thy tantrums. The
supper has grown cold. the horses are
tired and Shep and I nave walked a
mile to call thee. Grandmother said
thee had a trance. Tell me what thee
has seen in thy visions, Uncle Dave?"
God and His angels" said the young
mystic softly, falling again into the
mood from which he had been so rude
ly awakened.
"Angels!" scoffed the young mate
rialist. II thee was thinking of any
angel at all, 1 will bet thee 1t was Dor
othy Fraser"
"Tush. child, do not be silly" replied
the convicted culprit. For it vas easier
than he would care to admit to mingle
visions Of beauty with those of holi-
ness
It am not silly. Thee would not dare
say thee was not thinking of her. She
thinks of thee"
How does thee know"
Because she gives me bread and
jam If I so much as mention thy name.
Uncle Dave, vas It really up this very
valley that Mad Anthony Wayne
marched with his brave soldiers?
This very valley"
Il wish I could nave been with him."
1T Is an evil wish. Thee Is a child
Of peace Thy father and thy fathers
fathers ave denied the right of men
to Thee ought to be like them.
and love the things that make for
peace.
We'll. II I y not wish for Wal. I
will wish that a runaway slave would
dash up this valley with . pack OF
bloodhounds ut his heels. Oh Uncle
Davs. tell me that story about thy hid
ing 9 negro In the hATstack, ana chick