The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1909-05-13
UNDER the KING
OF
the PINES.
Ey ALICE SPENCER GEDDES.
+++++ ++++ -

SnTllly IN IOS mountain ar. NC WIT n
men began TO collect their coats and
empty dinner boxes preparatory TO
scrambling into Bill Bickford's cart for
their hOmewaTd journey. The dusty
white mare settled herself in her har-
ness and broke into that rambling trot
which it was her custom never to vary
during the entire eight miles TO the
village.
Say, fellers, look at thet, now" said
Bill, as they turned into the valley.
The men looked anxiously toward a
one-story cabin which stood alone in
the centre OF a field on the opposite
side Of the road from the clearing.
On the low doorstep crouched an old
man, his head resting on his knees,
and his long. white hair falling almost
20 The ground.
When I ken down to the river
morn two hour ago. continued Bill,
Uncle Ord sat thar Jest like tibet, and
- si1r moved e straw since. Guess
he's sleepsl'-~
Tie rattle CO the Tamshaclle cart
S,e3 away and only the gurgle Of the
b1E frogs Sn5 the chipping OF a wake
m h--6 broke the twilight stiffness.
As re sunset colO-s grew dim, Uncle
O7d's head sank lower ard lower and
ks began 20 rock himself back and
o0-7h and moan
K amt no use, can't hear ii no
how l. amt 10 use"
Never before had Uncle Ord been
otherwise than happy. He was so gay
and JOYOUS playmate that the chill
drea for miles around all loved him.
and TIE farm folks would have as soon
expected ID see the King Of the Pines,
on the top OF the mountain opposite
his cabin. wither and die as 10 find
Uncle Ord sorrowfUl So many were
the years that he had lived alone in
his little cabin that even the Oldest
Inhabitants could hardly remember
when he came. or the reasons for his
choice of a solitary life. As time
brought more and more infirmities 10
him, the kindly folks of the valley
came 10 feel that Uncle Ord was per-
sonal responsibility. They took turns
In taking him provisions. and as the
winters came around. one and another
tried in vain to persuade him TO leave
his lonely home and live with them.
When the New Hampshire Lumber
Company built the saw mill, and the
roar Of the machinery shut off the
songs of the birds, Uncle Ord grew per-
ceptibly weaker and weaker. He
seemed to wither with the trees as
they lay strewn upon the hillside. But
every day-each time more slowly and
feebly-he climbed the mountain and
rested for a longer and longer time
under the remaining pines
On the morning Of the day when
Bill Bickford thought he was asleep,
one of the men had called out TO him
as he passed the mill
We'll, Uncle Ord" he had said,
''ye'd better make the most of them
pines terday. fer they'll be the next
to go tomorrow"
Uncle Ord reeled and swayed where
he stood. His knees gave way, but
with courageous effort he drew him
self erect, pointed with his gaunt and
trembling foTefnger to a group OF
pines on the crest of the mountain.
and in a thin, cracked voice asked
weakly:
Them up there, de we mean?"
The man nodded.
Uncle Ord stared first at the man
and then at the trees, his weather
stained, tanned cheeks grew pale un-
der the brown, his lips moved but the
sounds he made in his throat were I'M
ineligible. At last his head fell
weakly on his breast and his arms
dropped Imply at his sides. Then he
turned and tottered down the hill.
When he reached the cabin he sank on
the doorstep and did not move until
reused by the shouts of Bill and the
men in the cart. rs the evening mist
crept up the valley and laid its chilly
mantle around him, he shivered, drew
his knees closer to his body and con-
tinued TO moan and murmur:
Il can't bear it, nohow. 1t amt no
use"
He paid no heed when, from the
woods at the foot of the mountain. n
vesper sparrow sent forth its tender
note of calling-a note that had al
ways found its answer in the heart of
Uncle Ord. But when the bird uttered
another y-aprolonged, plaintive cry
which seemed to mourn the desoIation
OF the barren hillside ceased to moan
and raised his head to listen. AS she
cried o4t again, even saddcr than be-
fore, he sobbed:
Ye can't bear it. nuther, can we, lit.
lie bird?"
Until the sparrow had finished his |
esper call, Uncle Ord listened. his
yes resting on the group OF pines at
he top of the mountain. AS their ost-
mes gradually faded into the gather
'g darkness. he struggled to his feet
I'd inurnHred: J