Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-01-07
THE HEIR OF PEACE.
A NEW YEARS STORY.
By Mrs. c. X. Reifsnider.

F, with his three friends, following his
training. Despite the financial strain,
l am just as happy as though the boom
had continued, n here we are, ana
there his vacant chair"
"And this old haunted house you
have held in such reverence as to make
it your home instead of the elegant
bachelor quarters all the youngbloods
have at the club"
Just sol"
and you honor the old friend to
whom the newspapers say was ieft the
sole disposal of a good round sum of
money that, according to every rule,
should have gone to the young man
who devoted his life to this eccentric
old judge!''
His only ecccntricity being that he
was just to himself and to all men. If
he deprived me of anything (and ! do
not feel that he did) IT was because
he understood me s we'll he thought
that II was not best for my eternal
good to have it. He always taught
me hat God works for mans eternal
good, and permits even evils to come
TO him in order that he may see them,
shun them, and be led unto a better
life. He taught me that the care for
the. morrow, forbidden of the Lord,
was to be discomfort with ones lot to-
day; not to trust to the Divine, but to
ones self, and TO look only TO worldly
things for happiness which would
bring anxiety, and the lust Of possess
ing all things, and of ruling over all
men, which would kindle and grow
according to it's increase; that it would
bring only grief, for n could not then
enjoy the things one longs for, yet
would be tormented if one lost them,
and would end by anger against the
Divine, and would curse ones self and
ones own folly at the last"
Wise old friend, wise old judge of
the law, both human and divine. Sit
you down Harold, and hear me-"
Edwards ears were up now, but nc
one needed him. or remembered he
was near.
The three guests, chuckling inwardly,
drew around a table, upon which a
saded lamp threw a softened light, and
the judge, drawing a letter and some
papers from his pocket, said:
This letter is addressed to Banker
Ryan, Rev. Thomas and myself, and
reads:
IF / am correct in the estimate 1
have made OF my dear young friends
he has with me. that is ne will
observe the highest law Of life
sincerity and gratitude. / feel sure
that he loved me for myself alone, but
lest he might have been misjudged by
those less fair minded, l nave desired
to give him the opportunity to prove to
all men his true and noble nature. If
he follows, as l feel he will, every wish
that he understood in my life relating
to our usual festive occasion, made
holy by sacred friendship, the occu-
pancy of the old house, the retention
of my faithful servants, and has lived
strictly within his income, then it is
my wish that at the first New Years
Eve reunion after my death, he be
made aware Of the terms of my last
will"
Edward gasped audibly. Harold sat
wide-eyed as though his friends were
trying him; his gaze turned from them
to the portrait over the chimney and
rested there. He made 40 answer, and
the three men sat looking at him won
deringly.
written on his face. How like their
old friend. Never respondent in mis-
fortune nor elated with success.
Harold, is this not good news ?" said
the banker.
1T is, being a confirmation Of all
that has preceded, n only strengthens
my faith in his love and goodness; only
makes me the greater debtor to him.
But, had / failed-where or to whom
would this money have gomez"
Il the Episcopal Orphans home"
Turning round he saw that Edward
had risen, n at the next he
extended his hand in congratulation to
Harold.
Harold begged them to say no more
about 1T. He was overwhelmed with
gratitude, but he must bear 1t silently,
for thai was mis- way; he never
brimmed over; 1t was the still water
that lay in a recess too deep for ex-
preston.
JOY, peace, love! the world is full OF
1t, whatever the pessimists may say!
More evil than the world ever wit
messed before. 1t may be so, it has
only come to the surface SO tina ii
could be purified. No one knows an
others evil thoughts and desires; but
when they come forth in dishonest
acts the world who bowed to the evi.
thinker strikes back at the ~evildoer
New Years day! This evil world
as men say, this wicked world with al
it's e%vildoers, this footstool of the Mos
High, his dwelling place Of His chill
dren, was blest once again with sun
shine and air, while peace to every