Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1911-12-21
The COurtShip Of
Miles StundiSh
With illustrations by
Howard Chandler ChriStv

(CepvighE The Bo
Let him sleep on, 1t is best; for what
is the use of more talking!"
Then he extinguished the light, and
threw himself down on his pallet,
Dressed as he was. and ready to start
at tho break OF the morning.
Covered himself with the cloak he
had worn In his campaigns in
Flanders, tt
Slept ~ . soldier sleeps In his
bivouAc. ready for action,
But with the dawn he arose; In the
twilight Alden bsheld him
Put on his cosslst OF steel. and all
the rest Of his armor,
Buckle about his waist his trusty
blade Of Damascus,
50 stride out Of the chamber.
Often the heart of the youth had
burned and yearned TO embrace
him,
Often his lips had essayed to speak
implortng for pardon:
AL tho old friendship came back.
with It's tender and grateful ono
tons;
But his pride overmastered the nobler
nature within him.
Pride, and the sense OF his wrong
and the burning fire Of the insult
So he beheld his friend departing in
anger, but spake not,
Cav HIM forth IN dap0ar porhanC
TO death, and he spake not!
Then he arose from his bed, and
heard what the people were say
ing,
Joined In the talk at the door, with
Stephen and Richard and Gilbert,
Joined In the morning prayer, and ia
the reading Of Scripture,
And. with the others, IN haste went
hurrying down to the sea shore,
Down to the Plymouth Rocs, that had
been to their feet as a doorstep
Into a world unknown,-the corner,
stone of nation!
There with his boat was the Master,
already little impatient
Lest he should lose the tide, or the
wind might shift to the eastward.
squarebuilt, hearty. and strong, with
an odor Of ocean about him,
Speaking with this one and that. and
examining letters and parcels
Into his pockets capacious, and mes
sages mingled together
Into his narrow brain, till at last he
was wholly bewildered.
Nearer the boat stood Alden. with one
foot placed on the gunwale,
One still firm on the rock. and talking
at times with the sailors,
Seated erect on the thwarts, all ready
and eager for starting.
He, too, was eager to go, and thus
put an end to his anguish.
Thinking to fly from despair. that
swifter than keel is or canvas,
Thinking to drown In the sea the
ghost that would rise and pursue
him.
But as he gazed on the crowd. he be-
held the form OF Priscilla
Standing detected among them, uncon-
ecious Of all that was passing.
Fixed were her eyes upop his, as II
she OWNED his intention,
Fixed with a look so sad. so reproach-
full: imploring end patient,
That with sudden revulsion his
heart recoiled from its purpose,
AS from the verge Of a crag, where
one step more Is destruction.
Strange is the heart of man, with its
quick, mysterious instincts!
Strange Is the life of man, and fatal
or fated are moments,
Whereupon turn, as on hinges. the
gates Of the wall adamantine!
Here | remain!" he exclaimed, as he
looked at the heavens above him,
Thanking the Lord whose breath had
scattered the mist and the mad
ness,
Wherein, blind and lost. to death he
was staggering headlong.
"Yonder snowwhite cloud, that floats
In the ether above me,
Seems like hand that Is pointing
and beckoning over the ocean.
There Is another hand, that Is not so
spectral and ghost-like,
Holding me, drawing me back, and
clasping mine for protection.
Float, 0 hand OF cloud, and vanish
away In the ether!
Roll myself up like fist, to threaten
and daunt me- heed not
Either your warning or menace, or
any omen of evil
There Is no land so sacred, no air so
pure and 80 wholesome.
AS is the air she breathes, and the
soil that Is pressed by her foot
steps.
Here for her sake will | stay, and like
an invisible presence
Hover around her for ever. protecting,
supporting her weakness;
Yes as my foot was the first that
stepped on this rock at the land
ing.
O. With the h1aoctp0 ~ ODD ohaI1 n