American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1912-08-01
THE C
STORY
BY M. QUAD


when Deacon Strathers dropped In one
evening to have a glass of cider and
listen to a few yarns. He was no talk
er. No n had ever known Of his
telling a story. He was always quiet
and thoughtful, and he started to do
something that night that astonIshed
the others.
How Silas come purity nigh losing
his scalp puts me In mind Of some
thing" observed the deacon to the
great surprise Of all In the room.
He waited q minute for all to settle
back In their chairs and then went on:
Twenty years ago me an Dave Ben
son went up to Wildcat hill to gather
chestnuts. On the way up I told Dave
that we must be careful, as | had a
feeling that something was going to
happen. When we got to the hill We
found chestnuts thicker n feas on a
dog. There was M need Of climbing a
tree. but bimeby Dave said he was go
Ing to do 1t.
Dave, it's dangerous says /.
civilian. l know It, he replies. q
ut was Jest about two minutes
Inter-" said the deacon as he looked
around. that rs
"WhatY' asked every man In chorus.
The deacon had opened his lips to
reply when there was a great shouting
from the street. and all the men In the
room ran out. A mad dog had passed
without biting any one, but the meet
Ing OF the club had beer broken up,
and the rest of the deacon's story must
wait. 1t did wait. For one cause or
another he did not drop into the room
again for three years. Then he found
only four of the original seven that
had heard the first part Of his story.
The quartet were very anxious to hear
the outcome. however. and the deacon
sat down and said:
We'll. there was Dave Benson ND n
tree, and there was me stand
ing on the ground. Dave was a good
climber. but there was my feelings that
something was going to happen. Some
OF you may have had 'em. | kept hol-
lcring up to Dave to be careful for
mercy's sake, and he kept replying that
he would. when
Yes, deacon. When what?'
Lets see. | think Dave had been
married about seven years then. 1t
may have been eight. and it may ave
only six. I don't want to say
II II wasn't but six"
But let that go. Dave Is up a tree"
HE was. | should say he was up
feet. Might have peer Il foot
more or less. ! thought of going back
to measure, but | never did"
But get along to the accident. 1t
don't make no difference whether Dave
thirty-nine or forty feet"
Il told him that 1t would be awful to
fall and break a Leg
Deacon. will you tell us at once
~happened?" interrupted Henry
Clay Smith. one Of the trio.
Il was going to-"
But get to it. them I
Il didn't know there was any hurry l
about 1t. Seems to me- you are lust
to have Dave fall and break his
!
NO, no. no! But, you see. it's three ]
since you started In on this
Il didn't know anybody was pressed
or time. At least | hain't, and I'll !
ave the rest for some other day." 4
Apologies were made and arguments ]
sed, but the deacon's feelings had :.
cen hurt. and he walked off without l.
mother word. In the next three years /
hree of the original seven men died
nd two moved away. leaving only two
woD5eg when they would ever find 4
deacon In the mood to finish that !:
tory. Dave Benson had moved to \
long before the first part of 1t /,
as told. and so he couldn't be ap N
to to finish it. !
One day n summons came to the two l..
irvivors that Deacon Strathers lay \
wing of fever and wanted to see them \,
afore the sud came. Together they II
rove out tv CAV sarm. He was not j
NY conscious, buy. III bad been prop J
ID up In bed and given q stimulant n
at he might talk. Z
Boys" he said, after he had offered \
a greeting hand, six years 6 y
~ WI , btNh III L Stufkc1 III " -
Il you n story" n
Yes, Deacon"
never finished it 4
mo, and don't try to now"
But l must. | feel owe it to you. }
ID l want to go with a clear con. J
Dave Benson and me was I
ter chestnuts." N
You were" IN
He climbed a tree" Y
so you said" !
4 tried to stop him, but up he went"
Yes"
And | was hollering at him to be
reful for mercy's sake. when some y
ing happened" =
And what happened? We have beer I
,ndering for years"
why, Dave said he guessed he'd
NE down." n