The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-06-27

the denser swamp Afforded when he
suddenly lodged sidcwise. The cud-
gel whistled sharply through tho air
and Frecklcs sprang back.
Out OF the clear sky above him, frst
level with his face, then skimniing.
dipping, fitting. whlrling until 10 lit
quill down I'm the path in front OF
him, came n glossy. iridescent big
black feather. As II struck tho
ground Freckles snatched II up and
with an almost continuous movement
faced the sky. There was not tree
OF any size IN n large open space.
From the clear sky II had fallen, and
Freckles, gazing eagerly into the arch
OF June blue with few lazy clouds
f,oating far up in the sea OF ether,
had neither mind nor knowledge to
dream Of a bird hanging Us n frozen
there. lie turned the big quill ques-
tioningly, and again his awcd eyes
swept the sky. \,
"a feather dropped from heavef
he brcathed reverently. Are the holy
angels moltingf But, no; II they were
~ would be white. Maybe all the an
gels are not for being white. WhatU
the angels OF God are white and
of the devil are black1 But n blHk
one has no business up there. Maybe
some poor black angel IL so tired OF be-
ing punished It's for slipping up to the
gates, beating its wings trying TO
make the Master hearr'
Again and again Freckles searched
the sky. but there was no answering
CLEAN Of golden gates, no form OF sail
ing bird. Then he went slowly on his
way. turning the feather over and
wondering about It. It was a wing
Quill eighteen inches In length. with q
big. heavy spine. gray at the base,
shading TO ,et black at the tip. and 10
caught the vsay Of the suns rays In
slanting CLEANS Of green and bronze.
Again Freckles' "old man Of the sea"
sat sullen and heavy on his shoulders
and weighted him down until his step
Jagged and bis heart ached.
where did II como FRONT What
is TT oh, how I wish 4 knewr' he
kept repeating.
Before him spread a great green
pool, filed with rotting logs and
leaves. bordered with delicate ferns
and grasses. among which lifted the
creamy spikes Of tho arrowhead, the
blue OF water hyacinth and the deli.
cate yellow Of the jewel flower. As
Freckles leaned. handling the feather
and staring FIRST at II and then into
the depths OF the pool. he once more
gave voice 10 his old query. IL won.
der what Il isr'
Straight across from him, couched
In the mosses Of soggy old log. big
green bullfrog. with palpitant throat
and batting eyes. lifted his head and
beloved In answer. Fin dout In
doutr'
"wha. what's thatr' stammered
Freckles. almost too much taken aback
TO speak. IL know you are only
bullfrog: but. DO jabers. that sound.
ed nightly like speech. Wouldn't you
please to be saying IL overf"
The bullfrog cuddled contentedly In
the ooze. Then suddenly he lifted his
voice and, like an imperative drum
beat, rolled IL again, Fin dout In
dout. I'm dout!'
Freckles had the answer.
Like the lightning's fash. something
seemed 10 snap In his brain. There
was n wavering fame before his eyes.
Then his mind cleared. His head lift.
ed In n new poise. his shoulders squar.
ed, and his spine Strengthened. The
agony was over. His soul hoated free.
Freckles came into his birthright,
Before God. I willV' He uttered the
oath SO impressively that the record
ing angel never WINGED as he posted II
up In the prayer column.
Freckles set his hat over the top OF
one OF the locust posts used between
trees 10 hold up the wire and fastened
the feather securely in the band. Then
he started down the line. talking TO
himself as men that have worked long
alone always fall into the habit OF do
ing.
"what a fool I have beenr' be nut.
tered "Of course that's what I have
70 do. There wouldn't likely anybody
be doing Il for me. or course ! cam
What am man for1 II was
four footed thing OF the swamp maybe
I couldn't. but n man can do anything
II he's the grit 10 work hard enough
and stick at II. Mr.. Mclean is always
saying and here's the way | am tq.l
II. lie said, too. that there were
pie that knew everything In mt
swamp. or course they have written
books. The thing for me TO be doing
IL to quit mopIng and be buying me
some books Never bought a book IN
me life or anything else of much ac'
count. for that natter. oh. amt !
glad I didn't waste me money! III
surely be having enough to get few
Let me see"
1Cnnttnuad na,t mail 4