Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1912-10-03


only nationally. but with clear
ness and force. Vulgar he was,
and, as such, uninviting and often
repulsive; still his early education
partook OF that popularity OF
New England which, il il does not
make her children absolutely all
they are apt to believe them
selves to be, seldom leaves them
in the darkness OF a besotted
Ignorance.
AS usually happens with this
particular race, Gershom had ac-
CURED good deal for a man or
his class in life, and this infor-
nation, added to native shrewd-
ness, enabled him to maintain his
place in the dialogue with GER
tain degree of credit. He had
very lively perception-fancied or
real-of all the advantages OF be-
ing born in the land of the Pur-
itans, deeming everything that
came of the great killarney Stone"
superior to everything else of the
same nature elsewhere; and, while
much disposed to sneer and rail
at all other parts of the country,
just as much indisposed to stake"
as disposed to 1give." Ben Boden
soon detected this weakness in his
companions character. Weak
ness SO very general as
scarce to need being pointed out
to any observant man, and which
is almost inseparable from half
way intelligence and provincial
self-admiration; and Ben was
rather inclined to play on it when
ever Gershom laid himself little
more open than common on the
subject.
On the whole, however, com-
munications were amicable; and
the dangers of the wilderness
rendering the parties allies. they
went their way with an increas-
ing confidence in each others sup
port. Gershom, now that he was
thoroughly sober, could impart
much to Ben that was useful:
while Ben knew great deal that
evne his companion, coming as he
he did from the chosen people.
was not sorry to learn.
I'M
The history of Gershom Waring
was one of everyday occurrence
he Was born of family in
humble circumstances in Mas
sachusetts, a community in which,
however, none are SO very hum
bic as to be beneath the paternal
watchfulness Of the state. The
common schools had done their
duty by him; while, according to
his account of the matter, his only
sister had fallen into the hands
OF female relative, who was en-
abled to impart an instruction
slightly superior to that which is
to be had from the servants OF
the public.
After time, the death of this
relative, and the marriage of Ger
shom, brought the brother and
sister together again, the last still
quite young. From this period the
migratory life of the family COM
menced. Previously to the estab-
lishment of manufactures within
her limits, New England systemat-
ically gave forth her increase to
the states west and south of her
own territories. A portion of this
increase still migrates, and will
probably long continue so to do (:
but the tide of young women,
which once flowed SO steadily from
that region, would now seem to
have turned, and is setting back
in flood of "factory-girls." But
the Warnings lived at too early a
day to feel the influence of such
pass of civilization, and went
West, almost as matter of
course.
With the commencement of his
life, Gershom began to
dissipate," as it has got to be
matter of convention to term
drinking"
Such is an outline of the ac-
count which Whiskey Centre gave
Of himself. 1t was very evident
20 the bee-hunter that the plans
Of both parties for the summer
were about to be seriously de-
'anged by the impending hosti,i-
les, and that some decided move
nent might be rendered necessary
wen for the protection of their
ives.
This much he communicated TO
iershom, who heard his opinions
With interest, and a concern in be-
lalf of his wife and sister that at .
east did some credit to his heart.
"lt's troublesome times" ex-
Il