The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-08-08
CHAPTER ..
Dreams.


that lies between sleep and waking,
tasting the fieeting SAVIOR of his dreams
the epic visions of full-blooded youth.
They had passed just beyond memory,
leaving a confused yet glowing sense
OF sharp combats waged, of victories
won. A golden haze enveloped him.
Through 1t filtered a dwindling reso-
nance, as Of some noble professional
sung by departing far-distant choir.
A wave of delight rippled over him.
Then the thought that, not sharing his
slumber, had painted his colorful
dreams, worked to the surface.
MY last day here!"
He awoke slowly. Before him, seen
through the unshuttered window, lay a
world somber enough to one tugging
against its restraints. lovely when it
was to be left behind. He saw the
September sun peep over the hills at
the head of the valley, rise majestic
ally and swing clear, a golden disk
hung In the sky. symbol of the reward
OF mems struggles; its radiance,
streaming into the little room, dis
PEELED shabbiness with a mellow glow
he could almost feel. The matin
sounds arose, according finely with the
lingering echoes of his dream music.
He reveled In q new perception.
He was twenty years old.
He was not one to loll He sprang
from bed and stood naked; supple
beautiful youth, too slender for great
strength but with the unconscious
grace Of the wild animal.
He dressed and stood by the window
In the attitude of listener. Intently
he sought to define the faint other
world resonance that still seemed to
vibrate about him. But the theme
eluded him.
His illusion was effectually shat
tered. Into the subdued melody of the
Sabbath morning thrust a profane in
truder, the jerky wheeling notes of q
cabinet organ in the days hymns,
played by some one who aspired be-
yond endowment.
He frowned. then threw back his
head and laughed silently-a trick he
had sometimes-at the absurd anti
climax.
I'm still in Bethel. It's a long way
from here to-there." He drew a long
deep breath.
A question halted him. There
where?"
He shook his head vigorously, a.
though to throw OF the query. and
went down to the kitchen.
The odor Of frying ham saluted his
nostrils: he shifted 1t hungrily. A man,
apparently old. was placing heavy,
Clipped ironware dishes on the table.
He nodded briefly in response to the
youths blithe greeting.
I'll be ready" he said In a dull nat
voice. time ye're back from the
stable" and continued his slow precise
setting Of the table.
In q few minutes the other returned,
the horses fed and his own hands and
face scrubbed in cold water from the
cistern. They sat down without speak.
ing. The youth ate eagerly, gulpingly.
When the first keenness of appetite
was gone, burning to talk of the great
hour at hand, he broke the silence.
We'll. father. this Is my last day in
Bethel"
The old man merely nodded. keeping
his eyes on his plate.
Boyishly the son began to set forth
his plans and hopes and expectations !:
they were not small. But the old man
maintained his silence. The youth con.
ceived him to be an unsympathetic au-
dience.
Guess you're not interested" he
said trine sulkily.
Yes, I'm interested, Mark" the IA.
Their answered. but there amt any.
thing to say" He raised his glance TO
the window. Guess couldn't say
anything thatd help much"
The sweep Of the youths anticipa,
ton faltered before quality in the
old mans words. Old, "old Simon: /"
30 his neighbors called him. Yet he
was not really old, but IN the MONDAY
OF life wore the gray mantle of age
For he, too, had dreamed his big gold
pn dreams. Below the village stood 9
dismantled rotting forge, monumen,
to their futility. After his failure he
had returned to his shop and trade
shoeing his neighbors' horses, mend
ing their wagons and plows, a dull
eyed. taciturn. spiritless plodder.
Simon Truitt rose and began tc
clear the table. The son moved toward
the door. There he paused, vaguely
sensible of q sorrow to which some
soothing word was to be said. But
the word would not come to lips un
schooled In such tender ONCE. He went
slowly out into the sunshine.
In the stable he curried the horses
lingering over the pretty brown mare
--latest and finest trophy of his horse
trading until her coat shone satiny
This labor Of love ended. he lighted {
pipe and sat In the stable doorway.
He sat there until nom across the
town came . nat unmusfcal clamor
the cracked church bell calling the
faithful- that 10 to say. Ill Bethel save
oos--to wonhip. He ross reluctantly
Soon he smerssd nom the little house
shaved b the blood and olad In the dis
comfUst - sunday clothes.
Always On warm oahba&A moeninsu
olnea fru1tt vas b - Ipunl slttsna
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