Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-07

ing after IT fell to his share. so he was
glad TO give It to me-"
Where did he get it?''
His tribe took II from some prisoners
| they killed"
was running blindly around in a circle
| TO find relief from the news he dealt me.
when the absurdity of such news over
| took me. / stood and laughed.
who were the prisoners?"
II don't know" answered Johnny APP
| pleseed.
How do you know the Indians killed
| them?"
"The one that gave me this book told
me So
There are plenty OF psdlocked books in
the world" l said jauntily. AT least
there must be more than one. How long
| ago did II happen?"
Not very long ago. I think; for the
"Give It to me-" said as IL cursed
him
ITS a sacred book" he answered. hesi-
| tating.
Maybe it's sacred. Let me see."
There may be holy mysteries in 1t, to
be read only of him who has the key"
| IT have a key!"
| took II out OF the snuffbox. Johnny
| Appleseed fixed his rapt eyes on the little
object in my fingers.
| MeDDy you are the one appointed TO
| open and read what Is sealed!'
mo, I'm mott How could my key fit
| padlocked book that belonged to prisoners
| killed by the Indians?"
He held II out to me and I took hold
Of the paddock. 1t was a small steel pad
| lock. and the hole looked dangerously
| the size of my key.
"I can't do it!' 1 said.
| Let me try" said Johnny Appleseed.
| mol You might break my key in a
strange padlockl Hold 1t still, Johnny.
| Please don't shake IT,"
| I'm not shaking IT," Johnny Apple
seed answered tenderly.
There's only one way of proving that
my key doesn't fit,' / said, and thrust
1t in. The ward turned easily, and the
paddock came away In my hand. / drop
ped it and opened the book. Within the
lid a name was written which had
copied a thousand times-"Eagle Made
lelne Marie de Ferrier."
Still did not believe 1t. Nature pro-
tects us In our uttermost losses by a
density through which conviction is slow
to penetrate. In some mysterious way
strange hands, and had been carried to
America.
"If Eagle we're in America, should
know II. For De Chaumont would know
It, and Skenedonk would find 1t out"
l stopped for the paddock, hooked 1t IN
rs the message to you alone?" inquired
Johnny Appleseed.
Ibid you ever care for a woman?" 1
asked him.
Restless misery came into his eyes, and
! noticed, for the first time. that he was
not an old man; he could not have been
above 35 He made no answer; shifting
from one bare foot to the other, his body
settling and losing its Indian lightness.
"a woman gave me the key to this book
Her name is written inside the lid.
was to read 1t II It ever fell into my
hands, after a number of years. Some-
body has stolen II and carried II among
the Indians. But it's mine. Every shill-
ing in my wallet, the clothes off my back
your welcome to"
"I don't want your money or your
Clothes"
But let me give you something In ex-
change for It,"
what do need7 always have as
much as / want. This is a serviceable
coat. as good as any man need wish for.
| and the ravens feed me. And IL / needed
anything, could i take II for carrying a
message? carry good tidings OF great
Joy among the people all tine time. This
is yours. Put II in your pocket"
hid the padlocked book IN the breast
of my coat and seized his wrist and his
hand.
BE of good courage. white double
man." said Johnny Appleseed '"The
Lord lift up the light of His countenance
upon you. the Lord make His face TO
shine upon you and give you peacer'
He returned to his side OF the fire and
stretched himself under the stars. and 1
went to croghan's quarters and lay
down. with my clothes on. In the bunk
assigned to me.
The book which would nave rent open
at 20. / now carried pnsealed. The sus-
pense OF It was so sweet and drew my
thoughts from the other suspense which
could not be endured. II was not likely
that any person about Mont-Louls had
stolen the book and wandered 80 far,
small as the volume was the boards
indented my breast and made me In
creasinEiy conscious OF its presence.
walked IN the night and held II.
Next morning Johnny Appleseed was
gone from the fort. unafraid- OF war. bent
only, on carrying the apple OF civilization
into the wilderness. Nobody spoke about
, hls absence, for shells 5egun to fall
around us. The British and Indians were
In sight; and General Proctor sent flag
of truce demanding surrender
! Major croshan's ensign approached the
, messenger with nag In reply
The women gathered their children as
chickens under shelter. All In the fort
we're cheerful. and the men joked with
: the Buah Of humor which danger starts
In Americans.
saw then the ready laugh that faced
| In its season what was called Indian
2 summer. because the indian took then an.
! vantage Of the last pleasant weather 70
make raids. Such pioneers could speak
lightly even of powwowing time-the nfsI
pleasant February days when sayages
held sonnoiis before descending on the
/ ! settlements.
Major crokhau ana watched the par.
ley from one Of the blockhousea that has,
toned the place. Before lf ended. : sha.
Wanoe spIan9 cat of : ravIne and
} ! snalched the enaiEne sword He fase 4
back Feluetantl<. ead he bfllIsA a4k.