Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-05-23
The Light IN
the CLEARING
By IRVING BACHELLER
Copyright 1917 The Bobbs-Merr11 Co.

heard the cries Of the hen ana
through the orchard and witnas.sa91
the end OF the tragedy and -
Away down in the meadow 7 ~.
the dog and farther way "tbe ma 1s1
boy, as We then called him. M ms
ming toward his home. The doe ~ -,
run away as I approached a aai
when / picked up the lifeless ~
OF my little friend the hills seen,
10 lift up their heads and fan ~.
me. OF course that Wills how ksa
set the dog on her. I shall W.
no more Of that hour Of trial So
little things make history, and n /,
necessary that the reader shoni9
understand me.
One June day Of the next sr,,
mer Uncle Peabody and I f..
down in the field, saw a fine car
riage drive in at our gate. p.
stopped ond looked intently.
Jerusalem four-cornersl he o.
claimed. IT'S Mr.. and Mrs. Hors-.
Dunkelberg.
My heart beat fast at thought 4,
the legendary Dunkelbergs. Incl
looked me over from top to toa
"Heavensi" he exclaimed. a.
down to the brook and wash tbs
mud off yer feet an legs"
ran for the brook and before
had returned to my uncle I heard
the horn blow.
The Dunkelbergsl-the Dunkel.
bergs. Come quick" it seemed IA
say.
Uncle had tied a red handker.
chief around his neck and was re-
adjusting his galluses when re.
turned. In silence we hurried Ia
the house. AS we drew near
heard the voice OF Mrs. Horace
Dunkelberg and that Of anothe,
woman quite as STANCE TO my ear
"a high-pitched voice Of melting
amiability.- 1t was the COMPANY
voice of my Aunt Deel. I had OBJ
served just a faint suggestion Of Il
when the neighbor came, or when
meeting was over, but I had never
before heard the full-fedged ange.
Iicity of her company voice. L
astonished me and l began to re-
gard her as a very promising old
lady. Uncle Peabody, himself, had
a change in the pres
ence of the Dunkelbergs. He held
his neck straighter and smiled
more and spoke with greater DELHI
GRAFTON.
Mr.. Dunkelberg was a big, broad
shouldered. solemn-looking man.
Somehow his face reminded me o.
a lions which I had seen in one Of
my picture books. He had a thick,
long, outstanding IHustache and
side whiskeTs, and deep-set eyes
and heavy eyebrows. He stood for
half a moment looking down at me
from a great height with his right
hand in his pocket. l heard lit
tie jingle of coins down where his
hand was. 1t excited my curiosity
He took a step toward me and I
retreated. I feared, a little, this
big, lion-like man. My fears left
me suddenly when he spoke in a
small squeaky voice that reminded
me of the chirping of a bird.
Little boy, come here and I will
give you a present" said he.
1t reminded me of my disappoint-
ment when uncle tried to shoot his
gun at a squirrel and only the cap
cracked.
/ went to him and he laid sill
yer piece in the palm of my hand.
Aunt Deel began to hurry about
getting dinner ready while Uncle
Peabody and l sat down on the
porch with our guests, among
whom was a pretty blue-eyed girl
Of about my own age, with long
golden-brown hair that hung in
curls.
sally, this is Barton Baynes-
cant you shake hands with him.?
said Mrs. Dunkelberg.
With a smile the girl came for
ward and offered me her hand and
made a funny bow and said that she
was glad to see me. I took her
hand awkwardlv and made no re-
ply. l had never seen many girls
and had no very high opinion Of
them.