The Holly chieftain., 1919-02-27

could open 1t and read the messasN
of which l had thought much and
with a growing interest.
rose and said that should like to
60 to my room. Mr.. Hacket lighted
a candle and took me upstairs to q
little room where my chest had been
deposited. There were in the room n
bed. a chair. a portrait of Napoleon
Bonaparte and q small table on which
wee dictionary. Bible and num-
ber of schoolbooks.
''These were Mary's books" said Mr..
Hacket. Il told your uncle that 70
could use them an welcome"
sat down and opened the sealed
envelope with trembling hands and
found in 1t this brief note:
"Dear Partner: want you to ask
the wisest man you know to explain
these words to you. l suggest that
often of their meaning. They are from
Job:
ellis bones are full Of the sins Of
his youth. which shall lie down with
him In the dust
'T believe that they are the most
Impressive in all the literature have
read.
"Yours truly.
"SILAS WRIGHT, JR."
read the words over and over
again. but knew not their meaning
Sadly and slowly got ready for bed.
The noises Of the village challenged
my ear after had put out my candle.
There were many barking dogs. Some
horsemen passed. with creaking of
saddle leather. followed by wagon.
Soon heard running feet and eager
voices. rose and looked out Of the
open window. Men were hurrying
down the street with lanterns.
"He's the son o Ben Grimshaw," I
heard one of them saying. "They
caught him back In the south woods
yesterday. The sheriff said that he
tried to run away when he saw 'em
coming"
What was the meaning Of thisf
What had Amos Grimshaw been do
ing? l trembled as got back into
bed cannot even now explain why,
but long ago gave up trying to
fathom the depths Of the human
spirit with an infinite sea beneath It
crossed by subtle tides and currents.
We see only the straws on the surface.
was up at daylight and Mr.. Hacket
came to my door while was dressing.
"A merry day to you!" he exclaimed.
"I'll await you below and introduce
you to the humble herds and f1ocks Of
a schoolmaster."
I went with MIN while he fed his
chickens and two small shotes.
milked the COW for him. and together
| we drove her back to the pasture.
Then we split some wood and filled the
boxes by the fireplace and the kitchen
stove and raked up the leaves In the
dooryard and wheeled them away.
"Now you know the duties o your
Office" said the schoolmaster as we
went in to breakfast.
We sat down at the table with the
family and drew out my letter from
the senator and gave 1t to Mr.. Hacket
to read.
"The senatori God prosper himl I
heard that he came on the Plattsburg
stage last night" he said as he began
the reading-an announcement which
caused me and the children to clap
our hands with Joy.
Mr.. Hacket thoughtfully repeated
the words from Job with most Inn
pressive intonation.
He passed the letter back to me and
said:
"All true! have seen 1t sinking
into the bones O. the young and have
seen it lying down with the aged In
the dust O. their graves. It Is big
book-the one we are now opening
God help us! It has more pages than
all the days O your life. Just think
o. your body. A brave and tender
youth 1t Is like sponge. How It
takes things In an holds 'em an feeds
upon 'eml A part O every apple ye
l eat sinks down into yer blood an
bones. Ye can't get 1t out. It's the
same way with the books ye read an
the thoughts We enjoy. They go down
into yer bones an We can't get 'eln out.
That's why like to think o. Michael
Henry. His food is good thoughts and
his wine Is laughter. I had long
visit with NJ. H. last night when ye
were all in bed. His face was chunk
o. laughter. Oh, what limb he Is!
wish / could tell We all the good
things he said"
| IL