Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-05-11
HE HAS HEARD
BY GRACE r. oLIN.

Beautiful. amt they. Hiram" The
scOwl between Mr.. Thomas Graham's
eyes disappeared for the moment.
Wonderful, amt it now, how these
come TO life again In the springtimer
He patted the flower box, fragrant
with bright blossoms, as he spoke.
They are lovely. Tom; lovely in
deed" the other man answered. lie
came quite close and put his hand on
Graham's shoulder, studying him for
moment from under his bushy
brOws.
You're coming TO church tomorrow,
aren't YOU, Tomg" he asked, abruptly.
Instantly the frOwn returned TO the
other mans face; he drew back bit
stiffiy. angrily.
"No." he answered, steadily. Il
amt"
and. what's more" he continued
ats no use 10 keep asking me, anu
asking me. because I'm never going
again. I'm always glad 10 see you.
Hiram. but when you come as Dea-
con Hiram Brown. pass this house
up. will you, and I'll be obliged TO
your"
TON. you've got TO listen TO me for
second. l ought 10 be mad at you,
but I'm not. We all ought 10 be mad
at you. but we're not But I'm going
to tell you something the rest of them
are afraid 10 tell you.
you've turned sour, Tom, sour
Trouble has visited your household
and you've gone down under il. Why,
don't you know that trouble has come
TO us an I'm the little village and we've
had 10 bear itT
You're not the only one. who has
a boy asleep somewhere In France
Shame on you. Tom Graham; you re-
joIce because your plants, seemingly
/ dead. are alive. and you won't apply
the same truth 10 your boy" The
gate beneath the mans hand swung
open softly as he turned TO go, but
again he paused.
Tom" he added, earnestly, do you
remember when the boys were kids
and when Easter morning came their
I shining faces In the choirl Do you
remember the lump that came in our
| threats as they sang? He's singing In
"A choir today, your boy, and my boy.
Don't let bitterness keep you away
I from Gods house, Tom" The gate
clicked after him.
III you are connhs tomorrow, call
h,c up. Tom; we want an extra usher.
Don't let your wife come alone
He passed his hand YEARLY across
mis- forehead. As II for the first time
he saw the gentle patient figure of
a woman, the boys mother, as she
went serenely about her daily tasks.
Why, only this morning she had told
l him.
TON, you'll be coming TO church
with me tomorrow morning, it's
Easter. dear"
And he had answered a bit less
I grufTly than he had answered Hiram:
"rm not agoing, Lizzie; 1t isn't
/ Easter 10 me-
And the woman answered gently:
"Some day. dear, when you feel
that you are strong enough, read the
/ lads last letter. You have never felt
that you could do so. Some day you
WILL and when that time comes. you
viii find II under the Bible"
He arose suddenly and entered the
I house.
Lizzie" he called. gently, but no
I answer came save the tick of the
great clock on the wall. Lizzie" he
called again. and then stopped short
I on the threshold. In low rocker by
the window sat a woman.
The mans great hand closed over
her frall little one as silently he took
the letter from her fond clasp, and
he read:
Dearest Mother and Dad-Easter
/ day IN the trenches. And some OF
the boys were singing, and 1t made me
think of home. and those Casters long
ago when we all got up so early in
the morning. And you. Mother.
scrubbed my face and ears till they
l actually shone. can see your hat,
4 bright with flowers. and Dads smil-
ing face rs he ushered the people.
But OH Mother. most OF all can
I hear the anthem we sang, TOT bN
strange coincidence that's what the
boys were singing this morning.
7 Awake. thou that sleepest.'
"a bit Of n solemn thought per-
haps for me. but ! thought of the
long rows of crosses, and i said 10
myself. I know the fellows lying
asleep have heard that anthem and
they are awake. indeed
"And so. dear folks, II I should
never come back. say II shouldn't
az Easter time when you go TO the
( service and they sing the dear old
I anthem. smile and say 10 yourselves,
I Tom heard the message for ! shall.
I Mother. / shall"
The letter fell from the mans
trembling fingers.