The Jasper news., 1921-12-01
COpyHsht Irving BaehsIlsr
CHAPTER xx-contlnued.


-
They had a happy half-hour at the
table, Mrs. Brimstead being in better
spirits since her husband had got back
TO his farming. Annabel, her form
nlling with the grace and charm Of
womaRhood, was there and more
comely than ever.
They had been speaking of Jnck
Kelso's death.
II heard him soy once that when
he saw beautiful young face It re-
minded him Of noble singing and the
door or growing corn" said Samson.
I'D rather see the face" Joe re-
marked, whereupon they all laughed
and the boy blushed to the roots of
his blond hair.
Hes become man Of good judg-
ment," said Brimstead.
Annabels sister Jane, who had
chung to the wagon In No Santa Claus
Land, was bright-eyed, merry
hearted girl of twelve. The boy Rob-
ert was shy, good-looking lad little
older than Josiah
swell, what's the newsr Samson
asked.
"Nothln' has happened since we
saw you but the fall of El Dorado"
Brimstead answered.
There was the robbery Of the mail
stage last summer n few miles north
OF here" said Mrs. Brlmstead. Every
smitch Of the mail was stolen.
guess that's the reason we haven't had
no letter from Vermont in a year."
Maybe that's why we haven't
heard from home" Samson echoed.
'Why don't you leave Joe here
while you're gone to Chlcagor Anna
bel asked.
ut would help his education to
rassle around with Robert an the
girls" said Brimstead.
would you like to stay?" Samson
asked.
II wouldn't mind" said Josiah who,
on the lonely prairie. Ind had few
companions Of his own age.
So It happened that Samson went
on alone. Near the sycamore woods
he came upon a gray-haired man lying
by the roadside with horse tethered
near him. The stranger was sick with
fever. Samson got down from his
horse.
"What can 1 do for your" he asked.
"The will of God" the stranger
feebly answered. 81 prayed forehelp
and you have come. l am Peter Cart
wright, the preacher. i was so sick
and weak had to get off my horse
and lie down. II you had not come
think that / should have died here"
Samson gave him some of the medi-
cine for chills and fever which he al
ways carried In his pocket. and water
from his canteen.
as there any house where l could
ind help and shelter for your he
asked presently.
"No, but ] feel better-glory to
God |" said the preacher. III you can
help me to the back of my horse | viii
try to ride on with you. There Is to
be a quarterly meeting ten miles up
the road tonight. Nothing shall keep
me from my duty. may save a dozen
souls from heil-who knows7"
Samson was astonished Of the iron
will and holy zeal of this lron-hearted.
strong-armed, fighting preacher Of the
prairies of whom he had heard much.
He lifted him and set him on the back
OF his horse.
"God blessed you with reat
strength" said the latter. Are you a
Christianf
II am"
Thew rode on in silence. Presently
samson observed that the preacher
was actually asleep and snoring IN
the saddle. They proceeded for an
hour or more in this manner. When
the horses were wallowing through a
swale the preacher awoke.
"Glory be to Godl" he shouted. 81
am better. ! shall be able to preach
tonight. A little farther on Is the
cabin Of Brother Cawzins He has
been terribly pecked up by stir-
necked, rebeliious wife. Wen stop
there for cup Of tea and If she raises
rumpus you'll see me take her by
the horns"
Mrs. Cawkins was lean. sallow,
stern-faced woman of some forty
years with q face like bitter herbs
her husband mildmannered, shIftless
man who. encouraged by Mr.. Cart
wright, had taken 70 riding through
the upper counties as preachers-a
course OF conduct OF which his wife
heartily dlsapproged. Solicited by her
husband lhe BuIlenly male tea for the