The Glenwood post., 1922-04-13

years of separation was told as they
rode along. Biggs had been killed in
n drunken brawl at Alton. Davis had
gone to the far West-a thoroughly
discredited man. Henry Brimstead
had got his new plow on the market
and was prospering beyond all his
hopes. Eli had become a merchant
of unusual ability and vision. His
square dealing and good sense had
done much to break down prejudice
against the Jews in the democracy of
the West. Samson Traylor vas get
ting wealth and a reputation for good
sense. He had made the plan on
which the business had developed. He
had proved himself a wise and far
seeing man. Sarah's friends had been
out in Springfield for visit They
had invested money in the business
Her brother had decided TO bring his
family West and settle in Sangamon
county.
Agents of the store We're travelling
in Wisconsin, Illinois ana Indiana
selling its goods to countrg dealers.
They carried with them lie progress
i've and enlightened spirit Of the city
and the news. Everywhere they in
sisted upon a high standard of hon
esty in business. A man who had no
respect for his contract was struck
off the list. They spread the every
day religion Of the counting room.
They were a welcome unifying and
civilizing force in the middle country.
The lovers stopped in grove at
noon and fed their horses and Harry
built a fire and made broach of
green sticks on which he broiled beef
steak
A letter from Harry to Sarah Tray
lor tells of the beauty of the day.
ut was my greet day of fulflllment,
all the dearer because 1 had come back
TO health and youth and beloved scenes
out of those years shadowed with
loneliness and despair" he writes.
The best part of it, assure you,
was the face l loved and that musical
voice ringing like bell in merry
laughter and in the songs which had
stirred my heart in the days Of its
tender youth. You-the dear and gen.
tie mother of my later bOyhood-are
entitled to know of my happiness when
| heard that voice tell me in its sweet
er tone of the love which has endured
through all these years of stern trial.
We talked of our plans as we sat
among the ferns and MOSES In the
cool shade sweetened by the incense
of burning fagots. over that repast to
which we shall be returning often for
refreshment in poorer days. We had
thought of you and of the man so
well beloved of you and us in all these
plans. We shall live in Springfield
so that we may be near you and him
and our friend, Honest Abe"
1t is long letter presenting minute
details In the history of that senti-
mental journey and alluSion to mat
ters which have no part in this record.
Its substance being fully in the con-
sciousness of the writer, he tenderly
folds 1t up and returns 1t to the pack
age-yellow and brittle and faded and
having that curious fragrance of pa
pers that have lain for scores Of years
in the gloom and silence of locked
mahogany, drawer. So alive are these
letters with the passion of youth in
long forgotten years that the writer
Ties the old ribbon and returns them
to their tomb with feeling Of sad
ness, finding n singular pathos In the
contrast Of their look and their con-
tents They are turning to dust, but
the soul Of them has gone into this
little history.