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About The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 1888)
Silt HOLIDAY SUPPLEMENT. Y ii CHRISTMAS is h?rc; Winds whistle uhrill. Icy and chill. LitUo care we; I jrtls wo fear Weather with out. Sheltered about Too mahogany tree. Thackeray. "LONG AFORE I KNOW ED." BY JAMES WHTTCOMB RILEY. This delicious cem of the Iloosier poet is here presented, with due apologies to Judge, which first printed it: Jes' a little bit o' feffer I remember atill Cst to almost cry fer Christmaa, like a youngster will Fourth o" Julys nothin' to It! Xow Year's ain't mell ! Casrer Siindav CSrens day Jes' all dead In the shell! Lordy. though : at night, you know, to set around and hear The old folfes work the story off about the sledge and deor, And 'Santy" siootin" round the roof, all wrapped In fur and faz Long afore I knowed who "Santy Clans" wuz! Cst to wait, end set up later a week er two ahead: Couldn't hardly keep awake, ner wouldn't go to bed; Kittle stew in on the Are, and Mother settin" near Darn in" socio and roc kin' in the skreeky rocking cher: Pep gapJ, and wonder where It wuz the money went. And -qucr l with his frosted heels, and spill his liniment: And we a-dreamin" sleigh bells when the clock ud whir and buzz . Lonj afore I knowed who "Santy Clans" wuz! Size the fireplace, and fisher how "Old Santy could Hanaee to come down the chimbly, like they said he would: vWisht that I could hide and see him wondered what he'd say Ef be ketched a feller layfn' fer him thataways? But I bet on him. and liked him. same as ef he had Turned to pat me on the back and say, "Look a here, my lad: Here's my pack jes he'p yourse l like all good boys does:" Ixmg afore I knowed who "Santa Claus" wuz. Wisht that yarn wuz true about him as it peared "-s. to be Truth made out o lies like that-uns good enough erme. Wisht I still wuz so confldin I could Jes' po wild Over bangle' tp my stockin's like the little child Cfimbin' in my U.'o-night, and bepsin me to tell "Bout them reindeers, and "Old Santy that she loves so well; x I'm half sorry for this litOe-eirl-sweetheart of his Xjong afore She knows who "Santy Claus la I '!& vx&-b sot ttvtttc, fijr5 sot ntedt, (n5 j?f6nfgc of f cfa-g t$ttxu 6f6efrtcn5 lre'ff mutt QSCni itf9 an& faffj? tpcctte, jtor Xma.3 noiu U f ctc. 9 ..c- - . - ... " 3 VN Tf v f J -57 V 1IIL1.SF0KDS UKUMIT. CHRISTMAS 6TORY, NOT AFTER TBS REGCXATIOX TPATTERX. 7c i r T .STprT?rl a nMllr 1MU village on a river as pure as truth, in the heart of the Iresquissus valley, with mountains walling it in north and south. At the time I write of it had all the requisites of a thriving town, including a population which dripped with self satisfaction. This very comfortable commodity was bo dense and universal that it fairly cov ered the place like a fog. Hillsford's most remarkable citizen was j a hermit, an unkempt and eccentric in- j dividual, who lived in a cabin high up ( on the North mountain, and was known j as "Old Weaver." In winter, when the i foliage was less abundant, his email ! dwelling could be eeen from the village, '; a Little speck of crude architecture, the j smoke from which curled sometimes into the very sky. It was pointed out to vi3- ' itors, who were told, without loss of : time, of the hermit, his civilization defy- ' ing habits and unspeakable appearance, j But it was difficult to exhibit the man , himself. He came down to the village ! at infrequent intervals ami then tarried , only long enough to procure some simple necessities and departed without holding j speech with any one. The townspeople j had tried to break into the privacy of his j home without avail. They had leen re- ; pulsed with looks and gestures which j inspired fear and helped to conlirm the i opinion that '-Old Weaver waa crazy and j had better bo let alone." j And surelv no man in his right mind : could live the life he lived. IIL hair and whiskers showed no respect for the pro vailing fashion in hirsute trimming, and his clothes were a slap at all decent gar ments. He rarelv spoke at all, but when he did his words were briefness itself. In summer thev who went near his cabin sometimes found him sitting out- t side reading the Uible, an occupation ; j from which they could not easily divert j ! him. I A ms causeu some to ucciuo mat ne was 'a religious crank," and helped to dissipate the theory that he had com mitted some terrible crime. Hillsford was full of wonder about the hermit's past life and antecedents, but as there was absolutely no way of rinding out it ! was obliged to remain in cruel ignorance. All it knew about him was that several , years before the time I speak of he had : arrived in the village, purchaoed a piece of land on the top of the mountain, reared a cabin and begun a life of solitude perfectly incomprehensible to the people of the valley. At last they mostly settled down to the belief that "Old Weaver had been crossed in love." Everybody knew that , love, if it did not run 6moothly, could j upset people completely. This gave him exceptional interest in the eyes of the I younjj and sentimental, although the J most tnscginative among them could not picture him as having ever been a per 1 eonage capable of inspiring the divine lunacy. Never were they fully sensible of his value as a romantic figure until after he had been "written up" for a New York journal. A newspaper correspondent, I on his summer vacation, wandered into ! Hillsford. and, of course, soon heard ' about the hermit, since he was all there , was outside of the usual and un interest ! column and a lialf of Bbk'7Z,areil I mostly speculation, tinged Vitb. etnti : xnent, about tho curious recJu ! Thi3 had a good result. V."! tho old man in tho minda of tVMS1 iu.uj v .-fc- Aai,A v w lr d- n old mountaineer to ' r,f;. I hermit, with cxtraordina-r timental poosiDMiues las 0 B It was often said tluit Weaver would bo found starved or frozen to death some time. So every winter there naa talk of "looking after him," by thos-ti author ity, but it ended ,h.i:ilk, tW ho w:is not exactly the kin r of ni&n to dictate to. In the rermtcfirar of Simpson's grocery, he was "a hard one to tackle." In the beginning of the hermit's last winter on the mountain some hunters, driven by cold to his cabin, entered and found him moaning on his rude couch. They spread the news in Milford. and "the authorities" conferred together and decided tlmt it was time to act. But what should they do witli him? Nolxxly could go up to his lodge on the mountain to take care of him; his wretched dwell ing contained no comforts. And noUxly wanted to take him into bis home. There was the i county house, where all pauper were sent, but that was near the eountv sent, seven miles away. They wno were most outs-token in the matter of having him "looked after" and who owned ihe largest and most com fortable houses, "hemmed and hawed when it came to a question of taking him in. Some one, in n moment of hu mane feeling, suggested that the seven milea' journey to "the poorhouse might prove dangerous to the sick man. and might even throw serious blame on those who lxcame responsible for it. However, after much thought and more talk had lecnput upon the subject, the oorhouse faction prevailed, ami tho fiat went forth that Old Weaver must lie taken charge of by the county, willing or unwilling. The expedition set forth the next morning. It was princijxilly composed of "the authoritit-s." otherwise hard headed and dictatorial personages, with tliat degree of heart lessnetss peculiar to the class known as "prominent citizens." A heavy snow lay uku the ground, and the mountain roads were unbroken. A big sled, generously supplied with straw and lunch baskets, wax made ready. The departure of this hermit ensuring expedition was an event. The jMJstoHice loafers gazed upon the imposing specta cle with envy in their hearts, though they cheered the noble philanthropists roundly. The ieojle at the coffier drug store were all outside waving their Itats and making other demount mt ions of pood will and interest. The varn spinners at Simpson's grocery "held their tolwicco firmly between their teeth and their hands in "their trousers pockets as tho sled went by. This was their manner of expressing a very warm in terest Women watched from doors, windows an I porches, as women always do, and a swarm of enthusiastic small boys bung on to the sled until driven back when half a mile out of town. The philanthropists reached Weaver's cabin fate in the day, after digging their way through great "snowdrifts. All this heroic exertion made them feel more dominant in spirit tlum ever. The very first rap on the hermit's door had the sound of authority in it. delivered as it was by the formidable fist of the town marshal, backed by the approlraUon of the other prominent citizens who accom panied him. There was no response. The expression of decision on the mar shal's face deepened as he lxgan to beat upon the door with both fusts and kick it with the thick soles of his tremendous boot. Still there was no answer. While they were parleying about whether it was time to use the ax rr not the closed shutter of the hermit's single window opened, revealing hi9 haggard face, in which blazed a pair of eyes whoso wrathful lightning fairly an nihilated the prominent citizens. "What do you want?" ho asked, after n moment of discomfiting silence, as they stood, woodless, under tho spell of his unspoken anger. "We heard you were sick," said the marshal. "WeUr "Wo knew you would need help." said the justice of" tho peace, "and so came to try to do something for you." "You have put yourselves to unneces sary trouble. I want nothing." "But our duty as citizens will not allow u.i to let a fellow being suffer," said Deacon White, "Your first duty i3 to mind your own business," said tho hermit. "Hero is Dr. llorsellv, who will help vou right off, if you will let us in," said Mr. Smollett, also a prominent citizen. Tho doctor stood silent, medicine case in hand, tho rigidity of the regular's code preventing his doing any trumpeting on his own a. 'count. "When I am wearv of life I shall send for Dr. Horsefly. tTntil then he must excuse me," returned tho hermit, with something like merriment dancing in liis wild eyes. The "doctor colored under this deadly insult, feeling it tho more because tho earth was y-t fresh over his two last patients. This otTemivo defiance of their authority was the tacitly understood signal for a concerted rally of tho rescu ers. Instinctively they drew ne-xrer to gether, and one said: MOAXIXa 03 BI3 RUDE COUCH. "Come, come. Weaver, Ms is no way to do. Wo are here in .the friendliest spirit, and are Bincerelv anxious to have yci taken carp of Yjli are a sick man. ton ougia tun to tie alone us you are." I "Well, what da you proposa to do with me?' ' - ' x "Why, why take you where you wlU be projierly cared for, of " course," answered Justice MeCracken. "Now, that is kind, I admit," said the hermit, and ho looked at them with a strange, amused expression in his eyes. Believing that they were gaining ground, they grow bolder. "Yes, we wish to be kind. We can't let you itcrish up here, you know." "Well, where do you propose to take mc?" "Hem, hm: why, vou see. Weaver you see llilLsford has no hospital and" "But you have fixed upon eome place for nie, I presume?" questioned tho her mit, in the tone of one about to sur render. "Y-e-s," 6poke up another. "IVe thought wo would take you to Johns town." "Ah, that's the county seat, Isnt It?" "Ves." "And the county house is near there. Isn't itr "Yes." "Well, that's a goxl enough place for any one who wants to go thete. 1 don't. Now it is time for you to leave," and he shut the window. The besiegers conferred together and again began to beat iqion the door. Feel ing more courageous when Weaver's wild eyes were not on them they called to htm that he must consent to go with them, or they would take him by force. The window opened once more and re vealed the gaunt form of the hermit grasping a shotgun. Instinctively the attacking party fell back a few paces. The hermit spoke: "1 will blow the head off any man who again lays a hand upon my door. 1 am in my own house, on my own ground, and there is not la enough In the republic to permit you to enter and lay a liand on a man who is neither criminal nor pauper. Had you come here proffering private charity I should have resented it, but 1 should have respected vou. As it is I will kill you like dogs if you trouble me a mo ment more." An'd he pointed the gun at them in a way that was convincing. tJrumblinglr they moved away. "He's right," said the justice, who lia'd a mor tal fear of firearms: "he's not a pauper. He owns this ground and he owns the house. If he won't come with us wil linglv we shall have to let him alone." "lie's as crazy as a kite," piped uptwo or three others, anxious to cover up their chagrin. "He ought to be confined as a danger ous lunatic," said the doctor, iu whose bosom still rankled Weaver's poisoned arrow. They reached Hillsford in a crestfallen frame'of mind, all agreeing that the her mit might die a dozen times over before they would "put themselves out" to do anvthing for nim again. Two weeks later, when the weather was bitter cold. 1 lobby Hatt. a sturdy 12-year-old. - rushed into Isia mothers sitting room one afternoon, bursting with news. "Old Weavers in town," he panted. His mother looked up from her sewing machine with interest. Like everyldy else iu Hillsford she knew the history of the fruitless 6iege of the hermit's cabin. "Yes. he's here; awful sick, too: out of his head, and is lying on the floor in the lack art of Hunt's grocery. They're goin' to send him to the poorhouse at Johnstown." "Not in this terrible weather," said Mrs. Hart, looking alarmed. "Yes; right oil. There's no place here for him. they say." "No placi for a ioor old sick man in all Hillsford? We are not eo bad as that, Kobbv. I am sure." "Oh, but I heard Judge Markle and Deacon White and all of them say so. It's settled." . T 1 : 1 J I. , 3 vr- u-- - - i3x "I WILL KIIX YOU LIKE DOGS." "Perhaps not." said Mm. Hart as she began .to put on her bonnet and cloak. She was, perhnps, the poorest person of refinement and education in tho town and the most benevolent. She waa a widow, whose only dower were a boy of is ana a girl or u years. ty sewtjjg al most ni"ht and duvshe manage! to keep the wolf out of sight. Accompanied by Kobhy rfje went over to Hunt s to see the h.e'rmit, and nt once knew that ho. TTITs sick unto death. As the sled whh waa to transport him to Jolmgfcewn drew up at the door Mrs. ,ttaft touched the arm of Judge Russell, w1k seemed to be clothed with more authority just then than any of tho other "promir.mt-citizens" who hovered about, and said: "I will take care of Weaver if you will send him to ray house. He is a very sick man, already greatly exhausted by his journey down the mountain. Tho drive to Johnstown might kill him." "Really, Mrs. Hart, you're always do ing too much for others. Young Dr. Clay was in here a bit ago, and ho said the old fellow oughtn't to bo moved so far. But you'd better think twice before you take him. lle'U bo an awful charge." "I know that," she answered; "but I will take him and do the .best I can for him." So tho hermit was put upon the slt't and delivered at Mr. Hart a like a ' i . . r - a - . " 1 1 - I TNT, 1;V - I ir bale of merchandise. The widow's un selfishness kindled a temporary I'atno of the same nature in other breasts, and for the moment volunteer help was plenty. She took advantaixuuf somo of thia to get her patient bathed and barbered and put to ImiI in a comfortable. Christian way. Then began for hef weeks of care, work and anxiety. The Sewing machine waa silent, with the unpleasant conse quence of low finances. Contributions to the comfort of the sick man fell away as time passed and the nlfair became an old story. Young Dr. Clay alone re mained faithful. The donations of others had dwindled down to advice. A II in all Mi's. Hart liad "a hard pull of It. At last the hermit became convales ent. Finding himself in a home where refinement and , kindness prevailed, he fell into the ways of its inmates as nat urally as if bo had lieen accustomed to civilization oil his life. He talked geni ally and charmingly, and seemed s sessed of as much information as any man of Iho world. Clad In his riglit mind ami conventional clothes, he lost his character of hermit entirely. Many of the signs of age, too, had disappeared under the good ollices of the tailor and the leirln-r. lledii1 not look a day over 45. He war. quite well now, but ho showed no disposition to return to hissemi-sav-ngo life. w far as anyone outside of Mrs. Hart's borne knew. Christmas was afrrtost at hand. Hills ford wa:t busy buying its presents and getting up festivities. At Mrs. Hart's the I'lvparations were on a scale so simpU that they were almost pathetic. Two days In-fore Christmas the town had something new to talk about. A middle aged gentleman and lady of the upper class, nijarently, arrived at the Ilillsfor.l lictel nnd asked for Weaver. While l hey rested nnd dined they were regaled v. ith the story of the hermit's queer doirijjs. the ineffectual attempt to send him to the poorhouse, the widow Hart's interference ami everything. Then they were piloted to the Haft door, and for "two days afterward, although the town was almost eaten up by curios ity, it could find out notliing at all about them. It g"t the whole story on Christmas from The Weekly Chronicle. 0 THEHt CHRISTMAS GIFT. Our readers will msrpnsed and cratiSed to learn that Mrs. Caroline Hart was married nipht before In.- to Mr. Vincent H. Wearer; of New York. The ceremony took place t the bride's home at S o'clot-k. The proom's sister. Mrs. C". I. Stevenson, and her husband, also of New Yort. end two or three of the bride's closest friends were the only piHta. Mrs. Hart.- no Mrs. Wearer, as everybody knows, is one of the must highly respected ladies of Hi!l-firvL Allhoiicli far from rich, she has been philanthropic to nn estraort'lnary degree. K.very o:k- knows bow Weaver, the hermit, fell sick one day early in the winter when he came Into town to buy some supplies, and Mrs. Hart had hira removed to her cottage to prevent his being taken to the county bouse nt Johnstown. But not until recently riiil auy one know that Herman Weaver the hermit, and Vincent H. Weaver the5 celebrated author were one and the same. It has been frem-rally believed that our hermit had been thvk-tfui of some cruelty at Cupid s hands, and for this reason had deserted the so ciety of his fellow men. We learo from good authority that this diagnosis was incorrect. He lived In bis mountain cabin because he could there devote himself to the work of writing his books without the risk of being lured away by any of the thousand diversions which tempt him from bis toil in the city. His character of semi-savage wan assumed to protect him from intruders. Mr. Weaver really did not live In his mountain lodge half the time be was supposed to. Often, for months together, he would be absent, mixing with the wits and litterateurs of the metropolis. Ho has even lieen several times to Europe, while the pen4o of Hillsford supposed him to be within bis solitary cabin. Eccentric he Is, to be sure. For Instance, we have been told that before be spoke of marriage to Mrs. Hart hs put SXi.QOO In her nn in a sub stantial New York bonk and settle it handsome sum upon each of her two children. He wished to make ber Independent before the question of marriage waa discussed, and he considered ber entitled to a! be could do for her for having takes bun to her borne, thereby sarins h 13 life when bs wss Rl death's door. This Is a true love match, without don' t. Christmas jrift Is the very best la Saata Claus' Cck. it is labeled "love," and comprehends the tter part of earth and a portion of heaven. Mr. Weaver made a final trip to bis cabin on the mountain the ot her day, and wrote across its door In blic letters, "it Is not good for man to be alone." Mr. and Mrs. Weaver will build a splendid house here for their summer home, but will spend their winters in New York. They left yesterday to finish the season there. We wish them every hap piness under tho sun. This startling piece of news caused many an eye to protrudo when it was read. "1 always thought that Mrs. Hart was a designing thing. Sly, oh, so sly. J'll warrantsho knew that Weaver was a rich man or she never would have taken him in," said a woman who, only a month before, had expressed the fear that tho widow "would have old Weaver on has liacds for life." Uebtrudk Garrisox. Beautiful and right it is that gilts end good wishes should lill tho air like snow liakes at Christmas tide. And beautiful is tho year in its coming and in its going most beautiful and blessed because it is always tho Year of Our Lord. 4 'f v J t i- r"i MK. DAWBAKN, BT T. W. ROUE&TSO, ACTfJOaOtr "BOCIITT, "school." rrc. CHAPTER L -j "Would you have the kindness to step thia tray, sir, into Mr. Daw barn's roomf Those words were addressed by a banker's clerk to a young man whose dress and man ners were a vulgar compound of groom, bettiag man., and pugilist. The sporting gentleman swaggered by the desks and the clerks, looking infinite disparnsetnent at whole concern, nnd was ushered through tha double doors into presence of Mr. Daw barn. Mr. Dawbara was tho principal banker in Bramlingdou, and Bramlitigdoa was the county town of the little eonuty of MufTorti. It consisted of o:ie long, strangling street, tieautitlcd by five old entireties, each & splendid specimen of architecture, which contrasted strongly with the Town Hall, the Corn Exchange, and the Market "lace, which xere modern buildings, aud unpleasant to look nt. "Air. Stullen,"said Mr. Dawbarn to tbe youug gentleman of sporting appearance,. 1 hnve to talk to you, sir, very seriously, sit down, if you please." Mr. Stti.Mert sat iu a chair as if it were at saddle, shut one eye knowingly, and ex amined the thong of his whip with the other. "Mr. StudJeu," continual the banker solemnly. "1 have been laformed that you have overdrawn your nccoaut to the amoanti or "Yes; I know all about thit, governoT,' broke in Mr. Studden. "I've been told so, twice." "I therefore gave directions tint t!i rex tima you presented n check, yo:i should h& .shown jfi hero to me." said tho banker. "TUii is a check of my own drawing.' 1 "Quite so." "Well, now I am here," said Mr. Studden,, goading the side of his imaginary horse with his left bee!; "respectful comps, nnd should like to know your littlj game. What's to bo donef "Mr. tden, I have known you from a ber." "Well, I know that" "And 1 now see you a ruined man" "Hold hard. Matilda," interrupted Stud den; "not ruined pushed for the moment m my trees, but not staked. I've been un lucky on the races this last year unlucky at play. "iVhy, last night 1 lost a pot at loo. and then that girl behaved to me in" Mr. Studden," said the banker, closing his eyes, "1 cannot listen to a catalogue of your cri crl imprudences. 1 am. the father of ex family, and"" - "Cut that, governor!" broke fa the amiable Mr. Studden. "What 1 want is mo:iey, and not preaching no preaehee and floggeetoo. This is the state of the odds. I've overdrawn my account, good: will you let me have some more? tin, I mean. If yon will, I am sure to retrieve myseif. I've some splendid things on, but must have tho ready ti id dity rhino." "Mr. Studden," said Mr. Dawbarn, "I" do not understand your jargon, nor Js such lan guage tho sort of thing I am accustomed to bear. You have lost the fortune left you by your father iu gambling, horse racing, and and the like. For tho last seven years I have seen going to irretrievable ruin. As yon bad a kms minority, ami no friends to adriso you, 1 have tried to help you, but I regret to say, your complete rnia is inevita bleinevitable." "Bet you fifteen to one it isn't!" said Mr. Stndden. " What you (iTe me," continued the banker, not noticinj tho interruption "what yon owe me I shall never trouble you for." "Clefs youT' said the irrevereut Studden. Mr. Dawtiaru's face reddened. "Mr. Stud den," be choked out, " I am not accustomed to be treated with rudeness, and I don't means to begin now. 1 would have given yoa soma ndvice, sir.5 "Don't want it, thank you. "Oood advice, parental advice; hot it will be of no use, 1 can see." "rot a bis." 'I shall leave you therefore to the pursuit bf your career of profligacy, and may it may it -Mr. Dawbarn stammered, for bo felt that be was proposing a toast at a publie meeting "may it prove to you that that that'' 'Out with it, governor," said the insolent young snorting man. ".2o, sir, 1 will not out with It," said the banker, majestically. "I will not say -what I was going to say." Ae yoa quite clear what yon were gome to rtP inquired .the young man, wfco re spected neither age nor wealth. Mr. Dawbara covered Lis defeat grandly. "I will not detain you any longer, Mr. Stud den." lie rang the bell. "I wish you good day, sir; my servant will show you out." "Very good, governor," said air. Studden. dismounting from bis chair, or saddle. "Yoa throw roe over very good; and just at tho moment when I could make a colossal for tune. If I had your capital, or you had my talent and speculated ka foczilam! what might not be made with the tips I have! X know the way out, Chawles" this Mr. Stud den addressed to tho servant "you needn't show me. Mr. Dawbarn, I have tho honor to bo, air, yours truly, ever to command, et cetera cetera cetera. Mr. Studden departed with a Sourish, loavkix tho banker is a state of the most wrathful tf-inatiott. Mr. Dawbarn waa a great man in t.'imlingdon and accustomed to be treated with respct and deference and servility, and though so xcellent a person, Mr. Dawbarn was someuung a humbtur. and tho young man's manners cad w.-?i him that ho knew it. and- it u very annoying to men of 50 years of ago to bo fouad out by their juniors. Mr. Robert Studden, or, as he was called, Mr. Boh Studden, or Mr. Rip Etudden, swaggered past the cashier and clerks with the ease of a jockey and tho graea of a groom. A dozen steps from the door of the bank he met a clerk whom ho stopped. "Halloa!" he cried, with graceful badinage, "ilnnro, how goes it?" "How do yoa do, Mr. Stasliear inquired the cleric "Don't b la cici a hurry. YTc'I, bow is "Ilr. Ehi!-r ' Dcm'fc ba afraid, my boy. I'm not tho l3!2.a cpoil sport. Why tcs bolt wish her? iisltl rak.adyouciylas52vcrtotclpyoc I rcw tm t oiUcr a-jrzBZ. lU toCviol, ui-u-CiT." -- . V,- i
