--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 19 number: 5 published: 1916-03 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, \"The Great Event,\" *Improvement Era* 19, no. 5 (March 1916): 404–412." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1905unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1905unse start_page: 404 end_page: 412 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1916-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1905unse publication_year: 1916 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1916, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Great Event The Great Event In answer to requests for a sequel to "Jed" winning Amy Bleeson BY IDA STEWART PEAY Dare-devil, though Jed Ware had been called all his life inBlackgulch, he never dreamed that while he was still a strugglingstudent, he would have the audacity to declare his love for AmyBleeson and ask her to be his wife. But he had done both and, tohis delight as well as amazement, the belle of the big school hadaccepted him with a soft, shining light in her deep, blue eyes, andhad allowed him to hold her pliant little form one delicious mo-ment in his great arms. For weeks, thereafter, the former sheep-herder dwelt in theseventh heaven of ecstasy, never once coming down to earth totake care or thought of the future. Having lucrative work intown for the summer he went two or three times a week to seehis "little girl," that is what he called her now, just "little girl"—she seemed so small beside him. "Dear little girl," he would murmur, "I am so happy, I hardlyknow how to contain myself." "I'm happy, too, Jed," the up-lifting, young girl would con-fess with her sunny smile, and then they would tell each other ofall the things they had experienced since their apparently, acci-dental meeting in dreary old Blackgulch. At the end of three or four weeks of this irresponsible tarry-ing in the garden of love, Jed and Amy Bleeson were out walkingin the early evening. The soft glory of the moon's light envel-oped them in its age-old magic. "Oh, little girl," he exulted, "how did it ever happen that youcame to love a fellow like Jed Ware?" "Why, I don't see how any one could help but love a manlike you, Jed," Amy told him earnestly. "You are intelligent,strong, gentle, and kind, sincere, loyal and fearless—you are justthe kind of man Brother Maeser talks about—I could trust youto the ends of the earth, and know that nothing could ever turnyou from the right." Jed would hear no more, though her praise set his heartbeating wildly; joy. pride and newly kindled determination spark-led in his black eyes, he took her impulsively in his arms and,before she could laughingly remonstrate, kissed her to silence. THE GREAT EVENT. 405 "I love you a hundred times more, if that were possible, forthose words, dearest," he cried, "and if I do not materialize intoyour ideal, as I told you once in Blackgulch, I'll die trying-." At this expression of confidence from Amy Bleeson, Jed'spossibilities stirred within him. A faint suspicion of the powerof his mind, the strength and purity of his character elusivelytouched his consciousness. Was the dare-devil of his nature—so reprehensible in the eyes of Blackgulch—to stand him in needin future crises of moment to humanity? Vaguely he glimpsedthe on-coming years—deep, deep down in him he felt the promiseof the time to come. The responsibility filled him with gladness—he wanted to ''be a man among men"—but it also brought himdown to earth to take a survey of the present state of his affairs. Once alone in his room, at the farm in the edge of town, hebegan to wrestle with what seemed to him a mammoth problem.He was still working for his board at John James' farm: he hadone more year of school work to finish even should he be ad-vanced as rapidly as he had been in the previous terms—thoughthat was a foregone conclusion: and he was engaged to be mar-ried. The small bank account he had so persistently saved fromhis vacation time earnings was not adequate for the needs hesaw before him. Twenty-four hours he puzzled with cloudedbrow over the difficulty. At the end of that period, as he sat inhis room pondering, though his books were open before him asusual, his old friend Hebe breezed in. "Hello, pard," grinned his Blackgulch chum, "how youcoming?" Jed was more than glad to see Hebe and go back over theyears with him in a little summary chat in which they jovially in-dulged for some time. Presently Hebe announced, "I have justhad a letter from Abe which I thought you might like to hear." The host vowed, truthfully, that it would give him the great-est of pleasure, and the letter was produced. Abe told of hiswork, of his plans—the sheep herd he intended to buy, of the townhappenings and concluded as follows: "I was tickled to death to hear Jed had put it over the high andmighty dude, and got away with little Bleeson. I don't have no moreuse fur that Shumway than a toad has fur a side pocket. He makesout to be a fine gentleman, but inside of him he ain't true to nothing.I hope he took his let down hard enough to teach him something aboutthe real values o' folks. Shake Jed's fist fur me, little Bleeson is apeach. An' I tell you, Hebe, my Sally's all right. She's the dearest,lovin'est, little woman you ever see. Always smilin' an' happy andtryin' to take the kindest care 'o me. Why, I never knew what livin'was till now. An' 'spite of what Fanny Meyer prophesied, which wasthat Sally'd repent at leisure hitchin' up in haste with a rowdy like me,my little woman is plannin' fur turnin' me into a first rate man. Icalc'late to be as stedy as ole Sidney 'gainst I'm thirty. I wish you 406 IMI'Ri iVI'.MENT ERA and Jed joy, hut nohody could be happicr'n me and Sally. Write-soon to your ole pal, Ahc." "Dear, good, plain Abe," commented Jed, gently, with atender feeling for his boyhood chum. "1 le's got a heart of gold." "He has," echoed Hebe solemnly, also, with a twinge ofhome-sickness for his life-long pardner, "and I'm glad he's happyand in the path of progress, as the saying goes, if it isn't by theroute of books." "Yes, he is a true man," lauded Jed, "though he has chosen,or had chosen for him, who knows, the rougher jobs of life. Ishall write him at once of my new happiness." Hebe looked up alertly and studied Jed's face. Finally, aftera short silence, his habitual grin overspread his features at some-thing going through his mind. "I reckon Shumway was pretty hard hit," he chuckled, "hesnorts and shys when you put in an appearance, like a horse doesat seeing a rattlesnake." A sudden tenseness in the winning man's attitude betrayedhis aroused interest, and Hebe went on: "Last night up town hemade one of his ugly breaks, but he wasn't long eating hiswords." The onetime Rlackgulch rowdy shrugged his shoulderswith disdainful significance. Jed did not ask to be told what his rival had said; he merelyfixed his black eyes on Hebe with an intent expression quitefamiliar to his friend, who proceeded, warming to his subject."There was a crowd that I had fallen in with, just coming outof the drug store as you passed on your way home from Bleeson's,and one fellow spoke up and said, T don't blame Amy Bleeson fortaking up with that chap, Ware, there's something fine and fear-less about him that—' " " 'Fearless is the right word,' interrupted Shumway in hisvenomous, slurring manner, 'a man is sure fearless who can aska girl of culture and refinement to share his fate when he hasn'ta second shirt to his back, and is doing chores for his board! Iwonder where—' " " 'When Jed Ware asks a girl to marry him it will be whenhe is able to offer her the best there is going,' I informed theimperial gentleman, cutting him short, and I didn't smile either,so he knew it was time to close, which he did, promptly, just mut-tering, 'O, so I'd suppose.'" "But—a—Hebe!" Jed's tone mildly chicled, his face wasclouded with conflicting emotions. "A—no, Hebe, you were notn>ht—I've already asked her!" he jerked out the confession bash-fully. "The deuce you have!" gasped his champion, almost inaud-ibly, staring at Jed in blank amazement. THE GREAT EVENT. 407 For a time neither boy spoke. The dollar alarm clock on thetable began to tick noisily. It raised its voice with each seconduntil at last it seemed to be fairly shouting. Jed was the first torouse from the silent musings into which both had fallen. "Why, yes, Hebe, I've already asked her?" he reiterated, in-terrogatively, as if to say, "What's to be clone about it?" and theunsolved problem loomed in his dark eyes. "O, pshaw! Of course! To be sure!" Hebe recovered theshock suddenly, a bright thought instantly clearing his vision."You're engaged! That's all right. There's nothing to worryabout being engaged—good thing you did engage her, or the otherfellow might have slipped away with her while you were gettingready to take care of her. Sure it's all right to be engaged!Why, there's Tilson, you know, and Mary Lee, they've been en-gaged four or five years. He's been East to college and she'sbeen teaching. This year they're both going to work, and nexthe'll be able to get married right, and take care of her decent.WThen you've been engaged a few years you will be in a positionto offer your wife as good a living as Shumway could." A scorn too strong for words was deepening into the blueblackness of Jed's midnight eyes, as he gazed steadily at his oldpal. "A—what's the matter?" Hebe puzzled, fidgeting under thelook. Jed relaxed a little at his guest's discomfiture, explaining hes-itatingly, "I—a—don't think I like that fellow, Tilson's way ofdoing—of course, it's his own affair. Any way—" his voice be-came firm—"I didn't ask Amy Bleeson to be engaged to me, Iasked her to marry me. And I didn't do it to keep the otherfellow from getting her, but because I want her, I need her, Ilong to have her always with me. I feel safe to follow thatfeeling for I know God designed it. Ever since I've had this loveI've believed it was heaven-sent and—well, the fact is, if she willconsent, we will be married in the early fall." "In the early fall!" Hebe could hardly believe he had heardright, but Jed nodded his head affirmatively, his lips a determined line, his eyes serious. "Well, I'll be !" heaved the visitor, falling into his old vernacular in his extreme astonishment, thenadded with the sigh of one finally accepting a most unusual fate,philosophically, "but if any one could pull off such a daring featit would be Jed Ware. How are you going to do it?" "I don't know yet," admitted the lover, musingly. "I thought you had ambitions," suggested Hebe defensively. "Not the kind that's going to rival the woman I love, orplease the Lord, that will ever displace her," Jed spoke with hisold spirit and decision, no problem obscured the purpose thatlooked out of the depths of his fathomless eyes. 408 IMPROVEMENT ERA " I Wit a fellow tan'i geA an education—a rise in the world witha wife and family to support," rebutted Hebe. "He'd better stay down, then, for wife and family's the firstJim pose," declared ]v<\, visualizing in fancy the grandeur ofllimie, which he had never known in fact. "However, I do notadmit your statement. A good woman never held any man down.Woman—" further philosophised the youth—"is a man's inspira-tion and comfort. It was a woman—a mere girl—who gave memy first lift upward—I suppose most men could say the same.I'd hate to take a boost from a woman and then ask her to clearout of my way so I could climb to my star without hindrance!"The withering scorn was burning in Jed's eyes again. "Humph !" snickered Hebe, not without admiration, "that'ssome preaching and—-maybe you're right, I haven't thought manythousand feet deep on the subject." "Neither have I," the other granted with a laugh, returningquickly to the good humor Hebe always put into every one, "butI've noticed that Tilson, and I know Mary Lee. He's nearer thestars, now, in my estimation, than he'll ever be if he learns everybook in creation off by heart." Hebee burst into his mirthful laugh, "I agree with you;there." he grinned. "Rut, old boy, we didn't start out discussingwhether wives were a drawback to star climbing, but whether apoverty-stricken student could fittingly provide for an aristocraticyoung woman who has been reared in comfort and luxury." "There's one thing in my favor. She—Amy—is not laboringunder any delusion as to my riches, and"—here Jed's eyes soften-ed and glowed with a glad light—"she accepted me. I wonder,"the big man ruminated soberly, "I've been wondering all the timewhy she did—how she could. And yet it seems natural, in a way.it seems like I've just found the other part of me—that I'd lost intransit here, that T'd always been eagerly looking for—it seemslike—pshaw, PTebe." led checked himself, "we poor mortals don'tunderstand love. All T know is that it is the biggest thing in life.and I'm going to follow it for I know it has come to me right.It's next to the kingdom of God and like it in that you are to seekit first—love, second, of course—and all other things shall beadded unto you." "Amen!" gurgled Hebe, albeit reverently, and with a telltalelight in his merry blue eyes, which were seeing, by the gift ofimagination, a phantom. A Hie Peck, instead of Jed on whom hisS'aze had absently rested. "If you blaze the trail." he murmuredhalf to himself, "like you did to the big school. I'll find a way tofollow." The next day Jed made an opportunity to have a talk withMr. James, a silent, thoughtful man whom he had learned torespect and appreciate. He thought a little advice from his years THE GREAT EVENT. 409 of experience would help to point the way. After a preliminarychat about love and marriage the young man finally asked hesitat-ingly, "Should a fellow—that is—if a man with very little to liveon had asked a girl to marry him, should he let her share his fate,or tell her he is willing to wait for marriage until he can earnenough to take care of her properly?" Mr. James looked at the boy a long time without speaking.At last he said, in his plain, quiet way, "Girls don't marry to betaken care of—they marry—like men—to enter the game of Life.With love for trumps they'll stake their all on a victory. If aman wins a home and fortune before he takes a wife, he cheatsher out of the most interesting part of the game." Young Ware smiled to himself over his employer's ideas, theywere in line with his own conceptions of the fair sex, for, thoughthey were fair, indeed, in the boy's eyes, they were strong, too,in their way, and he knew their purposes were as noble and up-reaching as his own. To be sure, his fervent, boyish worship of Amy Bleeson ledhim to build countless, futile air castles about carrying her awayto a place of luxury and beauty; but, somehow, the picture ofthem struggling along together, meeting and conquering difficul-ties, and laughing at all obstacles, in the strength of their love,afforded him the greatest thrill of anticipation. At any rate, he knew very well what he intended to do; itwas how to accomplish it that puzzled him. He did not have the"very little to live on," mentioned in presupposing the case toMr. James. However, Jed was not above asking counsel of hisMaker, and as soon as he had done so he saw one step, which,with his customary fearlessness, he immediately took, his headhigh with hope as usual. It occurred to him to go to Dr. Maeser—who was the sum ofall wisdom and goodness to the redeemed rowdy—and he lost notime in following the premonition. He found the beloved presi-dent at his house, where Jed was welcomed with unaffected kind-ness. The beautiful, natural graciousness of manner of the grandold master warmed Jed's heart and put him at ease. He disclosedthe business of his errand at once. "Do you think I could qualify to do some teaching in theprimary and preparatory grades," he asked diffidently, "I waswondering—" The president cut him short, "Why, my dear boy," he saidin his happiest manner, and with his rare, engaging smile that leta flood of brightness out of his deep-set, grey eyes, "I was justtrying to think of some one for that work—you are the veryperson I need, you must have come in answer to my anxiousthought. I am sure you can finish your work at school and, also. 410 IMPROVEMENT ERA dn the teaching T have in mind, and we can pay you a smallsalary." Jed was so profuse in his thanks and his great dark eyeslighted up with such relief and happiness that the wonderfulpresident partly guessed the cause of it all, and shook the country-man's hand warmly at parting, murmuring with his sympathetic,understanding smile, "It is all right, my boy, it is all right." The young pedagogue-to-be seemed to be walking on airwhen he got outside of the president's home, his feet, indeed,hardly touched the ground, as he took his great, swinging, stridestraight to his sweetheart's door. "Why, hello Jed," smiled Miss Bleeson wonderingly, "I wasnot looking for you tonight." "Perhaps I'd better go back," teased the happy lover with amischievous pretense of leaving. "O, Jed!" she coaxed, also playfully, but the half caressingnote in her voice, though used in fun, thrilled the big man likemagic, he turned and caught her hands masterfully in his, flashinga challenge from his black eyes, "Now you can never get awayfrom me again," he whispered, his breath quick, "never, never." Amy Bleeson was stirred with his ardor, but she gently with-drew her hands and led him into the lighted parlor. There inthe comfort and elegance of the beautiful room, Jed nearly losthis assurance. It would be ages before he could provide such apleasant home as he was asking her to leave. But, as they talkedon and on, and as the night breeze came through the open win-dows, with its whispering music of romance, selfishly flutteringthe filmy curtains back and forth, as he imagined he heard thetender note in the velvetv tones of her voice now and then, andalso, under the leveling, eliminating influence of Love, he regainedhis native daring and told her all his plans and hopes. About thelittle, promised salary : the few hundred dollars in the bank, sopenuriously saved for this very need ; and of his desire to marryher in the early fall. The little sweetheart demurred gravelv, and suggested wait-ing that he might the more easily finish his education. "I'm never goinc to finish my education, I hope," laughedJed, "until I'm through with this existence. There is only onething that deters me from relentlessly pressing my suit—I cannot,now, furnish you"—he reminded her considerately—"with whatyou have been accustomed to; some day I can make my way allright, I know," he promised stoutly, with the consciousness ofmighty muscles and a keen mind. Amy was silent so long that tormenting doubts began toassail the man, and he urged her for an answer. At last she re-marked, musingly, "Father says starting at the bottom of theladder is the natural way for young married people, for then they THE GREAT EVENT. 411 can climb up, starting from the top leaves them no way to go but down." "You are not afraid, then?" Big, powerful Jed leaned pro-tectingly close—his black eyes bright as he looked long andeagerly into hers. No wonder she chided under her breath, thecaressing note unmistakable, "Afraid, Jed?" The ten weeks of preparation was an entrancing dream to theone-time sheep-herder. He went oftener to see Amy, frequentlywithout previous arrangement, and would sometimes find her verybusy stitching away on sheer muslins and linens. His presencewould bring a dainty flush to her fair skin, and the sight of heralways set his pulses throbbing. So joyous was the time that itpassed on fleet wings, bringing the golden days of Septemberwhen the happy pair were to go house hunting. The boy hadbeen looking forward to this event all summer. Poor, homelessJed was to have a fireside of his own, graced by the angel of hisdreams, and the keen edge of pleasure in the sacred association ofhome and wife was not dulled by any promiscuous mingling, orfamiliarity with other women. Therefore, when he took Amy tohelp select a suitable place for them to live, it was a gloriouslyhappy occasion. Near the old warehouse a tiny cottage was discovered whichwould do admirably, and after a delightful excursion to the fur-niture store, where Amy would not allow her affianced to spendmore than half his savings, the little nest was made ready fortheir occupation. A few more days and Jed Ware and AmyBleeson reverently entered the temple, and were married for timeand all eternity. After the impressive ceremony, humbled andsilent with their great happiness, they returned to the bride's homewhere a family wedding party of nearest of kin and most intimatefriends had assembled to wish them joy, offer a few helpful gifts,and make the day more memorable. During the evening the former Blackgulch dare-devil of"tater-hole" fame, slipped away to start a fire on his own hearth—for the night was chill—then he returned for his helpmate. Whenthe good wishes and good nights were all said, he and his chosencompanion went with subdued joyousness to their own home andthe new life. The pretty living room was illuminated only by the flickeringflames, when the man and his wife sat down before the fire inthe grate. "Isn't it wonderful, little girl," whispered Jed, "isn't it heav-enly?" "It is," murmured Amy, her eyes shining with a soft light,"it seems like we've slipped into a little corner of paradise. Couldanything be imagined as beautiful and pleasurable as our Father'splan of Life?" 412 IMPROVEMENT ERA "Shall we tell J lim and thank Him?" suggested the man rev-erently. "Surely we must!" agreed the bride with sweet humility, andthus they began their life together. 1T.OVO, UTAH The Promised Land As I stand on Zion's lofty mountains and survey the valley's haze, I seem to see the promise of happy, peaceful future days. I see the New Jerusalem, and my imagination paints The Parliament of Heaven, and the Congress of the Saints. At my feet flows the river Jordan, and across its silv'ry stream,Lies the beautiful Land of Promise, and the City of my dream.While from its lofty eminence, the sun, clear, warm and bright,Bathes the distant, low-rimmed valley in a flood of golden light. In the low, green valleys' loveliness, the City nestles down:The diamond in the betrothal ring, the jewel in the crown;White streets and stately palaces, decked out in glad array:Like a bride adorned for her husband on her wedding day. And they, who walk upon the streets, are they, who chose to spendA little while in a sinful world: faithful to the end.They were faithful over little things: but now their labors cease;Crowns of eternal life are theirs, also happiness and ease. How I long for my Father's summons to that distant golden shore:Where the Saints have ceased their struggles, and are at rest for evermore.Where the Sons of God shall gather, from their stern endurance test;"And the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary be at rest." OGDEN, UTAH George R. Lyon