Night’s Goddess

122 IMPROVEMENT ERA

explained, "when there are floods on the North Mountain, which there are not for long periods of time, the mad waters wash the trout from the mountain streams and carry them down into the river. As the flood lowers, the fish try to go back up stream, keeping along the shallow water at the edge where they may get some air. Then the natives rush out as they are here and pick them up." He listened until I had finished, then a ghostly stare came into his eyes. He looked straight at me, as I do not care to be looked at again. "Flood!" he said, "Flood! No, my boy, the flood did not bring them these fish, it was my prayer. I am not needed now; any one can cook fish. Thank God for this!" He crawled back under the blankets. I goaded the brutes on. We crossed the stream. At the first house I stopped. Brother Jones and I drew back the quilts. No need for expla- nation. The Doctor was quite still. An hour later we three, Brother Jones, the corpse, and I, were alone in the room. "What I could not understand," I re- marked, "was his saying that the fish had come in answer to his prayer. I am sure he uttered not a word of prayer on the whole trip." "But, son," cautioned this good man, "do you not remember the words of the hymn? 'Prayer is the souVs sincere desire, " uttered or unexpressed? "Yes, I remembered, and I have never forgotten." Bicknell, Utah

Night's Goddess

A presence of holy and gentle delight Awakened my dreams in the hush of the night, The moon in its vigil, so mellow, so bright, Shed over my couch its soft glory.

So pale through the curtain, so white on the wall, The tremulous cheer of its beauty did fall; So tranquil, so soothing, its charm above all Breathed low as a soft whispered story.

And I said to the Night, 'Tis the gladness of Peace" That bringeth the troubled, the weary, release — That bringeth the hopeful Hope's deeper increase, So touching, so tender thy glory.

The lissom breeze wafted a balmy perfume Afloat in the shadowy, shimmery room, Afloat in the mellow and tremulous bloom That shed o'er my couch its soft glory! Minnie Iverson Hodapp.