I 've read books , heard sermons , and seen good folks , but nothing ever came so close or did me so much good as seeing this man die . He had one chance and gave it cheerfully . He longed for those he loved , and let 'em go with a good-by they could n't hear . He suffered all the pains we most shrink from without a murmur , and kept my heart warm while his own was growing cold . It 's no use trying to tell that part of it ; but I heard prayers that night that meant something , and I saw how faith could hold a soul up when everything was gone but God . '' Saul stopped there with a sudden huskiness in his deep voice , and when he went on it was in the tone of one who speaks of a dear friend . `` Joe grew still by and by , and I thought he was asleep , for I felt his breath when I tucked him up , and his hand held on to mine . The cold sort of numbed me , and I dropped off , too weak and stupid to think or feel . I never should have waked up if it had n't been for Joe . When I came to , it was morning , and I thought I was dead , for all I could see was that great field of white mounds , like graves , and a splendid sky above . Then I looked for Joe , remembering ; but he had put my coat back over me , and lay stiff and still under the snow that covered him like a shroud , all except his face . A bit of my cape had blown over it , and when I took it off and the sun shone on his dead face , I declare to you it was so full of heavenly peace I felt as if that common man had been glorified by God 's light , and rewarded by God 's ` Well done . ' That 's all . '' No one spoke for a moment , while the women wiped their eyes , and Saul dropped his as if to hide something softer than tears . `` It was very noble , very touching . And you ? how did you get off at last ? '' asked Randal , with real admiration and respect in his usually languid face . `` Crawled off , '' answered Saul , relapsing into his former brevity of speech . `` Why not before , and save yourself all that misery ? ''
`` Could n't leave XXXXX . ''
Joe Randal Saul books graves morning night respect shroud tone