The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-12-04
"LEFTENANT JIM."
A STORY OF rHANKsarv1No DAY -.

STORY OF THANKSGIVING DAY.
Time-About IL o'clock, A. NJ. of a
November morning, 1864 dead sky
above and dead earth beneath, as they
are seen in dreams.
Place-A little creek wedged in be-
tween two high banks, and a low rickety
bridge over the creek, whose three-foot
depth of water was filmed with ice !;
water whose sleeping ripples had not
been wakent d by the sun.
Persona shabby, scarcrow sort of
man bending over the rail, leaning the
while on his arm. The figure hardly
seemed a man. Its once black hat of
felt was rusty. hued, and haggled with
gashes, out of which sprouted thin
b inches of jet black hair. The brim
WAS pulled down, front and rear. The
coat, once part of nobby summer suit,
was dirty, stained by rain, bleached by
s line, and trimmed with holes, the scut-
tling leaks of unostentatious ill-for-
tune
Tue repose of man and nature was
suddenly and sharply ended. A tuneless
whistle broke out behind one of the
banks-a feeble, wavering spirit of hor-
rible discord such q sound as only
little boy can make with cheeks and
lips. The man turned his head little.
Through the air sailed a speck. 1t
dropped upon the arm of the lounger.
1t was a stone. 1t hurts, for the man
stood erect, uttered an oath, and turned
mis- face to the road down which now
trudged small boy. The youpgsteI
and the whistle stopped as they reached
the bridge. The face frightened the
bov. 1t was thin, haggarl, and savage,
with a black beard of n fortnight's
growth, and wild eyes that showed by
their setting how hunger had crowded
them back and pinched the nose and
cheeks not a cruel face, all in all, but
one made pitiable by hopelessness and
starvation,
You young rascal" he said, catch
ing the little fellow and giving him
gentle shake i've good mind to drop
you into the river and let the minnows
fight for you. What did you hit me for,
eh ?"
The captive, more frightened than
hurt, yelled at the first touch, and then
boy fashion, dropped to tears.
"What did you mean ?" asks the man,
suddenly softening in temper and
speech, and putting his hand, with
kindly touch, ON the little fellows
head.
81 didn't mean nothin'," sobbed the
child. "I-Iwas only tryin' to whistI.' "
"Ha ha ! That was it, ell? You
made very bad note in your tune,
don't you know? You pegged me with
stone. The stone hurt, hurt even a
fellow like me.
st didn't mean to, ;" says the child.
"Of course not. know that new.
You couldn't see me. I'll apologize.
Now stop crying, cheer mp, call it even,
and let's be friends Is it bargain "
But the sobs would come up and the
tears fll the eyes. The boy had sprung
a leak and seemed likely to sink The
man became nervous. He might fright
en- a grown.up fellow, and enjoy the
victory but as to this child-well he
was heartily ashamed of himself. So
he tried the strategy of wealth. He
thrust one hand into the ruins of a pock.
ct, 1t worked about therein like the
scoop of a dredge. 1t came to the en-
trace, full OF debris.
"See here, little one ! " he cries, get
ting down upon his knees, and spreading
his collection upon the boards. "Jusi
1OOh noIo ISL llllh 'uIlC-d-DIHCe ar
they call it?" That's brass button
useless for want of button hole. That
comb I'll keep for my party-going hair.
Yes l know you have one. That's to-
bacco, but you don't chew. This fat
jack knife is no good, for it will not cut
I only keep it because it shuts up wher
l want to talk. Ugh Don't touch
that for it's vile tobacco. Here's
key to house never owned. Let mt
see That, guess, is bread done up il
tobacco. Well "cast that upon tn,
waters, pitching it into the creek
Wheat-the last of my crops. String
you can't eat that and there's not enough
for a kite All Here we have it.
"the sad remains of an ill-spent life
and he Topped in the palm of his han,
a dingy fiFe-cent piece. Now sonny
wiring out your eyes, stop crying, max
friends with me, and the money is your
for candy or the misaionary-box as yol
choose. is it q bargain
The boys eyes frightened. He swal
lowed his sobs, put out his hand, too
the money and said -"Thank you
His captor laughed.
"That's the way of the world, Johnny