The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-01-17

&C Grandma, this lady's from Colorado
Springs said my companion, by way
of Introduction
Grandma was carrying an armful of
cedar-boughs. She threw them on the
ground and turning to me said, with
smile which lighted up her whole face
"How dye do. marmp That's a
place I've always wanted to see I've
always thought l should like to live to
the Springs ever since I've been in this
country"
EYES," 1 said. sIt is a pleasant
town; but do you like it herep''
She glanced at her shanty and its
surroundings, and felt guilty at hav-
ing asked my question, but she replied:
"Oh yes, like it very well here.
When we get our house built We'll be
comfortable. It's only for Tommy I'm
here. If it want for him l shouldn't
stay in this country He's all I've got.
We're all alone here-that is so far as
connections goes; but we've got plenty
o. friends and Gods here, jest the
same's everywhere
She spoke this last sentiment in as
natural and easy tone as all the rest;
there was no more trace of cant or af-
fectation in her mention of the name of
God than in her mention of Tommy's.
| They seemed equally familiar and equally
dear. Then she went to the fire and
| turned the clothes over in the water with
a long stick, and prepared TO resume her
work. .-'-
"How long have you been here?" l
asked.
"Only about a week. she said.
"Tommy, he's working s hard s ever
he can to get me house built. 1t wor-
ries him to see me living this way; he's
got it three logs high, already" proudly
pointing to it only a few rods farther up
the hill, "but Tommy's only a boy yet;
he amt Is; but he's learning; he's
learning to do for hisself; he's real
good boy, an he's getting strong every
day; he's getting his health real firm,
m that's all want. 'Tain't any matter
what becomes of me, if can only get
Tommy started all right
"Was he i'll when you brought him
herep'' asked.
"Oh dear, yes. He was jest low !;
he had to lie on the bottom of the wagon
all the way. l traded off my house for
wagon and two horses, an one on 'em
was colt, hadn't been in harness but a
few times; jest that wagon and horses
was all we had when | started to bring
him to Colorado. I'd heard how
the air here ID cure consump-
ton, m 1 jest took him m started +;
'n' it's saved his life; m that's all l
care for. He's all I've got.'
! "Where was your homer" | said.
"Was it long journey?''
"Way down in Missouri; down in
Sullivan County, she replied. "That's
where l was raised. 'Tain't healthy
there. There want none O. my chill
dren healthy. Tommy's all I've got
left-at least I expect so. [ oughter
have daughter living; but the last let
ter / had from her, she said she didn't
suppose she'd live many weeks; she's
had the consumption, too; she's mar
ried. I don't know whether she's live
or dead now. Tommy's all I've got. y
"Were- these two your only chill
dren?" l ventured to say.
"Oh no. I've had six; two o. my
sons was grown men. They was both
killed in the war; then there was one
died when he was nine months old, and
another when he was jest growd-jest
fourteen: and then there's the daughter
| told We on, an Tommy. He's the
Youngest. He's all I've got
He's good boy, Tommy is: rea
steady. He's always been raised to &C
to Sunday-school. He's all I've got.
The abject poverty of this woman''
surroundings, the constant refrain O
sshe's all I've got," and the calm cheer
/ fulness of her face began to bring tear
f into my eyes.
Grandma" said l, "you have hat
a good deal of trouble in your life; ye
you look happier than most people do.
"Oh no, I amt never SUFFERED" sh
said. "I've always had plenty. 1'v
always been took care of. Gods al
| ways taken care of me.''
; 'That must be great comfort t
t you to think that" | said.
[ ssThink it," exclaimed the grand oil
r woman, with fire in her eye. 6" Thin
it! | don't think any thing about it,
v Jest know it! Why, Tommy m me
we was showed up in a canyon here, U
r and old man Nolan, m Miss Nolan, II
e Miss Smith, N Miss Smiths two chi
dren; showed up in that canyon tw
e weeks lacking two days, m I'd like
know eff any thing but God ID ha' keI
n us alive then! No, hain't never suffe
n ed. I've always had plenty. Gods a
k WAYS took care of me,' and serer
e smile spread over her face.
r '.Oh, will you not tell me about th'
J, timepn l exclaimed. If it will n,
+ hinder you too much, would be vel
# glad to hear all about it,"
d "Well, you jest set right down