Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1879-11-26

~ door No. answered By 1 buxom
gfrl. AZ the door opened, there
.ushed out the fragrant incense Of roast
turkey.
II am hungry" hs began. "Ive
had nothing to eat today
The door began to Gloss. He put his
hand against It.
"Fcf heavens nke give me some
.hins, \ II n mot moro than : crust Of
II vas the hero ~"1ieutenant Jim"
Who was pleading for Just . few mouth.
The door opened Z little.
aYe're = hard looking tramp, 70 are"
said the girl.
81 know It" admitted the lieutenant,
"And the mistress In mighty particu-
lar" continued the girl. "The last one
Of ye We fed just ran away wid the
though, to b sure it was IN ould
iron one. Yes . mighty ugly fellow"
"Perhaps. But I don't stesl,n assert-
ed the on soldier. "Now think ! min
utel I've eaten nothing to-day. Give
me . bit Of something. I'll eat it In the
back yard-anywhere.n
Well, come inn said the girl doubt
fully. "Tll take my chanchea. There,
set In that chair and don't shpake 4
wurred."
She hustled around and soon handed
him = plato Of loaded with cold meat and
bread, Z generous alice Of butter on the
edge, and . bowl Of milk to keep the
food company. :.
pitch IN nowi" she ordered. "You
tind 70 your business and I'll tind to
mine, but no thavery."
Dinner had not been served. He
heard the hum of distant conversation
and little bursts Of laughter in Z distant
room. Now and then some one struck
. piano. The heutsnant's keen eye
swept the kitchen and tho pantry. Be
for him Vas . wealth of piea. A pot Of
coffee on the stove dubbed up fts in.
cense. The turkey sixsled and cracked
In the oven. Dishes of apples and NUT.
and raisins were upon the long table
Everything betokened unusual festivi.
ties.
"a partyf" be Aid, nodding toward
the front part of the house.
Thanksgiving dayi" was the senten'
tious reply.
"Ahi % it d. had forgotten it. 1,
b . day not down in my almanac"
The girl stopped a. If to say some
thing, but changed her mind and went
with her work.
A door opened and q little fairy of ,
girl perhaps six years old, came into tn.
room. She stood with her hands behind
her, and watched the "man" eat. Hi
plate was nearly empty. He felt like
ono intoxicated.
Were you ever hungry, little onef'
he asked Of the mis-, scraping the last
crumbs of his plate.
"LOt Of times; but never 20 hun,
cry > you. And / don't eat in thu
"Nor !, either, always; but l like it,
said the lieutenant, rubbing his mouth
on the back of his hand In lieu Of Q nap
kin. "In fact, it's fine"
"Don't yes talk too much now, Mis-
Laural" ordered Bridget, kneeling t.
baste the turkey. The small girl shrug
ged her shoulders and pouted.
"lsyou really . tramp" asks Laura
coming . little nearer.
ant. "Look ut tiny boots,,' and he bal
anced his feet on his heels.
"They's real funny. They's laugh
Ing" said the child, STOPPING over x
study the chasms in the toes.
Don't your papa wear such boots9'
inquired the man.
amt got no papa" the girl re
Nor l." laughed the tramp; but tn.
child was very sober.
my names Laura, what's YOU
namef" abe asked . moment later.
my name?" said the lieutenant, hi
face becoming very grave. "My name
4 havsa't aay. I leaA IL lonx aso.n
ibid anybody find itf" was the cues
ton sagely propounded. She stood clos
to him now, n hand on his knee. anc
wistfully looking up into his face. a
something he saw In it Overcame him
and he bowed his head in his hands.
Don't be imperentl" said Bridget
Lave the man alonei ] think YOU,
better Be going, sir"
The lieutenant raised his head.
II think 10, too" He looked AGAR
into the child's face-stoopcd down ant
kissed her.
my haiti" he demanded sharply, y
he turned away.
1t wa near the dining room door
where Bridget's dress had swept Il, H.
stopped to pick it up. At the same In
slant the door opened and . handsome
woman, richly dressed and mot mort
than thirty years of age, stood in ths
doorway. As he rose his face looked
into her. His hat dropped from hi,
hand and he staggered back.
20 G0dl" he cried. "It il Marian
A quick cry of surprise and 10Y came
from the lips of the woman. She placed
her hands on his shoulders and gaxed
lovingly and mutely into his face. The
mans bead slowly dropped.
Husband, look ct mel" she cried
catching bis hands In hers.
II cannot, I dare not. See what
ami Remember what / was-to you,n
he rid.
Away my husband, James, and
always forgiven"
always your husbandf" standina
erect and with . Wild vigor In his attf.
tude. "MaTian, ! heard that the law
had freed you from me, because l struck
you whom ! Was drunk, and in my shame
deserted you when / was sober"
ut was Ill false. Ihave waited for
you for Ave long years. I knew Won
would come back some day. Now You
arc here. Poor, poor husbandi How
you must have suferedi Come With
mel Laura, child, comel The back
way IL clear"
Still he hung back. ~ am mot ft.n
he said. II an forever diseraccd. Let
me 60 away and como hack again some
time when ] am NO longer : tramp"
james, this h Thanksxivinr day.
II i our day, If anybody'A You must
come. You aro no longer . tramp.
thank Godi Comet II 8 homo aaafn
for I'll Of us;" and putting her srms
around her husband she led him out Of
the room and ont of his bondage.
An hour later the tramp at It hin
wife's table - Z gentleman. dressed in
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