The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1882-08-22

Va titO fllhccubA W tONOi W otC ~ - "tA
What wonderful change sixtecr
years makes In men and women
The glossy brown hair may have be
come thin III that time, and OH tht
smooth face time may priut more
than one fine wrinkle telling Of tbt
deep iurrows to come. Sixteen year:
huye somew hat ,whitened Sandy Nc
Governs hair, and his figure is more
portly than il was when he rode
away from the sceue OF the desert
massacre. And sixteen years have
transformed the kid" into a tall, slal.
wart lad OF eighteen, full OF health
and strength. Robert McGovern, nt
Sandy had called tho baby Lc found
in the old wagon box, looked mag.
Efficiently as he rode up to The house.
crossing tho little stream in one easy
leap OF his horse. For the sixteen
years had brought wealth 10 Sanly
wilhjlle gray~i,airs. Itreally sceiised
MS ii everything he touch prospcrcd
after be rescued the baby. He made
more money trapping that year than
in any two before. lie got contracts
to supply the stage line with horses,
and made money, out of them. lie
bought slmre in claim Tor almost
nothing, aud il turned out to be enor.
nously rich "Lucky Sandy" as he
was called, began TO be noted for his
Uniform success. Finally he turned
his attention TO cattle, aud purchas-
ling large tract ofland, stocked il
and became a ranchero. lie placed
the "kid" al school as soon as he was
old enough to go, and alter giving
him a good edncftion, brought him
home to live on tho ranch and learn
TO manage ii.
"Fuiher," said Bob (Sandy never
called him kid unless they were by
ihemselYes) there's party down
there on the road aud the stare is
broken down. | told them I'd ride
up here aud send q wagon down to
bring them up. | said you would
be glad TO have them as they'd siay.p
That's right, my boy; Of course
we're glad TO have EN-. Here, you,
Pedro, harness up an go down 10 the
road. Bring up all tho passcns era on
tls coach, How many is there Of
'en, Bob ?"
"Five N all. There's the pretbest
girl, father, you ever saw. an old lady
who kept looking at me, and three
gentlemen"
swell, my boy. we'll try an make
'em comfortable. You better go all
see bout rooms being got ready for
'em. an I'll ride down to bring EN-
up."
Bob dismountcd, and throwing the
brille reins oyer tho litcliing post,
walked into the house. Sandy
looked after him, aud muttering TO
himself, Il declar' that boy gets better
every day." prepared to ride down to
the rescue OF tho passengers. 1t was
nol very long before the whole party
reached the house, glad enough for
the choncc OF staying there until they
could go on with their journey. II
consisted of Mrs. Bsruston and Mr.
Bafrslon, his ncice, Miss Edith
lIovee, and two friends Of theirs,
MessrS. James and Flynn. Sandy's
welcome was so cordial, and he WAS
SO umil'ectedly glad to see them, that
all idea offornaiity vanished, and
before supper time the whole party
had become MS familiar as old friends.
Bob seemed to get along very well
with Miss Edith, and while Sandy
and the other gentlemen chatiered
together the Two young people talked
about anything and everything that
could furnish topic of conversation
Both Sandy and Bob noticed, how
ever, that Mrs. Barnston was very sill
ent, aud that she did not seem able TO
keep her eyes off the young mans
TACO. She would look Ut him with a
half puzzled and most anxious ex-
preston until she saw that she WAS
noticed by others. when, with an et-
fort. she would join in The general
conversation.
After snpper the whcle party went
out upon The piazza, when the men
lit their cigars, aud all talked Al
lcngth Sandy, who never missed q
chance OF showing his boy of, called
upon Bob to sing, aud he at once be-
gan, ia beauliiui tenor voice, some
simple melody. AS he sang Mrs,
Barnston became more and more
nervous, until suddenly starting up,
she hastily LETT the piazza. Her bis.
band followed ber, and, after short
absence, returned. Turning TO San.
dy, he said: 's
.You must excuse my vile, Mr.
McGovern; but she lost her fret hus.
band and her boy many years ago
under peculiar distressing ,circum.
stances, and your sons singing has
reminded her so of her frat husband &
voice that she was unable 10 stay
with us"
Sandy paused a moment before re.
plying, aud then i'll deep tone said
"Bob amt my SON."
"Not your son /! Why, Thought
but | beg your pardon said Mr.
Barnstnn.
,.Pardon,s granted, -, said Sandy
sententiously. "What | mean is,
ain't Bob's real father. He's my so,
| in affection and In love, but be aim
NV natural son.n