Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-05-04

tor in this plot for the degradation of my
poor old friend. I sat by his ted next
day, when who should appear at the
door but my father. l felt that the plot
was t~hickening.
We'll, how are you, Mr.. Roger s?
said my father in bis hearty voice.
Are you feeling pretty smart to-day?D
eyes, I'm pretty smart, thank ye. 1
hain't got them boots o. yourn quite
ready yet, though. Ill try and take
of 'em tomorrow. I'm sorry you had
the trouble of coming after 'am for noth-
ing. / can send 'em by YOU little gal.
l d%unno's you know what a good little
gal she is to comc and see me-.
II like 10 come" l said.
My father seemed in no hurry to go,
and said at length:
it, Mr.. Rogers?"
swell, | dunno's I've much to com
after things, and | tell her to spend the
money in the black teapot. There's
other folks worse off"
Ny father looked puzzled.
"Ideclare Mr.. Rogers, you've known
what trouble was, haven't you? See!
how many years was yonr wife laid up?
And you've lost about all your children
and now here you are yourself"
Yes, yes" said the old man. "But
those amt the sort of things | try to let
my mind dwell on while Pm a laying
here. ] try to count up my mercies." :
My father looked desperate.
well, now, Mr.. Rogers, l think, and
my wife thinks; that you ought to &C
81 amt got nowhere else to go, sir,
j Pm, oil ,ln,,a -, A. - y y'
what you say"
"But, Mr.. Rogers, to be plain, you
know Pm II of the selectmen and I'd
see that the town took care of vou-bet-
ter care than Mrs. Sinons does"
u dunno's quite catch your mean
ing sir; Does any body find fault with
Mrs, Simons?"
mo, no, / don't mean that. I mean
we think you'd better 90 down to Mr..
Miles's to spend the winter. He keeps
the town farm, yea know"
You mean to the poor house, sir? I
Warn't very bright ter see"
n old man turned his faded eyes
lmploringly up to my fathers face.
We'll, yes, that's what they call it.,
though must say | never quite liked
the name"
The old cob5ler's face seemed to grow
white and aged before our very eyes.
The tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
With the instinct decently to hide his
trouble, he drew up the old beduuilt
| with a tremulous hand and turned his
face to,the wall.
Dunno but I've asked too much" he
said, in a broken voice. 'I've sort
chung onto the idee that I should die
before l come ter that. 1.-THE Lord 'ud
only give me something | could die of"
Lucy" said my father, "6idn't 1
hear somebody in the shop? Go and
see."
Two strangers had just entered the
door-a tall young man, dressed in suit
of plaid, and accompanied by pleasant
faced young woman in a white bonnet.
"Mr. Rogers is sick" 1 said. He can't
mend shoes now"
"sick, did you say he was? Where is
hep
"He's in there. I don't believe he
wants anybody to come in"
The young man gave me a queer look.
By this time he stood in the door be-
tween the two rooms. MIR. Rogers face
was turned away, and my father was
looking ~intently into tie back yard.
The stranger glanced ~uneasily about,
and said not a word. am sure it must
have been a relief to him, as we'll as to
me. when at last my father turned sud
denly round and said:
why, who's this?!"
Its somebody come to see Mr.. Rog-
ers.' l answered family.
"Don't You know me? Don'tyou know
me, father" The stranger burst out.
Its Jim come back. And out there's
my wife. Come home to enjoy Christ
mas with you"
l laugh now to think Of the absurd
sense Of reliefthis last reyelation caused
me.
Jimmy! Come homew the old man
murmured, in a dazed, scared way. II
amt out of my head. I'm awake, 1
know what your going ter do with me-
you,be going to take me to he poor;
house"
Take YOU TO the poor house, father?
What are you talking about? You are
going to live in style. No p%oor-house
about that. Amt you glad to see me?
Say Name, come in here and see your
poor old lad!!"
There WAS a moments silence. Slowly,
very slowly the old man understood;
slowly he raised himself in bed, and,
holding up his trembling hand, said, sol
EMMY:
He bringeth glad tidings of great joy,
good will to men,
aEl--