The Bad Lands cow boy. [volume] (Little Missouri, Dakota [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-1886, 1885-12-03


and she noticed her husband cast I'M
easy glances towards the door every
time IT was opened. She put on her
bonnet after dinner, and went directly
to the store. Mr.. Rapp was standing
at the door. es1.5 a De NJ
n Good evening, Mrs. Forrestl" he
said. "Where on earth is David to.
.day?" b q 81 '
4 Isn't he in the store?" she asked,
with her heart beating like a sledge-
hammer. 81 Il al N 4
Indeed, he ism t. He came in for q
minute early this morning, and hand
ed me tend ollar5 bill, and nlumbled
out something about having forgotten
to put it inSthe till. 4 couldn't 3make
out what he did say. Helooked pale
and sick, and l am sure ought to have
been in bed" IN. Il
WithoYk q word Mrs. Forrest hur-
fried home. a d
What did you say to himR'' she
cried, passionately, to her husband.
you've been harsh and cruel to him,
| know, and now he's gone away, and
I shall never, never see my boy againln'j
IS II told him what said i would, q
he answered, coldly. One moro
chance Igaye Inn s for amendment.
Yes, I told him he was q disgrace, a
clinging disgrac for didn't believehe
would reform. j gave him some mon
iey to replace what he stole, and that
was all. Idon't regret q word I said.
Repro ZACH YOUR own akness.s 1tisn't
just to reproach ME. Since he has
chosen to leave us, it is perhaps the
best thing he could do. ~ = 5ff
But though Mr.. F Forrest spoke in
this manner, he spared neither money
nor labor to gain some tidings OF his
son. They traced him; to q sc aport
town, and then lost all trace as ut
#terlyl Us if the earth had closed over
him: As months and years rolled by,
Mr.. Forrest gave up expectation Of
ever seeing him again, but the mother
hoped still. The father grew more
silent and sad. Time as it passed had
taught him that he had erred in the
harshness and bitterness with which
he had treated his son, and he would
have liked to retract some of his
words. Mlsfortunes, too, had pressed
upon him. His crops had failed three
years in succession, he had mortgaged
his farm in order that he might live;
and in q few days, there was to be O.
foreclosure of the mortgage, and the old
place must pass out OF his hands.
s It's no use striving any longer
Sarah" he said, drearily; ~ do not
know where to look for help, and we
must submit and leave the old home
stead. Father was born here, as well
as myself, and I hoped to die in the
house in which he died. Well barely
have a roof overus at Myron Cottage,
but at least it will be our own. We
didn't think much OF it when your
aunt left it to you, and now it's our.
last refuge" n.
1T will outlast our time, James"
she said, sadly. "There's no one to
come after us, unless David comes
home" 5$ Nh q .53S5 u, Is
& Mr.. Forrest shook his head. Hehad
long ceased to combat what he said
was his wife's monomania about the
return Of his son. She always insist
ed that in the family devotions he
should be prayed for. as still living,
and Withsa cruel pang the father ut
tered the name Of the boy he believed.
deed. "a. y 4. II
!. .'It will be our last Thanksgiving
dinner on the old place. he said the
day before Thanksgiving. & lonely
one, indeed. I wonder if in all the
world there is couple as lone
ly and desolate as we are a. Bel q s.
She did not speak, but slipped her
hands his. He pressed it warmly,
the faithful hand which had never
wearied insits tender care Of him, and
there the old couple sat, silent and
thoughtful. They did not need to
speak. Each knew Of what the other
was thinking, The mother said in her
heart, Dear Lord, bring our boy back
to u.s. The father thought, Lord,
help US to bear patientlythea Affections.
that are bringing ourgray hairs with
sorrow to the grave. S3
Thanksgiving day dawned. It was
% dismal day. The rain poured the
wind blew, the sodden leaves covered
the earth, the whole landscape was
dreary. 4. S.:i: M
It s pretty dismal, ism I'll mother?"5
said the old man. IT. s good thing
we don't expect guests in this storm,
Well, ] suppose We ought to bethank.
full for q shelter this weather, and
food enough to keep us from starv-
ing IA
's Is that all we have, father?p asked
his patient wife. 1--WE have health, and
hope s$'sSf.s5 55
Hope Of what2" he asked, smiling
sadly. 4 think, my dear, you and /
shook hands with hope long ago and
bid it farewell
" Hope ofn home where all these long.
ings and heartaches will be over. o.
james, what can take that from us?''ji
You are right, y he said solmnly.
land ! needed the reproof. We viii
make this a kind Of sacramental day.5
and wrestle with our griefs, as Jacob
did with the angel, until they bless u.s.
Why, there is q traveller out ID this
rainl He looks as if be didn't know
which way to 60. I,
Call, him in; James, !, said his Wife,
81 am glad the Lord has sent some
to eat our q nksgiying dinner with
us.
The tn weller obeyed the call 81 The
old man, and dashed into the yard
z Stranger, this Isl q heavy storm;
come in and stop until the rain holds
up, Mr.. Forrest called out. Put up
your horse IN the stable there. We
have no servants, and / CAM venture
into the rain to help you
In o few minutes the traveller stood
at the threshoi lid A tall, well-builti
man, with q heavy brown beard and
moustache which nearly covered his
face. a
Come in, come in Mr.. Forrest.
said ny you are as wet as q rat.,'
Only my overcoat, = he answered,
IN q hparse voice. q,
with your permission, I'll stop 81
minute ~ the hall md take it 8 a.
He YVES a. long fiyna tyat L; 10 n n III