Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-08-29


hard, and when I return with my
nuggets of gold, twill be all right"
Could Joe have fathOmed parents
love, he never would have put it to
such a test.
One day Joe did not come in as
usual from school. Bedtime came
no Joe. Neighbors were questioned
mo one had seen him. "Can it be?"
said the mother, going to his little
trunk. "No--yesW the trunk was
empty, and Joe, the only one of her
little flock for whom she had any fear,
had left the fold. Inquiries the next
day ELECTED no information, for they
were not Joe's mates with whom he
had gone, but chance acquaintance,
picked up at some corner. Some
weeks later fur trader told Mr.. Gray
he was sure his boy was one of COM
pany he had met crossing the plains,
but this only confirmed their fears;
their boy had deserted father, mother
and home. This was almost forty
years ago. Quick pursuit was impos-
sible, for the iron horse and electric
wire did not then hold sway west of
the Mississippi, as now; 50 the little
familyjust sat down under the shadow
which brooded over their hearth
stone.
In less than year the father died,
then the only daughter, and the
mother was left with the two boys
who open our story. She was a brave
little woman, and when the first deep
grief was over, seemed to gather new
strength for her work. She sold the
old home, and taking a smaller one,
began to beautify it, as only a mother
can, that her children might love it,
and cling to it. For her first born she
carried heavy heart, although she
still hoped to see him again. Tom
knew her cross, and what it cost her
to bear it, so that its shadow might
not fall on their path. This was why
his face looked thoughtful beyond his
years he was trying to make up to
her what she had lost it was as
though the years of the misguided
Joe were added to his own, and this
is why he did not encourage Sans
enthusiastic longing for something to
happen. 1t was Joe's love for ex-
element and sightseeing, that had
led him from home.
One morning soon after Sans wish
a fire broke out in their neighborhood,
far enough away, however, to cause
them no uneasiness. 1t was just after
midnight when the fire bells smote
the air, with their quick, short, ear
nest peals. 1t required much more
noise to put out fire in those days
than now. Such ringing of bells
from the different churches and en-
CINE houses, as though each was try
ing to Guido the others Such clang-
ing! changing! as sent a SILVER to the
heart of the nervous and old, and
called the stout men and boys, in
spite eff themselves, out into the street.
Such rushing to find a place at the en-.
CINE to pull! Such shouting! Such
blowing of horns! Well, there were
plenty Of boys and men too, who
counted fire the best of fun. Oul
boys were not the kind who ran tC
fires; they had seen many, but had
not gone in the helpful, enjoyable
sense. They knew of this fire, as die
everyone in the town, but after the
first excitement was over they wen
back to bed.
Somewhat after their usual hOul
5 they awoke. Tom suggested tina
t they dress quietly, that they nigh
f not disturb their mother. They were
5 soon dressed and out in the yard. C.
: wonder if it was big fire" said Sam
' 81 guess sO-why the boys are jus
' leaving-listen" There were con
:, fused sounds away in the direction o
5 the fire; they came nearer; the fire
e men were surely going home. 4
t bark from Bosom turned their heads
( and just then a young man climbed
r over the fence and ran toward tn
kitchen. The boys followed just il
time to hear him say to Hulda, "fo
r Gods sake hide me! they will xii
g mew "You have murdered som
!. one" began Hulda-"NO! no! hid
v me p'-"Quick % said Tom, "folIoy
IS me-" Dashing past the astonishe
d Hulda he led the way across an en-
e try into his own little room. Coin
e to a window--it was only half a wiz
e dow, as if it was an afterthOught {