Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-12-16

foa1s wise, my little man, you're
wise" Then he laughed again. and
turning TO Old Jade said, sobcrly. II
havon't 3 sson his father since W. were
boys. He was fine lad, and gritty
enough for two. The little chap Is like
him, judge"
The child has a win o his own,"
said Jade, "but he Is a Reasonable un;
YES, he favors his father, least-wiso in
that
''It is terrible trouble that has vis-
tied You here" said Mrs. Whitney, 4
little primly, TO Grandam Eric.
Yes che Answered, looking down
ut the child in her lap, but, though she
essayed, she added nothing further, for
her throat seemed full. At tha. there
was q little pause, then Mr. Whitney
said: 'lt's bad affair." and looked
down at his foot. Letting his eyes rest
upon that generous quantity moment
he added: "lt seems strange that IL
could not be discovered definitely II his
death was accidental, or from premcd.
ftated robbery. II must have been
from robbery, though, II seems to me,
or else he had made some other dispo-
sition of the money"
''lt was very sad" said Mrs. Whit
ney, pursuing up her mouth little; "his
wife, l believe, was very nice per-
sonp" looking up interrogatively.
Yes mum" said Jade, 'there was
none finer"
1--WE left oar home as soon as ap-
prised Of the affair."" Mrs. Whitney
went on, considering il our bounden
duty to assume the care of bringing up
The child. Doctor what was his name,
JoelP"
"Hornby." said Mr.. Whitney.
"Ycs, DIR. IIornby wrote us inform
ing us of the sudden dreadfulness Of
the occurrence, saying he had guessed
our place of living from some of Mr..
Earnings papers. trust It will occa-
sion you no reluctance or unpleasant
ness to yield the child into our posses
sion"
The lady had a certain stretchy
sickness Of tongue that was quite
soothing to the ordinary ear, albeit her
words were not alwayS well constructed
or grammatical. But Joel Whitney al
ways grew little rcstive under the
smooth and level line Of their delivery
He was eminently a business man, with
little care for affected elegancies of
diction or surroundings, though a great
lover Of comfortable clothing, fat food
and warm quarters. He was, however,
n rather yoluininous talker himself
upon occasion, though he seldom al
lowed himself to be betrayed into
such a weakness. A certain homely
bluntness Of address, mixed with
a not over-refined humor, seemed
his natural output of expression.
In all matters he liked supremely to
come directly to the point Circum-
locution of speech or ideas wearied
him; still his good nature was we'll
nigh infallible. Nothing seemingly
save dullness in those with whom he
had TO do ever lost him his good
humored balance. He disliked affec-
tauon, and, perhaps, his knowledge Of
Mrs. Whitney's directness of language
in the home circle, and rather indirect
largeness of remark on state occasions,
stirred his distaste a little. At any
rate, he tapped his foot softly and
looked out the window as she closed
the sentence, then said little abrupt
ly and with a business-like smile:
"Of course, you old people don't
want 10 be bothered with the child.
We've got little chap at home that
will make him good mate. Besides,
you couldn't give him such schooling
here as he needs, of course"
mo" said Jade, huskily. "we
couldn't do nothin' fur him; you can
have him.
"Well, Mary, we may as well be go
ing them" said Mr.. Whitney, making
a movement as If to rise.
Then old Nora went upstairs with
the child to make him ready. and pres
emily came down with her lips working
and her eyes very red, and put the
child in Mrs. Whitney's lap. But he
refused 10 stay with her. and Joel
Whitney, laying a twenty-dollar gold
piece upon the old bureau, turned to
the child and took him in his strong
arms and tossed him up. and laughed,
and gurgled, and clucked, and carried
him out and put him in the carriage.
Then the old couple, seeming more
bent and old than ever, came out, with
Mrs. Whitney talking very rapidly. and
all shook hands at the gate. Mrs.
Whitney thanked old Jade and Nora
for their Kindness to the child, and her
husband said: "Much obliged much
oDligedl We will take good care of
himF from the carriage. Then John
Earling with his large eyes filled with
tears, looking back over Joel Whit
ney's shoulder, saw for the last time in
hls life the tender-hearted old couple,
crying at the gate, as the carriage bore
him away across the autumn-goldencd
world.