Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-12-06

found himself again in the hands Of the
emigration committee, the old and ~
most expressiouless mask fell over his
face again. :.
He made no comment when ordered
to "pile on" to Cats horse. and the
cavalcade took the back track towards
Prairie City. at q headlong speed. But
one. Long jess, close at hand, heard
him mutter:
Its all right, anyhow. Nobody'l
care!''
Cal Senter, squatting in the shade of
the sick woman'sw wagon, saw the little
troop pass, quarter of a mile away,
and grumbled: BLAMED imposition
on her. but it's the best we kin do"
Jerry was passed by the cavalcade.
ten minutes later, on his headlong way
back to the wagon with several pack
ages in his hands and pockets. 1t was
evident that he comprehended the
situation, for he said. addressing him
self: Looks like great shame, but
mebby it's the best the boys kin do. "
Sinks look of stolidity changed to
one of mystifcation and establishment
very soon after Prairie City was
reached. He was hurried into the
barber-shop and thrust into chair,
and. in response to stern command
from Long Jess. the knight of the razor
trimmed the outcast's hair. and re-
moved his beard with a celebrity that
threatened to rob him of his cuticle at
the same time. While this was going
on, several of the committeeman were
rushing about, to the intense mystifi-
cation of the unofficial citizens, who
asked hundred questions, and were
shamefully snubbed each time. When
the rushing" resulted in the produc-
ing of misfit suit of clothes into
which Sinks was hustled, he was in a
state of open-mouthed wonder.
As all hands were mounting, Sinks
heard old man Berry inform a neigh
Dor, in a mysterious but very loud
whisper, that it was his belief that the
committee had captured Sinks red
handed in some atrocity, and were ar
raging him decently that the outcast
might make presentable-loOking
corpse. The neighbor nodded con-
WINGED head, and Sinks, for want of a
more pleasant solution to the mystery,
was forced to accept the direful theory.
So great had been the change in the
outcast's appearance, resulting from
his experience with the committee and
the barber, that when the little troop
reached the wagon, Cal protested to
believe that they had added a new and
improved head to Sinks acquisitions.
The sick woman did not look SO
CHASTITY, thanks to the kind offices of
Cal and Jerry, who had administered
some of the brandy that the latter had
brought from Prairie City. and had
made a doubtful quality of beef-tea
over little fire down in the hollow.
With awkward gentleness they had
pushed back the gray hair and had
placed fragrant flowers all about her
head.
do you think you will find my boy
soon?" her faint voice piped, as Long
Jess looked into the wagon.
Hell be yere right soon. gram
maw," he answered. Il saw him jest
a little bit ago."
Her wrinkled face lit up with such a
look of gladness, that for an instant
Jess heart smote him at the thought
Of the deception they were about to
practice upon the sick woman.
but it S for the BEST" he muttered,
as he Turned away. ''It's a shame, but
it's the best we kin do"
Every face in the circle that gath
cred about the Outcast was hard and
stern. In few pointed words Long
Jess told the story.
If she don't find her boy right soon.
she never will. If she thinks for a few
weeks she's found him. We reckon she
may pull through to health an be able
to go on with her search. Sinks. you
look nearest Nv any Nv us like her sons
picture. You look like him. an if you
don't act like him, we'll-wal, you I'M
derstand!'
Only Long Jess accompanied Sinks,
the outcast, to the wagon.
.'Well. yer boys come, gran maw,"
he said, and turned away.
1t was evident that the deception
was a success, for the committee
heard the faint. glad cry Of the old
as the outcast bent over her.
Paul! my boy! my boy!'
Then the committee turned their |
backs and walked away out of hearing.
No one said any thing for several mo-
nents. Presently Cal spoke, gravely:
Il never lowed Sinks had no feel
ms, but-did you see his face?"
Il saw it." answered Long Jess,
'hortly.
After nearly a quarter Of an hour
lad passed Jess went to the wagon.
He was gone a long time. but when he
'ejoined the group Sinks remained at
he wagon.
Boys" said Long Jess. "it1l
l,e L. IL