The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-11-09
JESS.

J family moved from eastern tennessee 10
northern Texas, where he took up land
claim some twenty miles from what is
now the thriving city of Sherman, then a
mere hamlet.
Their three children were small, the
youngest being mere baby. There was
much hard work to be done, large share
of which fell upon Mrs Willard, who was
one of those frail. ambitious, tireless little
women that are so often found among
overworked farmers wives. Besides her
| housework she managed the kitchen gar
den, did the chores" and at times even as
sisted her husband in his own work.
! When he was away the loneliness and re-
! sponsibility of her position were almost
uncomfortable. Their nearest neighbor was
seven miles away, and the prairies were
bleak, windy and cherries. Occasional
parties of Indians addicted to begging and
stealing would come by, thus adding fear
to her other anxieties
After year of this life Mrs. Wizards
strength so gave way that her husband
tried to procure other househelp, but there
were no females to be hired. Even male
help was scarce. Nearly every one was
working for themselves. The country au-
thorities had handy way of dispOsing Of
Migrants by local application of the state
law against carrying concealed weapons
AS each tramp usually had pistol or knife
| hid somewhere about his person, they
would fine him $50. Having no money, he
would be offered to any one who would
agree to pay the county that amount and
| take his labor in return at valuation not
exceeding twenty-five cents a day. But
even this supply Of labor was limited, and
Mr.. Willard thought himself fortunate in
securing an understood lad of Is, whom
the supervisors at Sherman were offering
to hire in front of the court house door one
day when he happened to be there.
Il don't like his looks" said Mrs. Will
ard promptly, when her husband with the
lad behind him rode up to his own door.
what is your name, boy?"
"Jess-so," mumoled the stranger very
hoarsely.
Cant hear your" exclaimed she little
fretfully. "What is your nameY"
"Jess-so," exclaimed he in the same
ravenlike key.
'The creature is an idiot" began the
tired housewife, but her husband laugh
ingly interposed.
"He is telling you the name he goes by,
Z ,
soon see why. Won't she, Jess"
"Jess-so," replied the lad nonchalantly.
'He was arrested for doing nothing, and
having rusty pistol that would be dear at
fifty cents"
Jess here showed that his tongue could
enunciate other ideas by remarking that
this convicting weapon had cost him a dol
lar not hong before.
"Well, you were cheated then. But here
he is, Ellen; make the most of him for six
months. Perhaps by that time we can get
girl"
So Jess was installed as general assist
ant and chore boy, position he filled fair
ly well, though his shy ways and absent
manner rather added to the distrust of his
mistress He was frail and awkward
though in his movements he could be
swift and supple upon occasions. He also
seemed to be both timid and obstinate, and
unless spoken to he seldom spoke, except
when with the children. In their company
he was sociable enough. His childish way
of asserting to most that was said rather
piqued Mrs Wizards curiosity.
It's strange you don't remember more
about yourself" she said to him more than
once.
'Jess-so,' the boy would reply indiffer
emily Il hain't much sartin about any
thing. 'Ceptin' work, he added as if this
thought had just occurred TO him.
Are you right sure them folks you was
with last got froze up in that blizzsrd?'
"Jess-so. We was travelin and campin'
was froze up too. Don't think I've ever
had good memory since"
Cant you think of single name, nary
oneg"
She well knew how unsatisfactory the
answer would be, yet suspicion, however
vague, is apt to reasSert itself in this way.
She feared that so much obstinate self for
getfulness savored more Of design than
misfortune But Mr.. Willard told her that
she ought to consider herself fortunate.
You are the only woman this side OF
Sherman that has any hired help, said he.
You must not be too particular"
"Mebbe l am wrong said his wife re-
signedly. Goodness knows! l want to do
my duty to that boy; but folks As forget so
much seldom have anything good about
them to remember"
THE children like him, Ellen" con-
.inued her husband. That is one good
point He can't help forgetting some
things, | suppose. What ne says about
being in last winters blizzard may all be
so. We know it was awfully severe, and
that two of the boys toes were frozen of
somehow When we think Whist sad things
may have happened to him, perhaps it Is
mercy he can't remember"
jess. who was stolidly washing dishes in
the kitchen near by, shot a grateful glance
at his employer, though his face was other
wise expreSsionless as Chinaman's.
"Mebbe you are right" said Mrs VIII
lard. yet when you are away l can't help
still feeling uneasy. If he'd only act like
other boys perhaps wouldn't. But ! reck-
on its my nerves, SllaS-
After this wear well feel easier" said
he resssuringly. Our cotton i good, and
I'll have some S-year-olds 70 sell Well
put il all by with the rest against pay day.
Mrs Willard glanced al large chest by
the head of her bed.
Glad will be- she said enphatically,
when that money Is out OF our hands and
we are free from debt
The next morning Mrs. Willard unlocked
and orened the chest. Her husband vs.
breaking prairie sod half mile away. the
baby was asleep, and Jes> with the TWO old
er children had gone % the well ~ fne
creek bottom after water. She took from
one corner a bCckskin bag, sal down ard
emitted a roll Of notes into her lap. On
the frontier. with nc b6nks near. %