Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-11-28

! care OF good woman, who had
been neighbor of his in Illinois.
Silas had been in Colorado before
and knew some stock dealers IL Den
yer. To these he went, making dill
get inquiries about Jack Tompkins
But they could give him no informa-
tion. So the days heightened into
weeks, and nothing had been learned
of the whereabouts of Jack. How
ever, faithful Silas did not relinquish
/ the search.
1t wanted two days to Thanksgiv-
ing, and the snow was falling softly
over the beautiful city of the plains.
An aged woman, with hair like the
snowflakes, stood at window, look
ing with longing eyes down the busy
street at the crowds passing ceaseless
ly. Thar powerful kind ter me
here she said to herself. But it's
diffrunt frum bein' with body's
own. Them folks out in town seems
mighty happy an, gay, an thar's a
sight of 'em passin' erbout, but, my
Lord. thou knowest ther loneliness
o my ole heart Help me fer find my
Jack
AS if in immediate answer TO her
prayer the door opened, and Silas
Carrick stood, flushed and excited.
before her
Yer kin rejoice, mother! I've just
hurd frum a cowboy whar yer Jack
is, he said.
"Ther Lord, he be good His
mercy endures allus," she cried.
Tell me erbout my Jack"
"Ther COWBOY said As Jack has a
farm or ranch O. his own over in Cedar
Gulch, an he's doin' fust rate. But,
mother and he took her hand kind
ly, don't be skeered when tell yer
Jack be laid up in his cabin in the
gulch. His pony throwed him, but
he's gittin' better now"
my pore boy! Take me ter him,
Silas, she impored.
1t was Thanksgiving day, and the
sun beamed down upon Cedar Gulch
pleasantly, its light striking n little
cabin that nestled on the bank OF a
clear mountain stream.
Jack Tompkins was able to hobble
to the little fireplace for the first
time since he had been laid up by
what had been almost fatal accident
for him.
"An' this be Thanksgivin' day
among civilized folks" he said to his
hired man. well, Ben, be spendin'
it fur diffrunt frum what l aimed.
| lowed ter go back ter Pennsylvany
an take Thanksgivin' an Christmas
with my ole mother. / hain't seen
her fur goin' on sixteen year, | reck-
on. An pore mother! Pete writes
as she be helpless with ther rheu-
mats. Ben. | hate myself fur gittin'
on that drunk an ridin' my pony like
mad, an gittin' throwed over them
rocks. I'm too mean ter live, an i
don't feel a mite thankful nur nuthin
fur sparin' my ornery life. If I'd be-
haved myself an staid sober | could
a gin mother sech a surprise, an
though hain't much force | know
it'd be a plumb Thanksgivin' ter
mother to see her Jack agin."
Eyes, an / low, Jack, you'd gin
right smart o thanks ter be tuck up
an sot right down by yer nanny
this minute remarked Ben.
THAT / wonld,' and Jack bowed
his head thoughtfully.
Ben went out OF the cabin for more
wood to pile on the fireplace; but be
fore he had gathered up stick some
one called out:
"Hellow
Ben turned and saw a span Of mules
hitched to a light wagon, in which
sat big, robust man and little old
woman, with a vail tied over her
face.
us this hyer ther cabin o Jack
Tompkinsfn the man asked.
1T is, stranger, returned Ben.
"Be yer Jackf'
mo; Jacks in ther cabin by ther
fire. He's been sorter used up for a
spell"
Ben approached the wagon, and
SiIas Carrick .eprang out to whisper
in his ear:
Say, pardner, thet little ole wo-
man have brung, an weepin' soft
tears o. Joy back O her veil. be
Jacks mother, come all the way
from Pennsylvany ter hold Thanks
givin' with her boy"
Jack was just talkin' erbout her
ter Inc" replied Ben in husky voice.
He's real down hearted"
WAL, he'll have cause for thanks
giyin' now" answered Silas. Here,
mother. let me holp yer out, and he
took her in his strong arms and lifted
her carefully to the ground. Then
supporting the trembling form to the
door he said, Jacks in thar. mother;
yer 90 right on in" He opened the
door OF the cabin for her, kindly
helped her in, then closed it behind
her. "Yo'n' me be goin' ter stay out
hyer, pardner," he said to Ben, "till
that neetin's over between EN-"
At that moment there were two
simultaneous cries Of JOY, and the
men outside knew that the aged run
away was clasped to Jacks breast.
They walked quickly away and be
gan to unhitch the team.