Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-03-21

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The boss, well pleased, passed on
and out of the shop, reiterating his
order as he went.
you'll kin yourself working like
that an goin' 'thout eatin', the way
you've been doin' so much"
Joe Walton spoke bluntly, but he
meant well, and was kind at heart
the best friend Jem had in the shops.
He leant Jem helping hand.
Jem smiled his thanks.
Still thinkin' OF goin'?" asked Joe,
obviously.
Jem lifted a flushed, surprised face
and eyes.
Certainly" he answered with calm
emphasis.
"What if you lose yer placer"
"I'll try and manage it so won't.
You see Pm workin' overtime now"
"Twon't make no difference with
him" Joe sighed and nodded.
Nothing more was said. Side by
side, the boy and man toiled, Jem
keeping close watch on the clock.
otis half-past seven, Joe, I'll go
now You'll hardly miss me before
Ill be back Jem took up his old cap.
Somehow wish you wouldn't,
Jem," Joe said huskily, but the boy
was gone.
What aloyely night that was. Apor-
ton of the road to the depot led
through a ittlestrip ofwoods. Thema-
chine shops being just out OF the small
village. The moon was at its full and
shed its soft silver radiance over
everything as with a halo. A dewy
fragrance came up from the moistened
mold, and filed the evening air, to-
/ gether with the redolence of the wild
flowers, coming with a grateful sweet
ness to the flushed face and tired
brain of Jem Mat her, with the
thought of how mother would en-
! Joy this, after the cramped, narrow
life in the great dusty city.
The rustling leaves seemd to whis-
per don't hurry, Jem," but he could
not walk, so ran swiftly along, wiping
the perspiration from his face as he
i went.
Hark the whistle Of the incoming
train-then the low, heavy rumble,
and now, now it is in sight.
The boy took off his ragged cap and
tossed it high in the air. "Hurrahl
hurrah," he shouted, with his blue
| eyes full OF moisture.
He caught sight of the little pale
faced mother looking eagerly from the
cab window, and knew her at once.
The train was running swiftly in.
The station was upon the other sid'
of the tract. One bound to cross it
Mother" he shouted. She heard
him, smiled and waved her hand.
Jem saw it, and then!
There was a loud cutlery, and {
sudden lurch of the train, and tn
cars stood still. Every one had arisen
The little woman among them.
Something had happend. What?
Through the dim and conmotiol
she heard some one speak her boy
name.
"Jem Mother"
Dazed and bewildered, Jem's mothe
reached the platform.
She seemed so alone in all tina
: throng and where was Jem? Wher
was her boy!
Then something was borne swift
past her.
She saw and mutely followed.
! No one seemed to notice the littl
strange woman, or to wonder VIII
she was.
The face, all bruised and bleedin
2 that she odlooking down upon wa
not whittier than her own, and the deaC
sightless eyes held still a smile in the
1 blue depths.
e Some one led her away at length.
e "Come with me, said the rougl
i kindly, tear-filled voice of Joe Walton
( The news had been bornet to the sho
$ at once, and Jem's best friend came.
n Yes, the little mother still lives; Il
4 pale face, whittier gown, and the daI
1 ewes. with look from which the ligl
0 has not all faded, seem always tryiI
d to understand.
G Kind friends have not left her who'll
{ desolate.
t 1.-THE boys" care for her for the sal
s OF the lad who was marked down. ="