Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-02-19
THE TATTOOED FOOT.

his little child-his treasure. his most
precious thing on earth. He must go
home and tell his mother that the boy
was not found. All his life he had
dreaded this-all the little life of that
baby boy.
Often IN the night had the thought
30 overcome him that he had stolen
from his bed in the darkness to feel
the little head of his sleeping boy on
the pillow of his crib. Only once.
once he was forced to tell his wife.
That was when he tattooed the child's
foot
Right on the iustep he had marked
it with little blue w. 1t was pain
full every prick hurt him worse than
it did the boy; and the mother. coming
home, had been angry and grieved.
Now it had come. The foolish fear
was realized. Lost or stolen, the boy
was gone, and that tattoo mark was
the only thing that comforted him.
They spent their small means in ad-
vertising. They posted notices OF
their loss on the walls. All in vain.
After others knew that they followed
a forloru hope, they still pursued it as
earnestly as ever. And so the weeks
rolled by; the months faded; the years
followed. Theirs was hard case.
No other children came to these
people. and they were very miserable.
The man seemed crushod-he had
neither ambition nor energy. The
woman went about her daily toll in a
dull, listless manner. Their hair grew
gray and their brows wrinkled very
early.
At last they seemed to stand alone
in the world; old acquaintance and
relatives were gone or had forgotten
them.
A far away relative died and left
them little fortune. He had not
taken much notice OF them during his
life, but no had given them thought
on his death bed. They were COM
paratively rich. When they knew it
the same thought came to each at
once. The woman uttered it first
MARTIN" said she. perhaps we can
find our boy after all. He will come
to us-I feel sure OF tat last, Mar
tin. at last"
Eyes. it may be so. Agnes" the
man said. ''It may be so; the time
has been long, the days woeful; but
we may be happy after all that is gone.
Agnes. believe it will be So"
They kissed each other and made
ready for the journey. which they
needs must take to enter upon their
inheritance.
The first evening in the new house
was almost happy.
agnes, we must put this cash away
in a bank tomorrow" said the hus-
band. counting over II roll OF notes.
at is not safe TO keep it here, and we
must be careful, we have that to do
which must make US economical.
Yes, Martini said his wife, as she
held the light for him, and he locked
the small, old-fashioned safe.
Afterward, in the dark. their heads
close together on the pillow. the elderly
couple talked on, dreaming like
children.
Hank" said Agnes, what is that?'
They listened. A low. grating SOUND
at the door below. regular and care
fully subdued-a click-a crack.
Someone is trying to break in.
said Martin.
Agnes hid her face in the pillows
They were alone in lonely house OF
a lonely road. They had several thou
sand dollars in their possession. Martin
was not powerful man, and, thougl
he had pistol there might be two o
three against one. and then there wa
little hope for him.
He arose and took his weapon in hi
; hand, and felt about in the dark TO
matches. And Agnes heard "a creaS
ing of the flooring and the sound {
mutfied footsteps. and also sprung
the floor.
"They are at the safe below" erie
Martin. agnes, the monev-th
. money Tor our BOY. "! IL my lie
lost Tor its sake, ] cannot lose that.
cannot cannot
Martin! Martin! Stay-do not e
What can you do one man alone?
screamed Agnes.
But he was gone. She was alone
the darkness. 1t was all over in
4 moment. There we're shots. oatbs-
fall--silence. She crept down stairs
trembling, so that she could scarcel
stand. Leaning against the safe W;
!, her husband. blood upon his sleev
,. on the floor lay man. IN era!
:, mask. stitfening in death.
;. Martin" sobbed the woman. Ma
u TIM
o II have killed him. cried the ma
- ssEacfan tho 6nOr mt IN tho ora