Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-09-08
WHY BADGER WAS BLUE.
His Story of Home, Sweet Home
Explained It All.

II was the regular weekly rehearsal
Of the banjo club. The playing had
been unusually good that night, and
consequently we were In particularly
happy spirits. The stories were more
spicy. the jokes more clever, and, talk
ing II all In all, we enjoyed more
laughs at cvcrybody's wit and at every
bodys expense than at any other meet
ing Of the year
But pardon a correction. II Is not
true that we were all in good spirits,
for Jim Badger, usually the jollicst fell
low in the whole club, had sat back
against the wall the entire evening.
and had contributed neither word nor
smile to the general fund of amuse-
mcnt. However, this was not an un-
heard-of occurrence, and Jim was such
n mighty fine fellow that ! suppose we
imposed on his good nature when he
had an "off" night like this, and made
him the butt of more jokes than was
really kind. hut he always kept right
on playing, never needing the thought
less shafts that were thrown at him,
and seeming to find comfort in the
strings Of his instrument.
How he did play that night! Good
ness! it seemed ms II that banjo actual
ly talked-and think II did. to Jim.
Well. we had played our last piece
and were putting our banjos in their
cases, ready to go to our rooms. Jim
was Just passing out the door without
his usual Goodnight, boys" when
Sam Watson called to him;
Say, Jim, old man, you're not feel
ing very jolly tonight, are you? Here's
n little song may cheer your walk
home"
With that Watson commenced to play
Home, Sweet Home" punctuating II
with those slurring, crying notes that
arc made by sliding the finger up the
string.
Jim turned quickly. There was an
angry flash in his eyes but for only u
moment, and then hc said, softly:
please don't, Sam. II you knew what
that song means to me you wouldn't
use IL for n joke
There was the fnintcst suggestion of
tear in his eye. Sam saw he had
gone too far, and said, with honest rcui-
tencc: Forgive me, Jim. Twas ciIly
in fun, you know; and IL you don't
mind, old fellow, let us have your
story. Perhaps IL will cheer you up
and help us to understand you better. "
"Ycs, think II will" Jim went baclr
to his seat, leaned his banjo against
the wall, and after a moments nedita-
ton began, 81 don't much believe In n
fellows talking about himself, but II
you will listen for awhile may be able
to explain why have the blues every
now and then.
"Thc summer after my sophomore
year spent among the foothills OF
the Rockies, out in Colorado. One at
ternoon In September dozen or so Of
us started out with rifles, hop
ing to stir up little game
somewhere, but my horse had
hurt his foot quite badly, and was
unable TO keep up with the others, 10
told them to go ahead and not TO mind
me. watched them out Of sight and
then turned toward home; but before
going very far found had forgotten
the road. Considering the lamcuess Of
my horse, and knowing we had, at
best, long distance TO travel, con-
cluded my best plan was to put in a.
the first house until morning. II was
already dark, and we Travelled some
miles before seeing light. The horse
seemed to know that II meant rest and
shelter for him, so he ambled along
more courageously, and another mile
brought MS TO the door, where l dis
mounted and raped loudly.
FAN old woman answered my sum
mons, but before | had a chance to
speak she said, in hoarsc whisper:
| SSH Thar's sick man In here,
stranger, an yer mustn't make SO much
noise
~ npologizcd for my rudcness, ex-
| planning that ! had lost my way and
would like shelter for the night, and
adding that perhaps l might be Of some
assistance to her
"'Reckon yer kin, stranger she re-
piled, fer hain't slep' night these
two weeks. Come in
~ entered the room and saw on n
bed in one corner an old man who
seemed to be just lingering between
life and death. The old nurse did not
look much better. In fact, she seemed
so worn out by loss OF sleep that I
asked her to instruct me about the
medicines and allow me to watch in
her place. She was soon asleep, and I
sat by the bed wondering at the
strange circumstances that had brought
me there. looked at the sick man
and was bit startled to see his great
eyes staring steadily at me.
AT length he spoke: Guess I'm bout
through, amt I, stranger
"'llope not replied, here is your
medicinei and reached for the bottle.
"'No. Ruther talk he interrupted
'Whar yer frum?'
Massachusetts,. live in Cambridge
and am a student at the college there.
THE old man started 'Y'are?' he
asked, eagerly, rising on his elbows.
Harvard? P'r'aps yer know my boyi
Vas, sirl I've got II boy thar, hevl
II don't know I'm alvin though, fer
haiufl RaAn him ainaa h. xy.r m vnuuo.