Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-03-10

81 think if might spend the night
at home | could bring you some inior-
nation that would prove int erestinu
ii not helpful"
go, by all MEANS" quickly re-
sponded Mr.. Mann, as he handed her
a check for two weeks wages, "bring
us all the information you can and
we will see that you are suitably re-
warded."
The Junior hurried onto the street
to call a cab. and had stopped to pur.
chase a basket of choice fruit and q
cluster OF spicy carnations. In less
than an hour Miss Slocum was seated
IN the cab, the Junior opposite, the
carnations tucked into her belt, and
being driven at n furious pace to the
railway station.
MIR. Boise was evidently q little sur
prlsed at himself, and seemed to try
to apologize for his presence by urg-
ing her to bring an array OF facts that
would settle any law suit in the land.
She listened patiently, but her
thoughts had flown ahead to the
mother and brother who would be so
glad at her unexpected visit. She also
felt confident that in certain trunk
she would find papers that would
prove interesting to several persons,
among them the kindly old man in
she uptown Office, and the handsome
gallant who was acting as her escort.
MIR. Boise found her comfortable
seat, gave her the eveningpaper, asked
her on what train she would return,
lowered the window, said a dozen
things about the weather, and then,
as the train gave sudden jar, handed
her the fruit. saying, "For your
mother, with the firms compliments.
Goodbye, Miss Slocum.''
The tea-tabie was set for supper. A
bright fire was burning in the little
open stove, and before itknelt O. wom-
an whose silver hair did not disguise
the youthful face that flushed in the
freight. looked almost girlish.
"Mother, if Hittie were here we
would have peach jam on our toast,
wouldn't WEI"
"No, George, it shall be peaches and
cream, and Hittie had stopped down
and kissed the boyish face, while the
mother rose hastily to greet her
daughter.
"How did you come? How do you
like it? How long can you stay?"
"On the cars.-Very nuch.-Back
tomorrow" laughed the happy girl.
"Now you're answered, and while
Dearest cuts up the lovely peaches
that were sent her with the firms
compliments, I'll get the butter and
cream and set the tea a-steeping"
The carnations were putin q dainty
vase in the center OF the table, the
white grapes and purple plu1ns lay
cool and tempting on a plate OF fine
china, the toast was hot and brown in
it's rack Of silver wire, and while the
meal was a simple one three happy
faces were bowed O. moment in silent
thanksgiving before they began their
repast. What long talk these three
had after the supper dishes were put
away, and Hittic asked questions in
Vulnerable concerning the father she
so indistinctly remembered, and of the
home where they had lived before
coming West! She had heard the
story often, but tonight it seemed
harder to bear than ever before, and
she held her mothers hand tightly as
they wept over the unknown grave OF
their soldier dead.
When Hittie had said goodnight
and closed the door OF the room be-
hind her, she went at once to a little
trunk that h ad been put in her clothes
room. Carefully she looked through
package and bundle, and put upon
paper some items that were lndis-
putable. Carefully she re read:
George Denham Slocuu, born 1927.
Fathers name, Frank Slocum. Moth
er's name, Mary Denham. Bought
and lived on farm nine miles from
Louisville, KY. Both parents buried
on the old farm. George D. Slocum
married Mehitable Blank, of Kentucky,
June4, 1857. Two children were born,
Mehitable and George, Jr. The old
farm should have belonged to George
D., but bis father died without will,
and his mother, old and feeble, let the
farm on shares. She died soon after
George was reported dead, and Mrs.
Slocum, alone and without means,
moved to little Western town, where
she had supported her children by
teaching.
When Miss Slocum reached the office
that September morning. end laid up
on the Seniors desk the little package
containing few photographs, GER
teficate OF marriage, and the written
items as we have given them, the hand
Mr.. Mann took in greeting was cold,
and trembled in his fatherly grasp.
Mr.. Boise speedily made his appear
ance, and as he said "good morning"
noticed that one bright carnation was
fastened in the pin at her throat.
Whatever thought of a sentimental
nature may have entered his brain
was speedily dispelled by the long, low
whistle from the Senior as he said
quickly: '"Tell us how you came by
this. Do you know who George SIo-
cum was-or is?
"Mr. Mann, George Slocum was my
father, and he sleeps upon an unknown
grave upon some Southern battle
field"
There was moments silence, and
the kindly old man held out his hand.
'"There is no doubt but this will
change everything everything for you,
my dear. think will run down to
Cnnnapvil1o or1 COO ro,,r ~, IT how ord