Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1893-06-08

1pen, he stood irresolute upon the
threshold. The light in the room WAS
Dim, and he could indistinctly see a
figure stretched on low couch in the
farther corner.
Twill you come in, STRIP said the
same feeble, gentle voice; then as
Billy stepped in with some embarrass-
ment she continued, ''What is your err
rand, sir ?"
He tried to think of means by
which he could delicately and accept
ably deliver his message of charity, but
finding none he was obliged to make
known his errand as simply as possible,
trusting to the inspiration of the mo-
ment to help him out
you are widow, are you moi? ?" he
asked.
Yes" sho replied, raising herself
hastily on one elbow as he spoke.
"You must forgive stranger,
madam, for coming to you with so little
ceremony and asking such question,
but the truth is, I've"
TELL me, sir" she interrupted, "do
you live in this part of the country?
Are you cowboy from one of the
ranches? Excuse me, ! am partly
blind"
eyes" he said, 81 live here and I
am cowboy"
''How long have you been following
this occupation? How long have you
been in Colorado? You were not born
in the West, l know, for you have
neither the speech nor manners of the
people. Where did you, come from?
Tell me, I implore you.
Billy looked at the form dimly out,
lined before him in blank astonish-
ment.
''Why, madam, I'm perfectly will,
ing to tell you. My home was in
New Haven, Conn, God bless it, and
came West eight years ago. Since
then have met with many varied ex-
periences I've tasted the sweetness
of prosperity and the bitterness of adj
versity. About year ago / had a
comfortable sum of money and was
preparing to return to the East, when
by an unhappy speculation Host it all !;
then l drifted into my present situa-
ton. But l mean to accomplish some
thing before l go home again to my
dear old mother" There was charm
ing youthful ring of hopefulness in his
voice which his eight years of trying
experiences had failed to obliterate.
The widow dropped back on her
couch and was perfectly still.
'sBut am forgetting my errand, y
continued Billy. my friends and I
have brought you little offering,
which [ hope will be acceptable. 1t
should be, for it is present from the
good church-members of the village,
who beg you will accept it with their
compliments
He advanced to the side of the couch
and bent down to place the contents of
his hat in her lap. AS he did so ray
of light stole through the half-closed
blinds and fell upon the woman's face.
my Godr' He started back paler
than his companion, while the hat
dropped heavily to the floor. The
next moment he was kneeling beside
the couch clasping the wasted form in
his strong young arms, his frame
shaken by violent sobs.
"Willys, dear WHY'S, have been
seeking you all over the West for the
last five years. Thank God, oh, thank
Him a thousand times that 1 have
found you at last"
In the meantime his companions out,
side were becoming impatient.
''Wonder what's keepin tn Teller so
long, said one of them che could q
gave the widder tn money hundred
times over during tn time he's been in
| there"
81 should think he could. Tell you
what. I'll just creep aroun' t. tn win
| der n see what he's up t" said Spot,
suiting the action to the words. Drop
ping on his knees, he cautiously peered
through the half-closed blinds. The
next moment he had fallen backward,
and was soon fastening to his COM
rades with curious expression on his
face.
well, what's up, Spot?" he was
asked.
81 du' know, - replied Spot, scratch.
ing his head "'pears like Billys gone
and got mashed on TIL widdcr. He's
down on his knees fore tn bed a-hold.
in her in his arms"
A hearty laugh went round the
crowd. At that moment Billy APP
peared at the door with his sombrero
pulled well down over his eyes,
Boys" he stammered, and the
strong mans lips quivered-'boys
there's an old lady inside who wants to
know my friends. Come in. It's my
mother. "-The Californian.
England's Pl0wed Land Diminished.