The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-01-25
full of old shingles that are just inside the
door and fill up the water pail. Then
we'll 20 off to bed and get up early and

door and hil up the water pail. leu
we'll 90 off to bed and get up early and
go a-fshiDg.'
81 didn't say word, but went out to
the barn, bedded down the horse, brought
up pail Of water, filled the woodbox,
and then we all went to bed.
"Father called me at 80 in the morn
ing, and while he was getting a cup Of
coffee. skipped over to the depot cross
lots and got my best bass rod. Father
took nothing but trolling line and
spoon hook. He rowed the boat, with
the trolling line in his mouth, while
stood in the stern with silver sinner
rugged on. Now, John, I never saw 8
man catch 6sh as be did. To make q
long story short, be cHhght four bass and
FIVE pickerel, and l never got bite.
"At noon we went ashore, and father
went home, while 1 went to the post
office. l got letter from Chicago with
a check for 81 900 in it. With some
trouble I got it cashed, getting paid in
S. and $40 bills, making roll. l then
got a joint roast of beef and lot of deli
cacies, aud had them sent home. After
that, I went visiting among my old
schoolmates for two hours and went
home. The joint was in the oven
Mother had put on her only silk dress,
and father had donned his Sunday 60 to-
meeting clothes-noue too good, either
This is where I played joke on the old
folks. Mother was in the kitchen watch.
ing the roast. Father was out to the
barn, and had clear coast. / dumped
the sugar out of the old blue bowl, put
the thousand dollars In it. and placed the
cover on again. At last supper was
ready. Father asked blessing over it,
and be actually trembled when he stuck
his knife in the roast.
"We haven't had piece of meat like
that in FIVE years, Jim,' be said, and
mother put in with, And we haven't had
any coffee in a year, only when. ne went
a visiting
"Theu she poured out the coffee and
lifted the cover of the sugar bowl, asking
as she did 30, 'How many spoonfuls,
jimmy
"Then she struck sometbing that
wasn't sugar. She picked up the bowl
and peered into it. AHA, Master Jim.
my, playin' your old tricks on your nam
my, eh? Well, boys will be boys
"Then she gasped for breath. She saw
it was money. She looked at me, then
at father, and then with trembling fingers
drew the great roll of bills out.
"Ha hal ha! l can see father now,
as he stood there, then on tiptoe, with
his knife iu one hand, fork in the other,
and his eyes fairly bulging out of his
head. But it WAS too much for mother
She raised her eyes to heaven and slowly
said, Pat your trust in the Lord, for he
will PROVIDE
"Then Bhe tainted away. Well, John,
there's not much more to tell. We threw
water in her face and brought her to-
and then we demolished that dinner,
mother all the time saying, MY boy
Jimmy My boy Jimmyl'
II stayed home for month. fixed
up the place, paid of all the debts, he'd
a good time, and came back again to
New York. am goin to send $50 home
every week. I tell you, John, it's mighty
nice to have home"
John vas looking steadily at the head
ofhis cspe. When he spoke, he took
Jim by the hand aud said; "Jim old
friend, what you have told NE has affect
ed me greatly. l haven't heard from my
tome, way up in Maine, for ten years
Pm goiog bone Tomorrow"