The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-06-14

open, he stood itresolute 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
''Will you come in, sirP' said the
same feeble, gentle voice; then as
Billy stepped IN with some embarrass-
ment she continued, "What is your er
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.
'FYou are widow, are you notP" he
asked
eyes," she replied, raising herself
hastily on one elbow as he spoke.
''You must forgive q 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, edo
you live in this part of the country?
Are you a cowboy from one of the
ranches? Excuse me, 1 am partly
blind"
'Yes," 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, / know, for you have
neither the speech nor manners of the
people Where did you come fromP
Tell me, 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. Ny home was in
New Haven, Conn, God bless it, and 1
came West eight years ago. Since
then l have met with many varied ex-
periences. I've tasted the sweetness
of prosperity and the bitterness of adj
versity. About year ago l had
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-
tion. But 1 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.
''But am forgetting my errand, "
continued Billy. 'My friends and 1
have brought you a little offering,
which hope will be acceptable. 1t
should be, for it is present from the
good church 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 a ray
of light stole through the half-closed
blinds and fell upon the woman's face.
''My God /" He started back paleT
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 thousand times that 1 have
found you at last"
In the meantime his companions out
side were becoming impatient.
"Wonder what's keepin' tn feller so
long" said one of them; che could a
gave the widder tn money q 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 a curious expression on h. Z
face.
"Wel, what's up, Spot?" he was
asked.
81 du' know" replied Spot, scratch
ing his head "'pears like Billy's gone
and got mashed ON tn widder. 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 ap-
) peared at the door with his sombrero
pulled well down over his eyes.
Boys" he stammered, and the
strong mans lips quiyered-"boys
there's an old lady inside who wants to
know my friends. Come in. It's my
mother, The Californian.