The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-05-19

it can't be helped, because If we take
the money"
Jim" Joe interrupted, what q
the use o. talkin' all over creation?
Why don't you come square out an
say you're opposed TO takin' the
money!"
Il amt said / was opposed to
takin' it, joe"
mo; but il you got .speck of
heart in you yon are opposed TO it."
Are you opposed TO it, Joe?"
"Of course / am. I've been op-
posed TO it ever since / see that little
one an heer'd it's weak voice a-beg-
GIN that onery rascal not to take all
the money. That sneakin' scamp
looked so cussed mean settin' there
waitin' TO rob that sick child that /
Jest wanted to kick him out o. the
country. / made .up my mind then
an there that nobody wasn't goin'
TO touch that money II ] could help
It,"
Jim made no reply, but took toe's
hand in his and gave ii a hearty
pressure. They stood for some time
in silence, then Joe resumed in q
softened tone:
"Jim," he said, 81 never felt SO
cussed onery in all my life as l did
when / stood thar by that winder an
watched that sneakin' thief an that
poor little sick gal, an remembered
what we had come thar for. jest
loaked at that feller settin' thar an /
imagined he was me, an felt like
bloody wolf ready to spring down on
pore leetle helpless lamb"
Them was jest my feelin's, Joe,
Jim replied. Somehow the way
that leetle gal pleaded with that
scamp teched my heart awful deep,
an her talk bout her old home took
me right back to my boyhood days,
when / was as young an innocent as
her. could jest see my old home
with its shady, bluegrass pasture,
an its red clover meaders, an the lit
tie branches OF clear water, an all
that. But, palmer than all, Joe, /
could see an old couple settin' on the
long porch in the shade OF the big To-
Gust trees, one Of 'em a gray-haired
man, and the other gray-haired
woman, but both OF 'em as kind sn'
lovin' as father an mother could
be. An, Joe, when | see my old
mothers face, jest as it used to look,
AN remembered what / came here
for, 'peared like Jest wanted to sink
right slap down into the ground an
never see daylight ag'in. / had a
good mother, il thar ever was one,
an she never dreamed that I'd ever
come to be thief"
Joe was silent save for the sound
that was like long, low sigh. He
drew his hand across his eyes and
turned his head away, and for almost
minute stood perfectly still. FL
nally he said:
Jim, I've got long way from my
home an its early teachin's, but |
amt got away from my mother. Now
Pm goin' to lead different life. We
amt stole nothing yet, an it amt
too late to turn back. Pm goin' to be
an honest man, an that little gal has
saved me. God bless her!"
A moment later they entered the
cabin and asked permission to remain
till morning.
You see," Jim said to the set
tier, "the robber might come back,
an il he does you'll need somebody
to protect you"
Yes" the settler replied, "an'
I'm glad to have two honest men like
you in the house"
Jim and Joe exchanged sheepish
glance, but ventured to make no re-
ply.
At an early hour the next morning
the settler harnessed his team and
prepared to begin the long eastward
journey. Jim and Joe helped him to
arrange bed in the wagon, and when
all was ready Jim brought the little
girl in his arms and placed her on it.
He handled her almost as tenderly as
IA mother would, and after laying her
down saw that she was perfectly COM
Portable. Then he stood for mo-
ment, hesitating and undecided, cast
ing yearning looks at the child's face.
Finally he said, little pleadipgly:
SISSY IL Nou uOIl 4 iiiihu ~ wv
much | wish you would kiss me jest
once.
II don't mind it at all, A." the child
said" putting up her arms and lips,
cause like you. You save d the
money for us SO we can 60 home, an
you're honest an good too, amt
you?"
Jim flushed scarlet, and for an in
slant cast his eyes down. But di-
rectly he looked boldly up, and with
his eyes on the girls face, replied: {:
Yes, sissy, | am an honest man,
thanks to you, an I'll always be one,
too. d"
Joe stepped forward, and without
word stopped for kiss. There
were tears in his eyes when he raised
his head and, turning about, walked
back and stood leaning against the
cabin door.
A few minutes later the wagon
rolled away across the broad level