The Republican., 1894-05-24

| can't git away from here without that
money, can it?"
Pears like it can't" Joe said.
st was right touchin' to hear it talk
about the old home an the way it
grieved to go back there, wasn't it,
Joe?"
''Yes; right touchin', jim"
"An' it seems like it would be great
pity if the little one couldn't go, when
it's heart is so set on it, don't it?'
'Yes, it does"
IAN awful pity" Jim said, musingly.
But" he added, 81 reckon it can't
be helped, because If we take the
money"
'Jim," Joe interrupted, "what's the
use O. talkin' all over creation? Why
don't you come square out an say
you're opposed to takin' the money!"
81 amt said was opposed to takin'
it, joe"
mo; but if you got speck of heart
in you you are opposed to it"
Are you opposed to it, Joe?'
'Of course | am. I've been opposed
to it ever since l see that little ope an
heerd its weak voice a-beggin' 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, l made up my
mind then an there that nobody wasn't
goin' to touch that money if L could
help it"
Jim made no reply but took Joe's
hand in his and gave it hearty pres
sure. They stood for some time in
silence, then Joe resumed in a softened
tone:
Jim" he said, 81 never felt so
cussed onery in all my life as did
when l stood thar by that winder an
watched that sneakin' thief an that
poor leetle sick gal, an remembered
what we had come thar for. It's bad
enough to steal at best, but when it
comes to robbin' a sick child that amt
no mother, it's so pizen, low-down mean
that old Satan himself ud be ashamed
of the feller that does it. jest looked
at that feller settin' thar an imagined
he was me, an / felt like a bloody wolf
ready to spring down on pore leetle
helpless lamb"
Them was jest my feelin's, joe"
Jim replied 81 felt sneakir'er than a
suckin' dog 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 l 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 little branches of
clear water. an all that. But, palmer
than all, l could see an old couple
settin' on the long porch in the shade
of the big locust trees, one of 'em a
gray-haired man and the other gray
haired woman, but both of 'em as kind
an lovin' as a father an mother could
be. An Joe, when l see my old
mothers face, jest as it used to look,
an remembered what come here for,
'peared like | jest wanted to sink right
slap down into the ground an never
see daylight ag'in. | had a good
mother, if thar ever was one, an she
never dreamed that I'd ever come to be
a thief"
Joe was silent save for 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. Finally he said:
Jim, I've got long way from my
home an its early teachin's, but |
amt got away from my mother. Now
I'm goin' to lead different life. We
amt stole nothin' yet, an it amt too
late to turn back. I'm goin' to be an
honest man, au' that little gal has
saved me. God bless herr
A moment later they entered the
cabin and asked permission to remain
till morning.
"You see," Jim said to the settler,
1.-THE robber might come back, an if 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 no reply.
At an early hour next morning the
settler harnessed his team and prepared
to begin the long eastward journey.
Jim and Joe helped him to arrange a
bed in the wagon, and when all was
ready Jim brought out the little girl in
his arms and placed her on it He han
died her almost as tenderly as mother
would, and after laying her down saw
that she was perfectly comfortable.
Then he stood for moment, hesitat-
ing and undecided, casting yearning
looks at the little child's face. Finally
he said, little pleadingly:
Sissy, if you don't mind it too much,
l wish you would kiss me jest once"
'I don't mind it at all" the child
said, putting up her arms and lips,
"'cause l like you. You saved the
money for us so we can go home, an
you're honest an good too, AIM your
jim flushed scarlet, and for an in
slant cast his eyes down. But directly
he looked boldly up, and with his eyes
on the girls face replied:
Eyes, Sissy, l am an honest man,
thanks to you, an I'll always be one,
too"
Joe stepped forward, and without a
word stopped for a kiss. There were
tears in his eyes when he raised his
head and, turning about, walked back
and stood leaning against the cabin