Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1896-11-27

herself. instead of fearing and a curl
Gus feeling of nearness and expectancy
made her feel not so much light-heart-
ed as light-headed.
Il feel Just as if somethin' was goin'
to happen" she said. "Poor Johnny
Harris. perhaps he's thinkin' o. me, if
he's alive"
1t was dark now out of doors, and
there were tiny clicks against the win
dow. 1t was beginning to snow, and
the great elms cresked in the rising
wind overheard.
A dead limb of one of the old trees
had fallen that autumn, and poor fire
wood, as it had been, it was Mrs. Robb's
own, and she had burnt it most thank
fully. There was only a small armful
left, but at least she could have the lux
ury of fire. She had a feeling that it
was her last night at home, and with
strange reckness she began to fill the
stove as she used to do in better days.
"I'll get me good and warm" she
said, still talking to herself, as lonely
people do, "an' I'll go to bed early. It's
comm on to storm" The snow clicked
faster and faster against the window,
and she sat alone thinking in Ike dark.
"There's lots o. folks love-" she said
once. They'd be sorry amt got no
body to come and no supper the night
afOre Thanksgiving. Pm dreadful glad
they don't know And she drew a lit
tie nearer to the fire and laid her head
back drowsily on the old rocking chair.
1t seemed only moment before there
was a loud knocking and somebody
lifted the latch of the door. The fire
shone brightly through the front of the
old stove and made little light in the
room, but Mary Ann Robb walked up
frightened aud bewildered.
"Whose there" she called, as she
found her crutch and went to the door
She was conscious of only her one great
fear. They've come to take me 10 the
poorhouse," she said, and burst into
tears.
iACAS was tai IMAM tOb JOiiA
der who seemed to fill the narrow door
way.
"Come, let me in" he said gaily, ats
a cold night. You didn't expect me,
did you, mother Robb?"
"Dear mel What is It," she faltered,
back as he came in and drop
ping her crutcb. "Be I dreamin'3 I
was a-dreamin about o. therel What
was a-sayin'i 'Tain't truel No, I've
made some kind of a mistake" Yes,
this was the man who kept the poor
house, and she would go without COM
plant; they might have given her no
tice, but she must not fret.
"Sit down, sir" she said, turning to- ,
ward him with touching patience. :
You'll have to give me little time. II !
I'd been notified I wouldn't have kept ,
you waiting a minute this cold night" !
It was not the keeper. The man by the
ioor took one step forword and put his
lrm around her and kissed her.
HWhat are you talkin' about?" said 6
ohm Harris. You amt goin 20 make :.
ne feel like stranger. I've come all
he way from Dakota to spend Thanks ;,
Twin. There's all sorts O. things out 6
ere in the wagon, an man to help get 4
m in. Why-don't you cry so, Mother
,obb. 1 thought you'd have a great :,
augh if 1 come an surprised you. 7,
,on't you remember l said l should?" >,
1t was John Harris indeed. The poor :.
oul could say nothing. She felt now -
5 if her heart was going to break with u
W. He left her in the rocking-chair
nd came and went in his old bonny
ay, bringing in his store of gifts and =,
rovisions. 1t was better than any n.
-eam. He laughed and talked and |.
ent out to send the man to bring
agonful of wood from John, Mander's
i'd came in himself laden with pieces
the nearest fence to keep the fire
ing in the meantime. They must ~
ok the steak for supper right away ="
ey must find the package of tea among ~
the other bundles; they must get
cd fires started in both the bed rooms. 90
by, Mother Robo didn't seem to be ~
ady for company from out westl The
eat cheerful fellow hurried about the Gle
y house, and the little, old woman FIR
,ped after him, forgetting everything ba,
hospitality. Had not she house 60,
John to come to? Were not her old =
airs and tables in their places still? frs
ID he remembered everything and has
sed her as they stood before the fire son
Is che ,yare c,i-I