San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-12-19

son, so affectionate, so thoughtful-her
Jamie.
She wondered is he was going to send
her another of her queer American
pictures. Yes, there was no doubt
that he would do it. Her Jamie would
not forget her, and had he not sent her
the same all along.
She took a little oak box from
drawer in table near. She opened it
and turned its contents upon the bed
My. she did not know that she had so
many pictures. But each time she
looked at them they seemed more to
her. She picked some up and examin-
ed them carefully. How queer they
were to her-the American Christmas
pictures. And she would receive an
other that morning.
Hearing a step on the walk outside,
she hastily replaced the papers and
closed the box, returning it to its form
er place. The step did not sound as
light as Flora's or as quick. She
drew herself up, not without much diff
ficulty and pain to the window and
looked out. She started.
The ragged figure of man toiled
slowly up the walk, leaning heavily
upon stick. His head was bowed
upon his breast. and she could not see
his face.
Poor fellow" she exclaimed sympa-
thetically to herself, having controlled
her nervousness, you have come to a
poor place-a very poor place, indeed,
for help. Poor man. would that |
had it to give youn'
The tramp was at the door. He hes
itated. He raised his head. He saw
her.
Mrs. McGregor's eyes were dealated;
her senses reeled. Her son. She was
not-she could not be mistaken-it was
indeed her Jamie. The next instant
she was in his arms.
1t would indeed be hard to depict
with pen the emotions of such con
nected being at such a time. Their
own looks and caresses. clearer than
any words they themselves could ut
ter, We're but poor representatives of
their feelings. Suffice it to say that
Mrs. McGregor, whose emotion, per-
haps, was the more intense, was never
theleSs the first to regain her cOmpo-
sure.
God knows | am glad to see you,'
she said. But jamie, why such attire
your wealth."
Gone, mother, gone! and | am
tramp, Il beggar. My business failed
a month ago, through general de-
preston of trade and the dishonesty of
my employees and am in debt for over
a thousand dollars. But you, mother?
How old. how ill you look. My poor
mother. And you to have suffered
much. Come, give me something TO
eat. mother. | haven't eaten today.
Nothing in the house to eat? Had
nothing to eat yourself since yester-
day? Ny God! could this be? MY
moor mother, not a cent of the money l
sent YOU left? Thought the last would
do you long"
"What money? My poor boy, your
letters and some queer Christmas
cards were all that | received from
YOU. You said nothing in your let
tiers about money, jamie
II did not think it was necessary.
But, mother, | sent you no christmas
pictures"
Mrs. McGregor got the box from the
table drawer and its contents was us
solved. . :,
"See jamie" she said, 1.-The pictures
'.Pictures." he exclaimed, taking the
box from her in his excitement. why
these are bank notes. oh, l see IL all
now. In this out-Of-the-way place
bank notes are seldom used; scarcely
anything but silver. Come to thlnE
about it now. l do not remember 10
have ever seen them about here my
self. Why do you stare at me so,
mother? Don't you understand:
These are bank notes, acceptaple d.
any bank in Great Britain-the none!
l sent you mother