, 1897-03-24

"Jim, go out to the barn and see if Kit
is all right. Bring in an armful of old
shingles that are just inside the door
and fill Up the WATERFALL. Then we'll 60
Off 10 bed and get up early and &c
a-tishing."
l didn't say a word, but l went out
to the barn, bcdded down the horse,
broke up an armful of shingles, pumped
mp Il pailful of water, filled the wood
box and then we all went to bed.
Father called me at half past 4 in the
morning, and while he was getting
breakfast l skipped over to the depot,
cross lots, and got my best bass rod. Fa-
ther took nothing but a trolling line
IL Il spoon hook. He rOwed the boat,
with the trolling line in his mouth,
while | stood i'll the stern with Il silver
rugged sinner OH. Now, John, 1 never
saw a man catch fish as he did.
At noon we went ashore and father
went home, while l went to the post
office. l got Il letter from Chicago. with
Il check fer 1000 in it. With some
trouble | got it cashed, getting paid in
s. and $40 bills, making quite u roll. l
then got a roast joint of beef, with a
lot of d~elicacies, and had them sent
home. After that ] went visiting among
my old schoolmatCs for two hours and
went home. Mother had put on her only
silk dress and father had donned his
Sunday go to meeting clothes, none too
good either. This is where I PLAYED q
joke on the old folks. Mother was in
the kitchen watching the roast. Father
was out to the barn, and | had a clear
coast. l dumped the sugar out Of the
old blue bowl, put the 81. 600 in it and
placed the V on again. At last sup
per was ready. Father asked a blessing
over it. and he actually trembled when
he stuck his knife into the roast.
1--WE haven't had a piece of meat like
that in five years, Jim,' he said, and
mother put i'll with, "And we haven't
had any coffee in u year, only when we
went visiting"
Then she poured out the coffee and
lifted the V Of the sugar bowl, ask.
ing as she did SO, How many spoon
fuls, Jimmy?'
Then she struck something that was
not sugar. She picked up the bowl and
pcercd into it. AHA, Master Jimmy,
playing your old tricks on your mann
my, eh? Well, boys will be boys
Then she gaspcd for breath. She saw
it was monty. She looked at me and
then at father; then with trembling
fingers drew out the great roll of bills.
Ha, ha, hn! can see father now, as
he stood there on tiptoe, with his knife
in IL hand, his fork in the other, and
his eyes fairly Bullying out of his head.
But it was too much for mother. She
raised her eyes slowly to heaven and
said, Put your trust in the Lord, for
he will provide"
Then she tainted away. Well, John,
there is not much more to tell. We
threw water i'll her face and brought her
to. Then we demolished that dinner,
mother all the time saying: MY boy
Jimmy! My boy JIMMY"
l staid Il month. / fixed up the place,
paid off all the debts, had a good time
and came back to New York. 1 am 60
ing to send $50 home every week. 1 tell
you, John, it is mighty nice to have a
home.
John was looking steadily at the head
Of his Il When he spoke, he took
Jim by the hand and said: Jim, old
frlend, what you have told me has af-
fected me greatly. haven't heard from
my home away up In Maine for ten
years. Il am going home tomorrow. -
Lulu Michel in st. Louis Post Dispatch.