The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1897-11-27
take what they camp 'gitSor a.hoss now.

Some people who Raw old Cissel go.
irg into Ann Earpss said. that he walk.
ed as if he were growing young again,
but his former landlady's face was SO.
we're and unapproachable as she answer.
ed his knock - ~
II have come to pay the bill. an.
inounced the old man, whereupon Mrs,
Earp's face relaxed, and she invited
him into the warm dining room
"a ''Pore people, she said apologetical-
ly as she received the money. lis some
times forced to do hard things, but if
you've sold the boss I'll be-glad to give
you the room again
"a The room in question was back of the
dining room The door between was
open, 1T must be warm too. Old Cissel
bowed aud thanked her. but he did not
accept. ais
Mrs. Washington smiled benignly
when she in turn received her money.
"It's the last day of the weeks board,
said old Cissel. Il git my supper.
Z "Laws, you amt gunno leave?" cried
Mrs Washington. lyon amt mad at
what / said yesterday? l was called on
for money myself and was put to. If I'd
know you was gunno sell the boss so
early ] wouldn't said word Washin'-
ton won t half like it if let you go. ,.
"I've made other arrangement, said
old Cissel. Il jest git my supper; that's
all. "
He left. the house after supper.
Coin back to Ann Earp's, s'pose,"
said Mrs, Washington sneeringly, Ito
have the tick took off again when the
boss moneys spent. Well, reckon it's
best to;be shed of him now"
The old man sat in the gentlemens
waiting room until very late. He was
congratulated several times upon the
sale of his horse. He was told that he,
at any rate, had something to. be thank
full for, but he looked very, very old.
''Bub best take him eff he wants
him, said the cowboys among them
selves He's holdin out pretty study
for 17-year-old boy" So
When old Cissel quilted the station,
he did not go to Mrs. Earps, as Mrs
Washington had prophesied. He went
up to the bridge and stood there, look
ing down mechanically at the railroad
track There had been two light falls
of snow, enough to cover the ground
several inches, and the people had
brought out their sleighs for Thanks
giving. The old man, leaning against
the rail of the bridge, heard the sleigh
bells as in dream, but he knew that it
was Thanksgiving. He brought his
hands out of his empty pockets and
folded them upon the railing He looked
up at the moon lighted sky.
I'm thankful, he said slowly,
i. "that I've been able to pay my just
debts-$12 to Ann carp, $40 for the
boss and $18 to Eliza Washin ton.
Tain no use settin price on a boss.
What you can git for him, that's what
he's with. Forty dollars for fine,
sound, young horse! Lord, is the times
SO hard as that?"
Then he must have heard the sleigh
bells distinctly, for there were two
strings of them upon horse that was
springing and dancing behind him. He
must have heard the energetic "Whoa!'
and the tingling and jingling of the
sleighbells shaken afresh. And yet il
seemed as if he heard nothing at all.
His head had fallen on his arms. He
shifted his feet little to make sureI
prop as he prepared to spend his second
night without home. :.
The old head was lifted gently by q
pair of strong hands, some one said
"Father!" in choking voice, and OLD
Cissel turned and stared into the boys
: face i!a. .1@s
g.. ."Fatherr' cried Bub again:
But the old man drew back Leaning
heavily against the bridge railing, hi
announced that the "hoss" was sold
given away. lerl>
!, Your re cold, said the boy gruffly
"You git in thar. You're goin whal
you Il be took care Of Iheerd all about
: the boss 'Durn the fool that robbed
you'll.
u He helped the old man into the sleigh
and drew the robes about him. Then b,
/. whistled to his horse, and the sleigh
!, bells resumed their jingling
The sudden change from the homeless
and destitute feeling of spending tn
night upon the bridge, with no future
prospects whatever, with the knowl
edge that 1t was Thanksgiving day ant
that he could only be thankful over tn
fact that his empty pockets meant tina
each honest debt had been paid-the sud
den change from all this to the comfort
able seat in the sleigh, with the spirited
horse rushing him on to warmth anC
: light and home, was too much for OLE
. Cissel He sat in the sleigh beside Bub
whimpering like little child
Tie boy leaned over and very quietl,
l saw that the robes were rightly placed
Then old Cissel reached out his hanC
1 and touched his sons coat sleeve.
"When man gifts to be nigh On t,
: 80, Bub," he said humbly, "he ough
to have sense enough to know rha
young blood's hot Though I'm the frs
Cissel that ever done it, I'm gunno 'lov
: I'm sorry"
The boy turned about. mo, your
Q not, father!" he cried quickly. Your
o not to low you re sorry. You're, not t.
e be sorry. It's me that S both sorry AM
0 ashamed. -. - 'ti.
$ ;sNo, Bub; no., Bub" returned oil
. Cissel doggedly. 'Tain't that away.
They sat in silence for long time
The sleigh was turning in at the farm
a gate, the moonlight was over every