Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1898-10-08
was walking away when Silas

Bud stopped abruptly and came back
and stood by the fence,
81 must be a-losin my senses, by
gum, | must he said, with an air Of
veXation. 81 war jist goin ter tell ye
an forgot it. | seed her down in the
woods as | came acrOst the crick. A
limb had fell off that big ellum an kill
ed her, an thar she lay deader an a
doUrnail "
Bugcord took long pull at h. pipe.
Nothing ever disturbed or excited
linn III the least.
"She hadn't bin nilllod this mornin
nuthor," he said, "an | reckon the dad
blamed tree has spilled the hide. Ye
can tell Yer daddy ter come over in the
morning if it ain t rainin, an wcll git
at the corn cuttin.'
The next morning as Mr.. White was
starting for Bugford's he saw young
man coming down the read from the di-
rection of the little railroad station. He
was dressed i'll a neatly fitting suit of
gray and carried small leather valise.
The young man looked eagerly at
White, and, nodding, said:
"Good morning, Mr.. White"
He held out his hand, smiling as he
did so.
Mr., White took the pryffere.' hand,
looking very much puzzled.
eye seem to know me-but hanged
if-w'y, bless my soul, it's Ped Bug
ford. ~
$50 it is, " laughed the young man.
81 am glad to see some one who re-
members me.
81 knowcd ye as soon as yo laugh
ed, - said White "But hang it, how
ye have growed. Wy, ye are a man
now, bigger an yer father"
The two walked on i'll the direction
of Bugford's.
Farmer White was not especially in
quisitive, but he was not altogether de-
void Of a certain amount of curiosity
regarding the affairs of his neighbors,
and before the two reached their desti-
nation he had learned several important
facts relative to young Bugford.
Among other things he learned that
Ped had perfected most valuable piece
of machinery which he had been work
ing ON for years and having patented
his invention he had disposed of it to a
wealthy firm i'll Chicago for snug for
tune and was coming home to share it
with his aged parents,
White spccuIated ON the surprise in
store for Bugford, and he chucklcd in
Wardly as lie thought of the Joy and
amazement Ped's sudden return would
bring to the parents.
As they arrived before the farmhouse
they saw Mrs, Bugford coming from the
sprinShouse carrying pan of milk.
As Ped came toward her she looked
at him keenly, then set the pan of milk
upon the ground, her form trembling,
"It's Ped" she said in an agitate9
voice.
She took his hands and kissed him.
Then he put his arms about her neck,
while the tears ran down his checks.
eye have growed So" she said,
holding him at arm 5 length and gazing
fondly into his face.
Il was afraid you wouldn t recognize
me- he said, "but you cannot deceive
mothers eye"
They stood talking for some moments.
Some Of the little ducks that were run
ming about the yard came up, and pounc-
ing into the pan Of milk began to swim
about i'll the liveliest manner.
"Whcre's father?' asked Ped
''In the house oatin his breakfast.
Come let's go in.
She stopped to pick up the pan.
"Ihem ducks have spilled the milk, )"
she said, emptying ducks and milk out
into the grass,
"Ped's daddy'll be mighty glad ter
see him." said White as the three
walked toward the house.
'Dont say who | am" said Ped,
"and We'll see if father will know me- :"
"That's good, " chuckled White.
"I'll bet he won't know ye at all. ="
Silas was sitting at the table eating
his breakfast when the three entered.
GIVE brought ye hand" said
White, nodding toward Ped.
"All right, responded Silas. "Set
up an have breakfast. -
JIM, lSpllV'i w hltS, DuU lSSh-
on the band hahn t. "
"No, | haven't" said Ped, taking "a
seat at the table
"He don't know him, by jing"
chuckled White inwardly.
"Jist help yerself," said Bugford,
and Ped was not backward in obeying.
Little was said during the meal, and
when it was finished, without Bugford
having shown any signs of recognizing
his son, Whites excitement rose to the
highest pitch.
Its a good un ON Silas, it is, by
gosh - was his mental comment.
"Silas, said White, as the two arose
from the table, Il reckon We don t know
this feller | brought?" and he nodded
toward Ped.
Silas slowly drew pipe from his
pocket, and, filling and lighting it, said: ::
"Know him? | knowed him soon as
he coined inter the door. It's about
work time reckon. Ped, thar's an
extra corn knife out i'll the she'd -
Will Lisenbee in Short Stories.
His Incognito.
Skidmore-l hear that Tenspot is