The Advocate and news., 1898-06-29

from the world. He walked slowly
down the road toward town. It was
noon when he reached the outskirts
where dilapldated little box-like houses
stood in long rows. Many children
played in the yards; workmen, enjoying
their one days rest, lounged about;
chickens scratched among the wilted
morning-glories and bathed themselves
in the door yard dust. At one Of these
houses he knocked. A woman with
thimble on her finger and pair Of
worn pants in her hand came to the
back door.
why, 1 reckon can scrape ye up
bite. Just set here on the porch"
Soon she came back with a cup Of
milk.
''Ye look like we been travelin' right
smart. Dinnerl be ready as soon as
the girls comes from church, and low
ye better stay and eat. It'll do ye more
good than cold snack
Several muscular young fellows who
dozed on the porch, stretched them
selves like sleepy lions when Tom came,
and sat up and talked, asking him where
he was from and where he was going.
The woman resumed her sewing.
"Ye mustn't think we're heathens
here to sew on Sunday" she said. Some
folks thinks I'm terrible, s'pose, but
don't think the Lord'll count it against
any one for seein' to her boys instead
of goin to church and lettin' 'em go in
tatters."
Well you'd better look out, NAV.
According to Mrs. Bradley, you're on
the brink of the pit" drawled one of
the boys, good humoredly
Mrs. Bradley" Dave explained to
Tom, lis the wife of one Of the deacons
She always finds somebody who isn't
walking the straight road, but she Is
close-fisted and works her hired help
to death; and Bradley he'll make the
most eloquent prayer in church and
lend money at Is per cent. next day.
Ye must have passed his place, about
two miles up the road--white house
among the trees"
Tom remembered it and his recep-
tion there, and decided he would not
hunt up his uncle.
"Well, I've got nothin' against Mrs
Bradley's beliefs. We belong to the
same church; but religion is in the do
in and not in the believin'. Come on.
Dinner is ready" and she put aside her
sewing and went in, followed by the
others.
That evening, as Tom sat by the road
side eating the supper she had put up
for him, he though of her words, and
agreed that religion Is in the doin' and
not in the believin."
AS he went West, the trainmen were
more friendly and often let him ride
When he crossed into Kansas the yell
low wheat and the cry Of the quail on
the prairie made him feel like a little
boy again. AS he neared his own town
he saw many things which still looked
familiar. The freight pulled up on the
siding to wait for the east-bound pas
senger and Tom got Off, crossed the
pasture and struck the road to the
Brewer place He wondered If Bill
would be there and If he would know
him.
A young man was plowing in the next
field, and as he came to the end of a
furrow, tired and hot, and paused to
wipe his sweaty face, Tom recognized
Bill
Hard wOrk?" he asked, leaning on
the fence and grinning.
well, there are softer jobs"
Ought to be glad you have it. Know
where can get one?"
well, I'd like to get rid of mine if
l could. A man named Williams, down
the road, wants hands"
"Uncle George WilIiams?"
eyes. Know him%
"Used to when was boy"
where you from?" Bill was puzzled.
Down East"
Where you bound for?"
Right here" said Tom, with a
twinkle in his eye.
Say, there's something familiar about
you. Who are you, anyway?