Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1898-10-14

woods as | came acrost the crick. A
limb had fell oil that big ellnm an kill
ed her, an thar she lay deadcr an a
doornail.
Eug.ord took a long pull at his pipe.
Nothing ever disturbed OF excited
him in the least.
"She hadn't bin MIXED this mornin
nuther, he said. ian / reckon the dad
Llaned tree bias spilled tho hide. Ye
can tell yer daddy ter coine over in the
morning II It ain't rainin, IN We'll git
at the corn cuttin."
The next morning as Mr.. White was
starting for Bugford's he cav q young
man coming down the read from the di-
rcction Of the little railroad station. He
was dressed in q neatly fitting suit OF
gray and carried n small leather valise.
The young man looked eagerly at
White, and. nodding. said:
Good morning, Mr. White"
He held out his hand, smiling as be
did so.
Mr.. White took tho pr.nered hand,
looking very much puzzled.
"Ye seem to know mC-but hanged
if-w'y. bless my soul. it's Ped Bug
ford"
80 it is, laughed the young man.
81 am glad to see some one who re-
members me-"
81 knowed yo as 0 as 20 laugh
ed, " said White. "But hang it, how
ye have growed wy ye nro a man
now, bigger an yer father
The two walked on in the direction
of Brgford's.
Farmer White was not especially in
quisitive, but he was not altogether de-
void Of n certain Amount of curiosity
regarding tho affairs Of bis neighbors,
and before the two reached their desti-
nation he had learned several important
facts relative to young Bugford.
Among other things be learned that
Ped had perfected a most valuable piece
of machinery which he had heen work.
ing OH for years, and having patented
his invention he had disposed of it to a
wealthy firm in Chicago for a snug for
tuno and was coming home to share 1T
with his aged parents.
White speculated On the sunrise in
store for Busford, and no chuckled in
wardly as be thought of the JOY and
amazement Ped's sudden return would
bring to the parents.
As they arrived before the farmhouse
they saw Mrs. Bugfcrd coming from the
springhouse carrying a pan of milk.
AS Ped came toward Der she looked
at him koeDly, then set the pan of milk
upon the ground, her form trembling.
ITS Pedl' she said in on agitatcd
; voice.
She took his hands and kissed him
Then he put his arms about her neck
while the tears ran down his cheeks.
Y "Ye have growed So" she said,
holding him Mt arms length and gazing
fondly into his face.
. 81 was afraid you wouldn't recognize
{ me-, " he said, "but you cannot deceivI
G a mothers eye"
They stood talking for some moments
Some of the little ducks that were run
ming about the yard came mp, and pounc
n ing into the pan Of milk began to swim
about in the l~iyeliest manner.
where's father?' asked Ped.
Elm the house eatin his breakfast
D Come let's so in"
She stopped to pick up the pan.
"Them ducks have spilled the milk,
n she said, emptying ducks and milk on
g into the grass.
n "Ped's daddy'll be mighty glad te
h see him." said White as the TIRE
10 walked toward the house.
Don't shy who | am" said Ped
land we'll see if father will know me.
''That's good" chuckled White
"I'll bet he won't know ye at all"
II Silas was sitting ut the table eatin
& his breakfast when the three entered.
a "I've brought ye a hand, sal
a. White, nodding toward Ped.
Of "All right" responded Silas. "Se
IL up an have breakfast.
81 bin, " replied White, but 1 reel
. on the hand hain't."
"No, | haven't. said Ped. taking
= seat at the table.
IN she don't know him, by jingl
chuckled White inwardly.
st "Jist help yerself," said Bugfor(
and Ped was not backward in obeyinl
te Little was said during the meal, an
m when it was finished, without Bugfor
st having shown any signs of ~recognizir
his son, Whites excitement rose to Il
d. highest pitch.
Its a good un on Silas, 1t is, /
gosh r. was his mental comment.
Al "Silns, " said White, as the W aroI
K from the table, II reckon ye don't kno
this Teller l brought?' and ho noddC
70 toward Ped.
r Silas slowly drew a pipe from h
pocket, and, filling and lighting it, sai'
al "Know him? | knowed him soon
he coined inter the door. It's abol
II work time, ! reckon. Ped, thar's 4
ne extra corn knife ont in the shed. -
Will Lisenbee in Short Stories.
lie
Neither Yves Any Good.
,or "a little fellow of our acquaintance,