The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-04-08


wards the supper table told story.
Nov. child where's pa"
81 don't know" Jim muttered.
You didn't come here alone, did
YOU
"Ycssum."
An what do you want?'
I'm afraid outsidc-an tired; l
hain't-Tm awful hungry Here Jim
picked up a little courage. I'm look
i'm for job, SOS | can make my own
way"
you hain't got no kctchin' disease,
have Vou?'
, Noun
"Nur you don't chaw nur smoke
Noun"
"Reen travclin long ~
"HCssum.'
"Whv didn't you try Olane?'
Jim was pcrpleXed. He rolled his
eyes and thought a moment
I'm sick OF towns" finally he NUT
tered
Reckon YOU hain't done much farm
work them"
He explained that he knew n little
about it, and with "A sudden surprise
he remembered that it was because he
"Well | don't know what to do, but
when pa comes he can manage 1t. I'm
cXpcCtin' of him every minute. He
Went to Diane today to find Il middlin
sized boy to do chores
She busted herself in the kitchen
around the fire and then said:
Come now and drink some coffee an
eat a fritter n then you can try your
A.,., l.
but land knows ne 'aint here yet Pied's
going to bring the whole herd round
the house yet with her bellerin'."
Jim felt a little restless; suppose pa"
should hear about the runaway boy
while he was in Olane. but even that
fear could not keep him from eating
heartily.
Now do YOU reckon you can milk"
He remembered plainly how he had
hated milking and how his mother
saved him by doing his part for him.
While he was milking he heard the
rattle of wagon far away.
That's pa" said Mrs. Walton, for
she and Jim had exchanged introduc-
tiOns.
I'm just run in an git his coffee hot"
The heavy wagon drew up to the
gate and a rough figure climbed out to
let down the bars. Jim went on with
his milking and the steady strip,
strip soon attracted Mr.. Walton's at
tention.
Mary he called.
No answer.
Whose that mill<in'? | say"
IT'S me-" answered Jim faeblv.
Let him be, pa, AN come i'm to sup
per-" called Mrs. Walton from the
door Jim brought in the pail of milk,
and stood hesitatinGly at the door.
Come in, child" said the woman.
"You ham't no sneak at milkin' certain.
1t takes a good mixer to bring the
foam like that" and she blew away the
feathery milk.
He remembered how his mother told
him he could milk if he only would.
The man eyed him kcenly, put good
naturedly.
Il reckon if you'd wash your face
/ could jidge your looks IA little bet
| ter" he laughed.
"Sakes alive, yes" cried Mrs. Wal
| ton. He took me all of a heap or
I'd of thought of that before"
Il guess you didn't bring any dress
suit did ye?' inquired Mrs. Walton
NO sir" answered Jim, Il didn't
have any"
Il went to town today thinkin' Ia
| pick up some youngster willin' to cit
IA breath of fresh air and little pay
| for wOrkin' on the farm, but bless you
| they'd rather starve than leave the
city"
Jim murmured some answer.
Ma says you're tired q cities; that
| shows you've got some sense You
| can sleep here tonight an if you suit
| me I'll make a swOp with you. So
| long," and Mr.. Walton retired to the
| upper chamber.
You'll sleep in this bedroom" said
| Mrs. Walton, lighting candle for
| Jim. She paused a moment on the
| threshold, looking back at Jim kindly.
We're common folks here, chile, an
l guess you can put up in this here
bed, for it's the best we got; but we
| allus says our prayers. Say yours,
chile, an if your mas alive or dead
| she'll know"
Jim looked out of the little window
| over the moon-lit limitless view. A
great hot tear fell on his hand, and the
| 1iood-gates Of his heart were opened
| but his pride was not broken yet.
You can dig taters today" said
Mr., Walton next morning. "Ill give
you six dollars a month an board, an
washing, an that's bout as good as
you'll get this way"
! When do you think youll be going
! to Olane again." Jim asked.
Not fore Christmas. | reckon. I
generally manage to take in some truck
then, lay in my Christmas dinner an
git provisions enough to last till
! spring" answered Mr.. Walton.
And he turned again to his work.
| IF you need any clothes" he called
| back, 'the old woman'll fix YOU up
something to do till holidays. We
hain't got no sasiety here"
All Jim wanted to do was to write
his mother a little letter and tell her
where he was. All through the night
he dreamed of her running, falling in
| the darkness, searching for him. He
dreamed of her with torn and bleeding
| feet, feeling over the prairie for him.
he had heard her praying and raving
ana he felt that 1t was true even when
he was awake.
At noon that day Jim could not eat.
He had done a half DAYS hard work.
something he had never dreamed of
| doing at home. He was exhausted
from his long tramp in the Indian sum-
| mer sun.
"Hain't sick, are you?" asked Mr..
| Walton.
Jim shook his head, but his lips were
pale.
Hes just tuckered out, pa. Better
let him rest this evening"
We'll, there hain't no particular rush