Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-11-28

toward her. She led him to n path
through the bushes. and as they walked
along she told him that after giving them
breakfast her daddy had gone away to
get them ankSgiving" and had not
come back. Presently they reached
little clearing in which stood II rough
board house. The spot was evidently
an oasis in the desert that had been clear
ed for farm. In one of the fields there
were several cows and couple of horses
that whinniCd as they saw him. II sound
ed like 4 welcome. Then they began TO
hear Elsie crying. The little girl let go
his hand and ran ahead. When he reach
cd the door. he heard her telling Elsie
that "a real nice tramp was coming to
take care of them and get them some
thing to eat" Again his face famed
with bushes. but he entered and began
to search for food. In little box cup
board he found 4 pan of milk and some
bread. and he Immediately took down the
dishes and prepared them something TO
eat. While they ate he made friends
with them, and his own hunger returned
to him. He drank some of the milk and
ate some of the bread, and that only
made him more hungry. At last the older
girl. who had told him that her name
was Aggie. showed him couple of
prairie chickens that had been dressed as
if for cooking and told him that their
daddy was going to cook them for their
THANKSGIVING and make doughboyS,
but that he had gone away to get them
more Thanksgiving" But the memory
of their daddy started them both crying
again. and Harry FASTENED to comfort
them. He told them that he could cook
the chickens and make doughboys and
that then their daddy would come back
to them again. So he lit the fire in the
stove and put the chickens i'll pot to
cook. They showed him where the spring
was, and he brought in n pail OF water
and after finding the -four and soda be-
gan to make the doughboys which they
evidently thought the greatest luxury in
the world. His experience as n holiday
camper stood him in good stead. While
he worked the children talked to him.
You are n nice twamp, amt you!"
Aggie volunteered as she became more
friendly.
Yes. yes But don't talk about it.
What kind of a man is your daddy"
Hes just the best man said Aggie
decisivcly. He made us that windmill
ON top of the house.
But at the mention OF her daddy Elsie
began to cry again. and Harry had his
own private opinion OF a man who could
leave two babies of / and years of age
alone in shack on the desert
1t was after nightfaIl before the chick
ems were cooked and the douGhboys were
perfect Harry set the table and washed
the two tear stained faces. and they all
sat down TO their Thanksgiving dinner.
But when he started to serve Aggie OK
claimed;
Elsie hasn't said grace VET
They all bowed their heads. and the
childish little voice babhlCd a prayer for
n blessing on the nfercies set before them.
From that moment Harry felt no dis
quetude about the home coming of the
father.
He helped the children literally to the
food while he kept them interested with
lively talk. and then when they were sat
isfcd he took them both Oh his knees and
told them stories until they fell asleep.
Then he put them both to bed and sat
down TO wait for their father. He was so
taken up with the thought Of the chill
dren and with wondering what could
have happened to their father that he
had no thought of his own troubles. Hour
after hour passed. and he was beginning
TO doze away with WEAKNESS when he
heard Il rapidly approaching footstep. \
moment later the door was flung open
and 4 wildly disheveled aud travel stain
ed man rushed in.
Where are my babies :" he cried
There in the bed" said Harry
Thank Cod the man exclaimed fer
ventiy as he sank into n chair. He asked
no questions about Harry's presence, but
Harry Immediately explained.
May God bless you" the father ex-
claimed Il feel that Won have saved
their lives and mine too" Then he told
how he had left to 20 down 10 the near
est village 10 get some things Tor their
Thanksgiving dinner. Instead of taking
his team as he should have done he had
gone 10 the railway crossing half mile
distant To take the morning express BY
DOING - he could have half an hour in
the village and then take the return ex-
press 10 the crossing. being gone less