The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-29

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 < $ $ $ < $ a: x E E < E < < A It was conceded on all hands that | Tobe Johnson was the best fellow that l had ever struck a spade In Of Jlm diggings. Old Jim, himself, was suney, Bear Creek. He lived short distance from the center of the town-that is, from the saloons-and. knowing that he he seldom came down from his suburban huff. indeed. Bear Creek could boast of anything so uretenuous as suburbs; Naturally enough the hatred for "Ol Jim" himself fell also upon the innocent heads of the men who worked under him. So that the village of Bear Creek and "Or Jim's Pace. as 1t was called;
 But as time rolled on Bill Hawkins failed to get his share of Bear Creek disapproval and dislike. He was re. garied as a good-hearted fellow of frie ndly disposition, yet with as strong a will and as firm a courage as was to he found in the two camps. Further more, he was a worker. and spent most me. dens and salocns-sometting which the miners usually failed to do.
 Che day Johnson was informed that heir. But his boy came at a dear. dear price to the father. The frail mother. wearied and worn by the hard life to which she had not been accustomed, to uphold her declining strength was in imminent danger of death. For days she lay in half stupor, moaning piteously the whole. Hawkins stayed faithfully into the belief that she would soon be we'll again. "She can't die" he would say hopefully. We will nurse her back to hGsh a1e ana H Within MG n0shf ha nner % depths nf his consciousness he. was afraid. The neighboring miners did all they could to nclp the unfortunate nus band The gentle demeanor of the young in their rough breasts.
 But it soon was seen that the struggle would soon be over And one day, just as the bright sunlight of the afternoon began to fade into the deeper shadows of the evening. the mother brsathed a soft sigh and passed to the reals eternal.
 They buried her midway between or signify that both places were joined in sorrow. The funeral was attended by the members of both settlements. For of Bear Creek walked side by side with the men from or Jim's without the sign of outward resentment. Old grievances were laid aside and forgotten. Even sullen grimace. Truly. the loss fell sadly on the two camps.
 After the funeral was over and the miners had returned to their work. Tobe Johnson returned fo his hut sad and broken-hearted man. The baby who had caused his grief, he swore he could nev- CT love. He never wished to see the in nocent little thing again so great was his sorrow. He left the lonely cottage and walked down into the village. The little half-breed girl sat all night by the cradle waiting for his returning foot steps; but no scund broke the stiffness nf ha mic inc howl nf lonely dog outside. or the occasional waking wall of the infant in her charge Finally at dayoreak. the shamhling footsteps came up the beaten path. Then heavy boot beat roughly at the door for admittance. Hurriedly opening the door she returned to the cradle. TT" staggering figure of q man came in. It vas Tobe Johnson, his eyes bloodshot with drink and dissipation. For mo- ment he gazed eXpectantly around the room. "Millie,'' he called Then seeing the frightened half breed beside the swaying cradle, he seemed to recall the incidents of the past few days. With dark frown on his brow, he stumbled over to the far corner of the room and fell heavily on the bed.
 Tobe Johnson slept long and soundly He was awakened late In the afternoon bv the rough voices of the men with whom he had spert the previous night. wished him t) return to the village-tU the bar and gaming tables. For the mo- ment he seemed ready to yield. Then suddenly from the cradle came a faint coo" He turned quickly to meet the laughing blue eyes of his baby. He looked steadily at the little. face-twas the first time since that fatal night. Then he walked quickly to the cradle and lifted the little thing in his, arms
 No. by God, I won't. go"' he cried fercely to the men. For the moment they were stupefied. Thcr they bowed their heads and walked slowly from the room,
 Was it the look in the soft blue eyes?' tn ey unused. Was 1t the smile of his lost love he saw2'
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