The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-11-09

WHEN SAM FOUND HIS COURAGE,
Dr. ELIZABETH L. GoULn

uncle Hiram minds. too. He's hardly
talked about the old war-times. when
ne was drummer-boy and got il.
wounds, once. for the last week. He'd
rather be In an attic In Boston ard
know was working my way up thar
to stay here In Moorby; there's nobo ~
here he cares enough about to make
nim.want to stay. And | might carr
money enough to buy him a wheeled
chair before long. While mother live
couldn't go, but now could"
Mrs. Lapham's house raced the south.
ana as Sammy entered the yard y,
looked for Mrs. Lapham's smile at tn J
window of the room where all her
days were spent.
She had been bedridden for ten
years; the old sitting-room of her early
married life had been changed to her
bedroom. and every morning before
Mr. Lapham started for his Harness
and Shoe Shop" he dragged the bed
close to the window. All passers-by
were used to the sight of Mrs. Lap
hams pale face propped into view by
many pillows, and her thimble tapped
many summons to enter on the low
est right-hand pane.
There was no face at the window.
that morning, although, as Sammv
drew close to the house, he could see
that the bed was in its usual place.
AS he stood moment irresolutely at
the turn where the path branched of
toward the woodshed, a man hailed
him from a passing cart. saying:
"Hullo, Sammy! Hows business with
you these days?"
Fair" returned the boy, soberly
adding under his breath, 81 wish peo-
pie wouldn't call me Sammy It's
such baby name,"
There came tap at the window as
the cart ratified out of sight, and SAM
my turned quickly to see Mrs. Lap.
hams face, white and drawn, at tie
pane.
why, she looked as il she was cry
ing!" said the boy to himself, startled
out of thoughts about his own troubles,
as he entered the house.
There was no longer any doubt in
his mind when he stood in the DOOR
way and saw the invalid's great dark
eyes.
Sammy" she cried, in a high.
strained voice. ''The meE are at work
in the judges meadow, and he's there
with EN-. They're going to cut down
all my willows and my old apple-trse
Sammy! John Roberts is there with
'em, experimenting under the judge.
tapped him in this morning just after
Mr.. Lapham had gone, and he told me.
Why, Sammy. it seems as if those
trees belonged to me! My view'll re
all spoiled. and it's everything | have
to look at. that meadow is, Sammy"
"Yes'm, know" said the boy, with
quick sympathy. 81 suppose he thinks
the meadow'll be better will out the
willows, and that the apple-tree doesn't |
bear much of any fruit. He doesn't
realize about you. Mrs. Laphar, the
Judge doesn't; don't believe he even |
knows about you. You see he's only |
here in the summer, and ne doesn't |
see much of us village people," added |
Sammy. gently. TITS an awful ply |
Mrs. Lapham."
'Tf he knew" said the invalid. crush
ing her handkerchief between her
clasped hands, eff he knew, do YOU
suppose he'd leave the apple-trea
sammy Look! Here's where see
the buds on that long branch first; |
and then the blossoms come, all whit.
and pink. and then the apples. And
the branches are lovely even VIII
they're bare; and you know Row they |
shine in the snow and ice. I've shown |
you so often. The road is so narrow
how can the judge help knowing about
me. Sammy? And the willows shine
so in the sun after a rain! l shall be
gone before they could grow high
enough for me to see them again"
Sammy's face flushed a curious red
In streaks.
81 will go and tell the Judge about it,
Mrs. Lapham," he said.
Even ready-tongued people hesita.cl
10 ask favors lightly of Judge Saur-
1ers, who was counted just but by no
means benevolent. Fear and excite
nent choked together in Sammy's
throat. Many ideas shot through the
boys brain as he ran along the roal
To the break in the wall where the
meadow bars were down. and across
he meadow toward the tall figure of
he judge. But more vividly than all
Use there rose before his mind the
nvalid's face, and it was the only
pur he needed.
you may begin on that oldest apple
rec, Roberts," the judge was saying.
I have an appointment now with Mr..
Willis, but l shall be back in the
curse of the morning to see how the
york goen on. L"
Judge Saunders, please stop" came
boys voice behind him, and the
ldge turned to confront Sammy's
ushed and excited face
Whats the trouble, my young
riend?" he asked, in curt tone.
Where and why do you wish me to
top?"
Its the tree. sir" cried Sammy, his
'oubled eyes fixed on the judges keen
ray ones. Mrs. Lapham is an in
aid: it's years since she could leave
err bed, sir. Her husband pulls it up
} the window every morning before
e goes off to work. so she can look
ut She can see just a strip of sky
nd this piece of your meadow; your
'illows and the old apple-tree are her
icture. all she has to look att"
The judge stopped to pick up long
lade of grass as the boy stopped FOR
reath. but did not interrupt Hill. John
.oberts and the other men stood open
louthed behind their employer. $
In the spring she watches for the ,