Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1901-11-20
and hid his ragged shoes and gave his

and hid his ragged shoes and gave his
wiry hair a smoothing toss.
She folded snowy tablecloth over one
end of the table. She set out delicate
china plate, a silver fork and napkin.
"Ginger!" gasped Bill, when tell this
to the gang, they'll say | dreamed it"'
And then the gentleman in Bill came
to the surface. He could see, through an
open doorway, the pantry, and what it
held, one piece of pie, one piece of cake.
IAN she's got, and she's getting it for
met breathed the spying Bill. "Mebbe
her to-morrow's feast. NiXy.' asprated
Bill, his heart swelling up, and he felt
more of a man than ever.
Lady" he said, as she set the food
before hiul-and he was as solemn as
an owl-'the last thing my doctor says
TO me afore l took this here tower for
me healt', was to avoid rich yittals. Tn
obliged. but .'
There's plain bread and butter. sir,
then" suggested Mrs. Daintry, with an
amused smile.
'Tve-Fve got toothache! Thankee,
ma am, but I've mistook my capacity,
and"
Bill bolted. The widow stood looking
curionsly after him till his tattered figure
disappeared beyond the fence.
'Perhaps-perhaps,' she murmured
sadly. my boy is like that to-day
| At o o'clock that night Mrs. Daintry
heard a. noise at the rear of the house.
She went to the Kitchen door A man
was prying up the pantry window. 1t
was her tramp visitor of the afternoon.
Have you come to rob" exclaimed
she. ... 81.
| NO, ma am, have notw promptly re-
sponded Hobo Bill. II came to bring
| YOU a present-for your kindness to me
| this p. m. | saw you had no tur-
| key for Thanksgiving, ma'am, SO I've
| brought you one"
| And, sure enough Hobo Bill swung his
left hand around, holding as plump fowl
! as ever graced kings larder.
| Mrs. Daintry was speeches.. This
was more singular than the mans be-
havior of the afternoon.
| Il was trying to sneak 1t into yer PAN
! try as a surprise, ma am" suggested Bill.
persuasively.
| But l cannot accept it!' declared the
widow; that is, without paying for it,
and | have not the money TO do that"
| .Eaudul, Sulu Dill, Wilu tightly Ills
Is q gift"
But how did you, poor man, get it?"
worked for it, marm," lied Bill. I'M
blushingly; 'cut two cords of wood for a
farmer. Had no money; paid me in
turks. Four of 'em. Gave the rest away.
This is the last. There you are! Good
evening, marm." .....4 .. g.
Hobo Bill flashed away like spirit,
! leaving the astonished widow lost in mora
CONSERVATION and bewildernlent than
! ever. -,
| Mrs. Daintry thought a good deal over
her strange gift Thanksgiving morning.
She finally concluded she had better cook
the turkey, hoping her cratic benefac-
tor would be along during the day to par
take of it.
She tried to be cheerful and thankful
but many a tear fell by the time the
| turkey was cooked.
There came tap Mt the rear door about
l o'clock. The cook from the big house
stood on the step.
"Oh, Mrs. Daintry, excuse me. ma'am. "
she said, ''but could you loan me n little
cinnamon. They've run out, and"
She stared at the handsomely Drowned
fowl, done to a turn, for she knew the
wi'ow's hnrd-scraping experience of the
last year or two.
Certainly" assented Mrs. Daintry. al
ways accommodating, although she had
no reason to favor the big house, or any
of its inmates.
What nice turkey you've got" pur-
sued the cook. eve have none to-day"
"Indeed?' observed Mrs Daintry, in
surprise.
YES, ma'am-it was stolen"
"Stolen!' echoed the widow. with a
/ start.
And then she guessed all, as the cook
! went on to tell how the discovery of the
nav UhT THE Z