Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1903-05-28
Bill !: Gord|o' N J in
BY a
EDGAR WELToN COOLEY.
(copyright. lsos. BY Daily Story Pub. Co.,

Copyright. 1905. by Daily Story Pub. Co.,
A FTER the funeral; after the
~ rough pine box had been lowered
into the grave; after the clergy
man had spoken a few words
of hope and consolation; after
the hymn had been sung and
the small gathering Of neighbors
had solemnly filed away, content
in the, self-consciousness that they
had given the poor woman Christian
burial, ':Bill Gordon's jim" walked
slowly along the road that led to the
black, tottering shack he called his
home. ". ~' ,-. @".. e 81.
~ss When he reached the door of the
cabin, the boy sat down upon the
steps and rested his chin in his hand.
S.Ie was not used to tears. His young
life had been so full of bitterness that
lie had grown strangely stoical, al
most Indifferent So his eyes were dry
as he sat, gazing silently at his bare
feet. a~ w."
n 4 yellow dog came around the cor
@ner of the house, and. seeing his young
master, wagged his tail. But Jim did
not move. For a moment the dog
gazeG expectantly into the boys face.
then licked his hand and lay down
at his side.
d And presently young girl came up
the path that led from the road. Her
face was fair; her eyes were blue;
her hair, hanging down her back, was
black as ebony. In her hand she car
ried bunch of violets. sf>
u But the boy in the doorway did not
raise his head or stir until her shad
ow fell upon the ground beside him.
Then he glanced up, suddenly,sand saw
her; standing silently before him, her
eyes all shining wet with tears, the
flowers extended towards him.
He shambled awkawardly to his feet
and snatched the faded brown hat
from his head.
II have brought you some flowers"
the girl said, simply, "and want to
say that I AMI am so sorry for you"
He reached out bis hand, dumbly,
( and took the blossoms from her. He
tried to speak, but could only stand,
with bowed head, while the girl turned
and went her way.
= He watched her silently until she dis
appeared behind tangle of wild-grape
vines, and then, sinking upon his
knees, he threw hir arms around the
dogs neck and buried his head upon
the beasts shaggy coat.
s "Bingo," he sobbed, the bet tears
springing, "oh, Bingo! mammy's dead
an amt got nobody now-noboddy
but jest you an dad, B:ngo."
Vixen bill Gcrdon's Jim" again met
the girl, she was standing under the
fragrant blossoms of a crab-apple
tree Ct bend in the road She smiled
and held out her hand. He took it, shy
'1y, aid stood, fumbling his hat.
''Yau should congratulate me-" she
said, after moment. sit is my birth
day"
II had a birthday once" CLEAN of
pleasant recollection i'm his eyes. ':It
was while nanny was alive. She made
me some fried cakes, and we had din
rner outdoors-Bingo and me-"
"Didn*, you invite anybody?" the
girl asked curiously.
No." he replied; 81 didn't know any
body that thought would come. So
r~ we just drove some sticks in the
IL, ground and played they were COM
\ pany."
Sss ''But would have come" the girl
said, enthusiastically.
n IF 1 have another birthday, some
slime, would you Gomez"
Ia "Yes," she assented cheerily.
'"Then will-no, can't" he replied,
soberly; 81 forgot. I can't, because
because-you know why can't"
sa5 There was tremble in.his voice.
Il "Yes, know" she said. ''Your
mother-"
~ She saw sudden tear glisten in his
Il eye, and she crept close to him and
| locked her arms around his neck. II
Il want to be your little sister. May -"
n she said.
M He brushed the sleeve of his faded
bingham shirt across his eyes and
smiled in answer.
N "I,will always admire you." the girl
II continued, "for you are big and strong;
y and I shall always Love you, for you are
lonely"
r. When they reached the path that led
III to the boys home he paused.
y evil you wait here JUST moment?'
\. he asked. Il have some thing for you
W "For me? she replied, surprised.
- "t"Yes,"5 he replied ::ssomething fol
r.. your birthday. .r
q He disappeared around the corner Of
the house and she waited, listening tc
- the music of the river and the song o.
y robin in the top of an elm tree. Pres
emily the boy reappeared, leading ,
+ yellow dog tied to rope.
\ "You, will not be disappointed ?" h
asked anxiously, noticing the wonde
on her face. II am sorry it is all
have. His name is Bingo. Nanny go
y him for me when he was only a pup"
Fl He held the end of the rope towar
her and she reached out her hand an
took it and tried to speak, but coul