Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-12-19


lowing this they clamored for Hold the
Fort, yelling to Canary to let her
out livelyW
order could hardly be restored FOR
the preachers exhortation. Little
chief had no laundering after saliva
ton, and sat and chewed and spat and
exchanged audible comments AS the
earnest Stookey Numbered out his APP
peal Finally forced to the conclusion
that music was the only charm that
could soothe these savage breasts. the
harassed revlyallst announced another
hymn.
Little Chief had enjoyed the perform
anee and showed ltg appreciation waen
the hat went round But, be II said to
the credit of Dr. Stookey, that sort Of
payment was not what he labored for
and Il was with a sorrowful hurt look,
that he saw his turbulent flock depart
one member OF the congregation stu
remained Chained TO the spot by a
feeling he could neither understand nor
master. Canary sat still In his corner.
His undoing had come In the middle OF
the first song, when the preachers wlfe
the FIRST real woman he had ever APP
preached so near. turned her tired race
TO him with a look OF such grateful,
motherly sweetness In the faded eyes,
that Canarys whole being seemed
bathed in &C. And from that moment
he had been wrestling with thought
more a feeling than a defined thought
that somewhere, somehow, he had seen
such a glance before. But even as he
pursued tho Impression, II eyaded him.
Yet the spell remained strong enough 10
keep him In his chair Drawing the
round-eyed curiosity of the white head
ed boys even after the men had left. Al
the questioning glance Of the preacher
and his wife, Canary began 10 peel OF
his Disgusting garments, until he stood.
a shabby little founding, before their
wondering eyes.
81 ain't a girl" was his hardly neo-
essary explanation, as he met their
amazed looks. 1T 'Was trick OF the
fellows, and | didn't mindful now.
Guess II was doin' Sc dirt" he added
IN the first shame ever upon him,
but your voice?" asked the woman,
deeply mystlned,
ITS n freak, reckon-like the rest
O. me-" replied Canary with glance at
his mlsshapen form.
Something In the glance must have
touched the womans heart, for she
gave him repetition OF the kindly look,
and said. "You helped us out, anyhow.
Stay and have supper"
canary, ItTflltu At ih' H'VfNNN't
edged toward the door; but he was not
allowed 10 depart. The kind hearted
pair marched him along with the tNo
boys and the brown-eyed girl into the
kitchen, where the Christmcs-eve SUP
per was spread, steaming hot from the
hands of Jerry Main. whose hospitality
the itinerant preachers family was en-
loving, Jerry Main. Il may be Necessary
to explain, had recently got religion
along with rheumatism. the one conse-
quent upon the other. and II was during
this spasm of virtue that she had invited
the preacher to come and spread tracts
and the Word throughout the most no.
toriously bad camp in the Little CHER
mining district
The kitchen was low and small; the
air heavy with the reek and steam from
Mary's tub. which, like Philemon's
pitcher. was always full; but the table
was set with snowy cloth, and IN the
center blazed n pan Of Christmas snap
dragons aisins saturated In alcohol
and set ablaze--and the whole erect
was such as to make Canary catch his
breath short and stand I'm the doorway
shifting his weight stork-like from one
foot TO the other.
Come In and sit down" began Mary.
Hospitality, and then, catching sight OF
the embarrassed Canary lifted her red
arms In amazement, "Lordy. n 1t amt
McPolin's kid, Canary What you
DOM"
Hes going to have supper with US.
Miss Appleby, II you don't mind
broke In the preacher In as gentle
tone as his great voice could manage,
20 Lord IT amt the like of me thatll
object But sir, he amt nj to SIT
alongside of those lambs OF yours"
He's the one poor lamb we should
yearn over" was his mild reproof, sit
down, boy--not there. Leave one place
between you and Mrs Stookey. We al
ways leave one place empty, holiday
times" ne explained, addressing MS
remarks TO Canary, who, thus
made the target OF all eyes
squlrmed In his chair, that's so, the
children won't forget little brother
died before they could remember
Then bowling his head the little man
said long grace over the meal.
Scarcely was 1t ended when Canary felt
himself nudged. Turning he looked
into a pair of warm brown eyes be-
longing TO the little girl at whom, UNI
I'll this moment, he had not dared
look.
He's in heaven, now" she whispered,
with her little mouth close TO Canary =
ear, pointing one chubby hnBer 10 the
vacant place beside him, He was
burned up,-not In the bad place, you
know, but went straight to heaven.
And mother cries sometimes
Her words brought no response from
the tongue-tied boy; but he stole a
look over at Mrs. Stookey and az she
rewarded him with one of her tender,
compassionate glanCes he felt Il glow
that no physical comfort could pro-
duce.
Another nudge from the right called
Canary's notice back to his companion.
This time she showed the pan OF snap
dragons in front OF him. You have
to grab quick or you burn your nm
gers" she directed. Obeying her bid
ding Canary grabbed. and then munch-
ed in chorus with the rest-even thaw-
ing sufficiently to emit a yep In re-
ply to the question as TO whether or
not he liked snap-dragons.
DO you hang up your stookingY'
was the next attempt at conversation
made by the brown-eyed girl. a shake
OF his head was all the reply the mys-
tilted boy could make.
I'VE do. and Santa Claus comes and
fills em up with goodies In the middle
of the night--when there's enough lett
over lOI HitdNuHl y NuiiAANho' sNl''N
times, pretty often, there isn't, IA
conclusion that did not seem In the
least TO decrease her cheerfulness over
the prospect Receiving no reply TO
this piece of information, the girl de-
sisted from farther attempts at draw
ing him out, and romped out OF the
room with the boys TO roast chestnuts
at the fire.
Then canary "reckoned that Me-
Polln would be lookin' for him. and
prepared to leave, but stood struggling
al the threshold with an attempt to
stammer out his thanks Bur the
words died away in a gasp. for the
preachers wife had taken his hand
and was pattlng III Canary lifted his
eyes once more Tor the MOTHERHOOD,
swallowed choSed out, Il played ye
pretty low down, and ye was good to
me, rand then fled down the noun
tain side.
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