The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-17


A little, faded woman in rusty black,
whom Sallie Dobson had spoken of as
"even Mis- Jenkins" looked up with
keen protest in her eyes.
Mrs. Early saw the glance and
FASTENED to smooth things over by say
ing: Maybe the Dobsons haven't used
Judgment, but they did work better be-
fore they got so discouraged. While
the rest of us were getting start they
had more than their share of sickness
and death and accidents to their prop
erty."
"You needn't worry about that"
broke in Mrs. Jenkins; "they are going
back to the mountains. Mrs. Dobson
told me that they was tired of being
lonesome"
A sudden uneasy hush fell on the
little company, followed by confused
demand for further information.
Mrs. Barnard sat listening to the talk,
which had drifted back to the days be.
fore she lived in the neighborhood.
When a pause finally occurred in the
conversation she turned to her COM
panions and asked, brightly: "Why
can't we give the Dobsons farewell
party? am sure it would please them,
and whatever we saw fit to give would
seem prompted by friendship rather
than charity"
The women looked at each other in
keen surprise, but before anyone could
protest Mrs. Barnard spoke again; II
was thinking how much Mr.. Dobson
needed another horse since one of his
span died. l am going to give him my
old Bess. She is homely and rather
mean, but she can work. Mr.. Barnard
said yesterday that we had too many
horses"
II can't do anything so handsome"
exclaimed Mrs. Jenkins, "but can give
quilt or two"
"And I some canned fruit and ham
or So" added Mrs. Early.
The enthusiasm spread, and amid a
confusion Of tongues the list of dona-
tons grew and grew.
Suppose you stop on the way home,
Mrs. Barnard" suggested some one,
"and tell them about the party. I'm
afraid they wouldn't be tidy enough to
enjoy surprise"
So when the party dispersed Mrs. Bar
nard delivered the neighborhood mes
sage and passed on Svith q smile of salts
faction.
From that time forth a new life
dawned on the Dobsons. Their lamp
was the last in the valley to go out
at night and the first to be lighted in
the morning. The whole family seemed
possessed with fever and hurry of
joyous excitement.
Got to have everything slick and
mended," admonished Abner; "can't go
off leaving things shiftless like
When the eventful day of the party
finally arrived everything was in per-
feet order. Two hours before the ear
lest guest could be expected Mrs. Dob
son went to the door in her fresh, new
calico and looked about anxiously.
'0They will be along now pretty soon,"
she announced, excitedly; you haven't
forgot your piece, have you, Abner?"
81 reckon not" he answered, thought
fully, as he flicked straw from his new
overalls; sit begins: Fellow neigh
bors.'"
"Oh, never mind about sayin it now.
paw" she interrupted, 81 reckon you
will get through when the time comes"
But Abner was not so certain. He
repeated it over and over again. Even
during the arrival of the people he could
not escape its haunting phrases. lie
forgot it only when he went to see the
unexpected gifts from his neighbors.
Then his vision suddenly grew dim, and
his mind confused.
He wandered back to the end of the
house which the men had appropriated.
After a moment he drew himself erect,
and began in loud, artificial tone:
Fellow neighbors-"
The unusual address attracted the no
tice of those nearest. A wave of ST.
lence passed on to the women's edge
of the company.
"Feller neighbors," he began again,
sine and Mis- Dobson feel to thank you
for this here unexpected notice. May
be we-uns amt been any credit to YOU
all before, but after this we're going
to be-"
He cleared his throat, while the peo-
pie looked at each other questioningly.
His wife prompted him quickly. "Mis'
Dobson and me" she whispered.
mis- Dobson and me-" he repeated,
got lonesome, and thought we'd bet
ter go back to our kin. But lately you
all have showed we-uns that there is
kin nearer than them of blood. They
didn't give us no farewell party. You
all have been mighty good; Mis- Dob
son and me know that there amt no
other such neighborhood on earth. So
we amt going to the mountains"
The neighbors were startled, but they
had undertaken to make this party a
success; to a man, they arose to meet
the new occasion. For the first time
they made the Dobsons welcome.
After the party was over, when the
last wagons were separating, Mrs. San
sen said: "I'm glad we did it, anyhow.