Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1903-04-30
Bill Gordon's Jim
EDGAR wELroN COOLEY.
lcoprrlght. ". Dy Dsily story rab. ce)

the hymn had been sung and
the small gathering Of neighbors
had solemnly filed away. content
in the circumstances 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.
When he rcaened the door OF the
cabin, the boy sat down upon the
steps and rested his chin in his hand.
He was not used to tears. His young
life had been so full of bitterness that
he had grown strangely stoical, al
most Indifferent. So his eyes were dry
as he sat, gazing silently at his bare
feet.
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
gazed expectantly into the boys face,
then licked his hand and lay down
at his side.
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 a bunch of yiolets.
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, and 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
81 have brought you some flowers"
the girl said, simply, land / want TO
say that ami am so sorry for you"
He reached out his 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 a tangle of wild-grape
vines, and then, sinking upon his
knees, he threw his arms around the
dogs neck and buried his head upon
the beasts shaggy coat.
"Bingo," he sobbed, the hot tears
springing, "oh. Bingo! mammy's dead
an l amt got nobody now-noboddy
but jest you an dad, Bingo.'
When "Bill Gordon's Jim" again met
the girl, she was standing under the
fragrant blossoms Of a. crab-apple
tree at a bend in the road. She smiled
and held out her hand He took it, shy
ly, and stood, fumbling his hat.
you should congratulate me-" she
said, after moment. at is my birth
day"
They were walking along the road
towards her home. Sunshine and
shadow fell in alternating stretches
upon the highway. The air was full
OF the sweetness. of early summer.
High in the blue sky chicken-hawk
slowly circled. From somewhere in
the timber came the tinkhng of cow
bell. The boy dug his toes in the dust
as he trudged along.
al had birthday once a CLEAN of
pleasant recollection in his eyes. "lt
NASHVILLE nanny was alive. She made
me some fried cakes, and we had din
ner outdoors-Bingo and me-"
Didn't you invite anybody?" the
girl asked curiously.
No" he replied; Il didn't know any
body that / thought would come. So
we just drove some sticks in the
ground and played they were CON-
pany."
But | would have come" the girl
said. enthusiastically.
"If | have another birthday. some
time, would you come ?"
"Yes," she assented cheerily.
Then ] wili-no, 1 can't" he replied,
soberly; II forgot. can't, because
because-you know why can't"
There was a tremble in his voice
"Yes, / know" she said. "Your
mother"
She saw a sudden tear gHsten in his
eye. and she crept close to him and
locked her arms around his neck. 81
want TO be your little sister. Nav ~"
she said.
He brushed the sleeve of his faded
gingham shirt across his eyes and
smiled in answer.
Il win always admire you" the girl
continued. 'for you are big and strong;
and shall always love you, for you are
lonely"
When they reached the path thatled
to the boys home he paused.
"Will you wait here just moment?"
he asked. 81 have something for you"
For me?" she replied, surprised.
"Yes," he replied; something for
your birthday"
He disappeared around the corner of
the house and she waited. listening to
the music of the river and the song of
a robin in the top of an elm tree. Pres
emily the boy reappeared, leading
yellow dog tied 10 a rope.
She watched him curiously. as he
descended the path toward her. and
where the wild grapevines partly hid
him from her sight she saw him kneel
in the grass and throw his arms around
the dogs neck. But when he emerged
from behind the vines his lips were
pressed closely together and his eyes
shone with upshed tears.
"You win not be Disappointed he
asked anxiously. noticing the wonder
on her face. 81 am sorry it is oil
have His name is Bingo. Nanny got
him for me when he was only pup"
He held the end of the rope toward
her and she reached out her hand and
took it and tried TO speak, but could
not.
For moment the boy glanced across
the meadows. carpeted with young
clover and bluegrass Then he turned
silently into the path.
But the girl caught him by the sleeve.
"Oh," she cried, 81 cannot take
your" She paused suddenly as q
shadow of disappointment swept
across his face. Il mean that--that
YOU are good ard brave and generous.