The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-12-16
Thornton's
Chris mus Gif'
BY r. 3. WRIGHT sS
Copyright 1908. by T. c. Mcclure

not, neaVy, smoke laden atmosphere
Of the Nevada saloon, from the rattle
of chips and the whir of the roulette
wheel, the fresh, clear morning air
struck into his lungs with peculiar
gratefulness. The stars seemed par
ticularly pure and radiant after the
yellow oil flare he had left. He gave
sigh of satisfaction and started up the
ugly. struggling street for the Eagle
hotel.
Thornton had come into Silver Bow
to "have fun Out on his ranch
among the foothills the stir and life
of the town, the streets filed with
cowboys and miners in to get their
Christmasing, the store windows bright
with toys and trinkets, the crowded
dance halls. the thronged SALOONS, had
painted themselves in vivid and NOV
ing colors, and yet after an afternoon
and night OF it all he was puzzled and
rather disgusted to find the pleasure
already pal!ed. There was q spirit in
the air that Drcatbed Of the coming
Christmas. but what availed it when
there was no one to keep Christmas for
no chick nor child nor wife nor sweet
heart for whom to buy presents? So
Illuminating, Thornton strolled slowly
beGward at 2 o'clock in the morning,
when other strangers in Silver Bow
were at their livelicSt. This for q man
just off q lonely ranch and in search Of
pleasure argued something wrong.
And then be noticed u boy. The boy
had loitercd up the street just ahead of
him in an objectless, purposcless way
that concorded neither with the hour
nor a spirit of revelry by night He
looked as If lie was trying to pass the
time. He hung before store windows,
stopped to pet for]orn and vagrant
cat or halted before saloon to rub
the nose of Il Cayuse whose master was
loading up within. Thornton caught
up with him as he }ounged in front Of
the Little Delmonic0, staring in at
the delicacics displayed TO tempt the
hungry passer-ham and eggs, pork and
beans. little dishes of vegetables, tri-
angles Of pie. He was slender young
ster. poorly clothed, and his face was
thin and pinched.
Thornton studied him carefully from
his shapcless hat to the wornout, rusty
shoes.
Right nice layout they've got in
here. Kind of makes Il man hungry
just to look at it," he said genially. SAT
least it does me-"
The boy nodded and turned as if to
move away, but Thornton put n hand
on his shoulder.
Look a-here." he said, what do you
say to dropping in here for little sup
per, you and 1! I'm right hungry my
self. but l just naturally hate to eat
alone. and you'd be doing big favor
if you'd Join me-
II haven't any money" said the boy.
well. when / ask q gentleman to
take supper with me don't reckon for
him to bring his bank roll along"
The boy hcsitated and then followed
Thornton into the room.
"a big beefst,rak with bacon and
fried onions on tie side would about
hit us, wouldn't III? And fried potatoes
That's me-" said Thornton as he gave
the order to the waiter. Il certainly
am glad l met UP with you. I'd been
mighty lonesome eating by myself BY
the way. l don't know as I just got
your nameT"
"My names Hcywood-Cl Hey
wood, suh."
Prom the south, I take itY'
eyes, suh-No'th Carolina"
II allowed you did. I'm Carolinian
myself-that is, was twenty years
ago. and | reckon the most of me is
yet. It's mighty good to talk with some
one from the old Moth State. I'VE been
meaning to go back there ever since
came out, but haven't made out to do
it. All my kin are dead. and SO there's
nothing 10 go for, except that I'd like
mighty well to see the cotton shining
and get bite Of real con bread and
taste some scupperlongs."
The boy listened eagerly. He came
from Johnston county. Did Thornton
know that county2 Had he ever been
on the Greensboro road? 1t was Just
OFT the Greensboro road that he lived
the old Haywood place-thc finest place
In the world. Did Thornton remember
Il big hip roof brick house with white
pillars at the end of an avenue just
after you passed Shiloh chapel?
Mr.. Thornton did not. bat he knew
other places just like it and evinccd
such lively interest that the boys talk
was only broken by the arrival of the
steak. not checked. He was rs hungry
for talk Of nome as he was for food.
and he pour cd out all his pent up home
sickness tC, the man sitting oDposite
Little by little he told the ta1e Of his
wanderinas since he had run away
from that home. OF weary tramps and
stolen rides. Of scanty food and casual
lodging, of hard, dirty, i'll paid work
done to keep body and soul together
ana or the constant. bitter longing to
see his mother agai n-the mother to
whom he was ashamed to write.
Your fathers dead %
10 -s,,I, ~