Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-07-16

body who could beat me at that when 1
was boy"
The dog curled himself in the deep
grass. From the rivers bend came the
occasional tinkle of a cow-bell. High
overhead hawk circled slowly in the
blue of the sky.
The boy gazed at the mans heavy gold
chain and at the diamond in his shirt
front
Gee. I'll bet you have lots Of money, )"
he said.
The man laughed, good naturally.
Well-yes," he said, 81 have all l
think | will ever need. But then" he
placed his hand on the crown of the
boys torn hat, Il can't skip rocks like
you can, can II"
NO. said the boy, proudly. There
amt nobody around here can do that"
Il got rich after left here" said the
man, after pause, "but do you know, /
am sorry 1 ever went away"
Why?" asked the boy, digging his
toes in the wet sand
Because l was happier here than /
have ever been SINCE" said the man.
The boy loked at him questioningly.
You see, have forgotten how to skip
rocks continued the man. THAT is one
OF the big things have lost And then,
don't you know, all the time have been
gone have seemed to hear the ripple of
the river, and have dreamed Of wading
|, In the water and seeing the minnows
dart away from my bare feet And there
hasn't been day that haven't thought
OF her pure, young face"
The boy grinned.
Who is herr" he asked.
oh" said the man, as though awak-
ening from a dream, "she was a little
barefoot girl knew when l was boy.
She was always with me when was fish
| Ing or wading in the water She grew
up and so did 1. Then we had a silly
quarrel and 1 went away"
"Gee!" exclaimed the boy, excitedly.
Did you see that big fish Jump out Of the
water?"
The dog raised his head, YEARLY,
gazed at his master a moment then low
cred it again. A blue bird darted through
the trees, and turtle, summing himself
faint splash. Somewhere in the damp
grass CTlCNel was C0lTplnR.
Il wish | was a man and had lots OF
money" said the boy.
And | wish was just boy and didn't
have to wear shoes and could skip rocks
like you can" said the man. IF l could
see the sunshine cleaning on the bronze
of the hair of that little girl used to
know. / wouldn't care whether l had
any money or not"
81 don't like red headed girls" said
the boy. 81 like girls that's got-Gee,
That old fish jumped again. Bet come
down here tomorrer an catch i'm"
Where does your father live?" asked
the man.
The boy threw himself In the grass be-
side-the dog and let his hat fall on the
ground.
"Papa's dead" said the boy. HE died
long while ago. l guess the reason !
don't like red headed girls is because my
hair is kinder-what did you call it
bronze?"
He raised himself on one elbow and
glanced up the hill.
And your mother?" asked the man.
That's her comm down the path, .
replied the boy. Guess she must want
me for somethin'."
The man busted himself few mo-
ments with skipping rocks. Then he
turned and saw the woman standing be-
fore him.
. Her sunbonnet had fallen back upon
her shoulder and the sunlight was
cleaning upon her auburn hair. On her
face were the lines OF long years of sor-
row.
An instant the two gazed into each
others eyes. Then the man held out his
hands.
Jennie" he said, Tets go wading in
the river"
The woman's face flushed, but her eyes
| frightened and she put her hands in his
, They were trembling.
''Bob!" she cried; "oh, Bob"
Then gently freeing one hand, she
turned her face away and lifted her
apron to her eyes. ~--- --~-se.-i,..
81 am sorry" he said, Z"
mo, no." she cried, quickly, don't
be sorry, Bob. don't be sorry; oh, be
glad-as glad as / am. l believed
knew if you heard that-that he was
! dead"
The boy was sitting upright in the
grass, watching them with wondering
! eyes The man saw him and smiled.
Jennie" he said, still holding one
/ OF her hands. your boy can beat me
skipping rocks. Just watch him once
The boy sprang proudly down the
/ bank and gathered UP several fiat peb-
/ bles. which he sent, one after another
skimming across the water.
But neither the man nor the woman
/ saw them. For the woman's head was
| buried on the mans bosom, and he was
4 kissing the bronze of her tresses.
4 GrillAd Lion Steaks