Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-09-02


They seldom spoke TO each other and
Roy never complained OF WEAKNESS,
no matter how long nor how rough the
tramp. But once, when they had been
walking long time, Hold glanced
down and saw tears standing In the
baby's eyes, the little lips were press
ed tightly together to keep back the
sobs. lie quietly stopped picked up
the little chap and carried him.
"Who knows what dormant In
stlncts OF paternity We're awakened In
the man as he felt the small, soft form
cuddled against him and heard the
Sigh of content with which Roy
dropped his head upon bis friends
strong shoulder?
Matters went on like this for
year. Then trouble began to rain upon
the LarksOns. First severe illness
attacked the husband and father. No
sooner had he recovered than their
one COW, which furnished large part
Of their living, died, and their horse
soon followed. Another horse and COW
they must have, but how to get them?
Mr.. LarksOn's illness had eaten up all
the small savings which the closest
economy had enabled them to make
In this extremity, Larkson bethought
him Of his well-to-do neighbor, and at
last, with much reluctance, decided to
ask for a loan.
"'What security can you giver SAX
ed Hold Turner.
None but my note replied Lark
son. AS you know. do not own the
place where live, and so cannot
mortgage It,
Just so, just So grunted Turner,
and was silent while hope died in
Larkson's breast But presently Hod
said abruptly:
What would you say to mortgage
ing one OF your chlldrenY
"Larkson stared in amazement, then.
as II was borne in upon him that
Turner was in earnest, he rose from
his chair and with an air Of dignity
that ennobled his careworn, work
lined face, 'Good-evening, SIR was all
he said
No, no. Turner cried, eagerly, sit
down, man, SIT down. and let me ex-
plain. You wouldn't DO selling your
child. I'll lend you what you want
and you can pay me interest. But If
at any time the interest lapses for two
years, why, the child just comes over
to live with me. He'd be yours Just
the same, Turner paused a moment
and then continued. almost bashfully,
it's little Roy I want, you know. /
I'd be good to him.
"Larkson hesitated. His need was
great, but could he do this thing? He
glanced at his companion. Turner.
waiting for his answer, was watching
the children at play across the road.
and Larkson saw the look Of deep ar
fectlon and longing which came into
the older mans eyes as Roy's clear
laugh rang out He suddenly felt
that he, not the man before him. was
the richer Of the two, and an impulse
OF generosity come to him. But he
said only, III talk to the boys moth
err
I'm the end 1t was arranged as Tur-
ner had suggested, though not without
many tears from the mother. and
many signs from the father. For, IN
spite of Turner's assurances it did
seem as II they were selling their
child.
For some time all went we'll and
! hn lt,fn IL.
another little Larkson appeared upon
the scene, typhoid fever attacked thu
two oldest children, and finally two
years had elapsed since any interest
had been paid on the strange mort
gage.
Roy was years old when Turner
foreclosed and took the boy to live
with him. By this time the Larksons
had become accustomed to the idea
they saw they never could pay thell
debt in any other way and knew
moreover that It was doubtless a for
tunate thing for the boy to have wo1
the love OF this man who could do 81
much for him. And really, It was no
so very hard to bear. after all. Roy
was at home as much as ever, the ONLY
difference being that at meal timel
and at night he went across the road
His mother cared for his clothes al
usual, but Turner insisted on paying
her for II.
"A change had geen gradually com
ing over Hold Turner. The child's low
seemed to have made another man o
him and he was now as genial as h
had formerly been gruff. He lived Il
the boy, made plans for his futur
and spoke Of him as his son. As 70
Roy, he was quite contented and har
by with the new order OF things.
zone night the climax Of the Iark
sons troubles came. There was a or
or 'fireP that awoke Turner and Ro
across the road. How the fire ha
started no one knew, but before II wa
discovered 1t gained such headwa
that there was barely time for all tn
family 10 escape when, amid walls Q
grief and dismay, the roof fell. Not
thing was saved.
Then Hold Turner gave proof OF tn
change wrought In his character. II
opened wide his big house and too