Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-11-25
A Thanksgiving Dream
By Gertrude Rodermond.

BY Gertrude ROdermond.
"I'm powerful glad to see that ar
light In the window-it's like the light
o Heaven In this November drizzle,
muttered the old New Highlander to him
self, stretching forth a hand scanned
with pillow wrestling to extricate an UNI
brella twisted In some bushes.
Farmer Sloan had seen that light In
the window for the past two years, but
not until now had its real significance
dawned upon him, and he sighed.
Il WISH" he unused aloud, that had
half the faith in that ar boy that Marthy
has. Two years this Thanksgiving since
he went away, an Marthy-but pshaw
all mothers are like that-still some
times 1t makes me little shaky-what
If l should be mistaken after ALI Now,
that thar candle" gazing intently at the
speck of shining light becoming lighter
as the distance diminished, sis thar for
Joseph. l dreamed last night that he
wuz home agin, an l swan I'd almost
forgive his getting Off with the fowl
money if he'd come back tomorrow
just to reward the love back O. that
ar light"
For a moment he took a mental sur
vey of the pies and buildings seen in the
DdnlIy III tue morning, anu Nouuditu
why 1t was that Marthy had spent so
much time in getting up the little cup
cakes no one ate but Joseph. He has
tened his tagging feet until he gained the
heights and entered the old colonial
kitchen, lighted by blazing walnut logs
piled high in the huge fireplace.
'Wall, this is comfort" and stepping
to the fireplace, he dropped into a high
backed rocker. Mother, motherw he
called.
''Is that you, fayther?" called CHEEKY
voice from an upper chamber.
Before he could reply she ran lightly
down the stairs and was standing beside
him. A sigh of relief echoed through
the warm kitchen, and he rose with an
enthusiasm and agility that would have
done credit to twenty-one, and folded
the pretty, thrifty little housewife In his
arms.
"Who's a-comin' tomorrow, mother"
he asked.
''Elizai and many times my heart
would have broken but for her faith and
cheering words. and this, In the face Of
the fact that her intended husband was
driven away as thief upon her wedding
day, proves Joseph made no mistake
when he decided to add a daughter to
our household. She will be here to-
morrow, and / have fixed up Joes room
for her"
A shadow crossed the old mans face
as he gazed intently at the fire. After
an interval of painful silence he rose,
gave a weary yawn, then kissing Mar
thy on either cheek, slowly climbed the
high, narrow stairs and went to bed.
Sitting alone In the freight, strange
thoughts thronged that mothers mind.
Two years before there was a scene In
that very room she would fain forget
Farmer Sloan had entered the house
calling to her from the porch that he
had laid the market money upon the
kitchen table, and bade her take care
of 1t. She was busily carding wool in
an outer room, and did not heed the com.
mand Finally she assembled the stairs
and going straight to the kitchen table
looked for the money, but not trace OF
It was visible. The kitchen door had
been left open-certainly by her husband
and she called impstiently to Joseph
who was dressing In an upper chamber
to take Eliza upon the last drive she
was TO enjoy as "AIiss Eliza" and think
ing he was playing one of his childish
prsnks upon her, she called In a voice
unusually harsh. The young man hast
ened to her, his eyes flashing fire.
''Mothe-, do you think 1 am a boy
again to tease you In this wayT
Before she iould speak her husband
threw wide the door and looking into
her pallid face surmised the cause and
roared;
"Joe, hand out that money!
Father, l swear before heaven and
mother, have not touched your money
have not seen it"
The old man strobe forward and
grasped his son by the collar.
"None o that" he roared give ur
that money, or you leave this house for.
ever, an that gal for whom you have
stolen it VIII never darken these doorsv'
"Oh, fayther don'tw shrieked the ter
rifed wife. Joseph never touched that
money-Ill never believe itp'
you liel' cried the father, enraged to
the verge Of insanity.
Instantly the strong young man crap
pied with his aged parent, and clutching
him by the throat forced him into the
chair upon which he had been sitting
shouting;
flake that back, fatherl Take that
back or I'll choke the breath out Of your
body"
Like lightning the mother wrenched hi.
strong hands from her husbands throat
anu ulukAn6 AhOul Ills neck
held him as in a wise.
''Joe-my darling baby. for mother:
sake don't lay your hands on fayther
He's wrong, but remember you are young
and his son, and something is due tc
old ageg
For your sake, mother, will desist
but l leave this house, and never shall
be see my face again. If l stay it will
mean-murderv And picking up hi
hat he left the house. striding rapid,
down the hill, going in the direction o.
ELIAS home.
At the click Of the garden gate
pretty, demure looking maiden, clad II
a pink frock, ran down the walk L
greet him, but started in dismay at his
flushed face.
Taking her into a small grove adjoin
Ing her home, unmindful of wraps, they