Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-04-07

dog to keep him company, and his
large, gloomy-looking house was
striking contrast to the little beehive
opposite He had the reputation of
being cross and grabbed and not one
of the older Larkson children would
have dared venture inside his stern.
white picket fence.
But little Roy was different. On
the day he was 3 years old he toddled
sedately across the road and straight
into the house where Hod Turner was
reading his paper. Hod glanced up
in astonishment, his sharp gray eyes
cleaning under his bushy brows, at
the pretty picture Of little Roy in his
pink and white dress, hands clasped
behind him, a pair of stray sunbeams
playing tag in his hair, and his solemn
baby eyes scanning with evident ap-
proval the grim man before him.
Man, Roy tum to see 'oo,' he an
nounced gravely at last.
"'Oh, he has, has he? grunted Tur-
ner. We'll, take a chair, sir
nat w as tit way lut
ship between the two began. Many
day thereafter Roy might have been
seen trudglng sturdily at Holds side
as the latter walked about, superin-
tending the work on his large farm.
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 a long time, Hod glanced
down and saw tears standing in the
baby's eyes; the little lips were press
ed tightly together to keep back the
sobs. He quietly stopped, picked up
the little chap and carried him.
"Who knows what dormant in
stincts of paternity were 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 his friends
strong shoulder?
Matters went on like this for a
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 a 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 loan.
"'What security can you give? SAX
ed Hod Turner.
None but my note replied Lark
son. AS you know, | do not own the
place where live, and so canno
mortgage it
Just so. just So, grunted Turner
and was silent. while hope died il
LarksOn's breast. But presently Hoo
said abruptly:
What would you say to mortgag &
ing one of your childrenY
"Larkson stared in amazement, then
as it was borne in upon him tina
, Turner was in earnest, he rose from
, his chair and with an air Of dlgnit.
, that ennobled his careworn, work
5 lined face, 'Good-evening SIR was al
, he said.
1 mo, no. Turner cried, eagerly, 81
f down, man, sit down, and let me eX
q plain. You wouldn't be selling you
!. child. I'll lend you what you wan
J. and you can pay me interest. But
f at any time the interest lapses for tw
d years, why, the child just comes owe
to live with me. He'd be yours jus
e the same Turner paused momer
=. and then continued, almost bashfull.
'. it's little Roy ! want, you know. l.
l. I'd be good to him.
d "Larkson hesitated His need wa
le great, but could he do this thing? II
ID glanced at his companion. Turne
a waiting for his answer, was watchin
the children at play across the roa'
Iy and Larkson saw the look Of deep a
r. fection and longing which came I'M
ID the older mans eyes as Roy's cle'
or laugh rang out. He suddenly re