Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1905-03-24


large, gloomy looking house was a
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 years old he toddled
sedately across the road and straight
into the house where Hod Turner was
reading his paper. He'd glanced up
in establishment, 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, pair Of stray sunbeams
playing tag in his hair, and his solemn
baby eyes scanning with evident APP
proval the grim man before him.
Man, Roy tum to see co. he an
nounced gravely at last.
"'Oh, he has, has hep grunted Tur-
ner. Well, take a chair, sir
That was the way the queer friend
ship between the two began. Many a
day thereafter Roy might have been
seen trudging 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 Row
dropped his head upon his friends
strong shoulder?
Matters went on like this for a
year. Then trouble begah to rain upon
the LarksOns. First a 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 IN all
the small savings which the closest
economy had enabled them to make.
In this extremity, Larkson bethourht
him of his well-to-dO neighbor, and at
last with much reluctance, decided to
ask for loan.
What security can you giveY 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 Hold
said abruptly:
:" What would you say to mortgag-
ing one Of your childrenY
"Larkson stared in amazement, then.
as 1t 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 be selling your
child. I'll lend you what you want
and you can pay me interest. But if
at any time the interest Iapses 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 bashfuIly.
it's little Roy I want, you know. T.
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 lock Of deep at
fection and longing which came into
the older mans eyes as Roy's clear
laugh rang out. He suddenly felt