Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-01-24

The night was clear and cold. As
John Thornton stepped out on to the
main street of Silver Bow from the
hot, heavy, smoke laden atmosphere
of the Nevada saloon. from the rattle
of chips and the whir of the roulette
wheel, the fresh, clear morning air
struck into his lungs with peculiar
gratefulness. The stars seemed par
ticularly pure and radiant after the
yellow oil fare lie had lsst He gave
sigh of satisfaction and started up the
ugly, struggling street for the Eagle
hotel.
Thornton had come into Silver Bow
to "haye fun" Out on his ranch
among the foothills the stir and life
of the town, the streets filed with
cowboys and miners in to get their
Christmasing, the store windows bright
with toys and trinkets, the crowded
dance halls, the thronged saloons, had
painted themselves in vivid and NOV
ing colors, and yet after an afternoon
and night of it all he was puzzled and
rather Disguised to find the pleasure
already palled. There was spirit in
the air that breathed of the coming
Christmas, but what awaited it when
there was no one to keep Christmas for
no chick nor child nor wife nor sweet
heart for whom to buy presents? So
Thornton strolled slowly
bedward at o'clock in the morning.
when other strangers in Silver Bow
were at their liveliest. This for man
just off lonely ranch and in search of
pleasure argued something wrong.
And then LIE noticed boy The boy
had lotered up the street just ahead of
him in an obiectless, purposeless way
that concorded neither with the hour
nor a spirit OF reyelry by night He
looked as If he was trying to pass the
time He hung before store windows,
stopped to pet a forlorn and vagrant
cat or halted before saloon to rub
the nose of cayuse whose master was
loading up within. Thornton caught
up with him as he lounged In front of
the Little Delmonico, staring in at
the delicacies displayed to tempt the
hungry passer-ham and eggs. pork and
beans. little dishes OF vegetables. tri-
angles of pie He was a slender young
ster. poorly clothed, and his face was
thin and pinched.
Thornton studied him carefully from
his shapeless hat to the wornout, rusty
shoes.
Fright nice layout they've got in
here. Kind OF makes man hungry
just to look at it," he said genially. AT
least it does me-
The boy nodded and turned as if to
move away, but Thornton put hand
on his shoulder.
Look a-here," he said, what do you
say to dropping In here for little sup
per, you and /? I'm right hungry my
self, but just naturally hate to eat
alone, and you'd be doing big favor
il you'd join me-"
81 haven't any money" said the boy.
well, when | ask q gentleman to
take supper with me | don't reckon for
him to bring his bank roll along"
The boy hesitated and then followed
Thornton into the ROOM
"A big beefsteak with bacon and
fried onions on tie side would about
hit us, wouldn't it? And fried potatoes.
That's mew said Thornton as be gave
the order to the waiter. II certainly
am glad | met up with you. I'd been
mighty lonesome eating by myself. By
the way. don't know as | just got
your Manner
my names Heywood-Clem Hey
wood, suh.'
From the south, take i.y'
Eyes, sub Moth Carolina"
81 allowed you did. I'm a Carollnian
myself-that is, was twenty years
ago. and l reckon the most Of me is
yet. It's mighty good to talk with some
one from the old Moth State. I've been
meaning to go back there ever since
came out, but haven't made out to do
it. All my kin are dead. and so there's
nothing to go for, except that I'd like
mighty well to see the cotton shining
and get a bite of real con bread and
taste some scuppernongs."
The boy listened eagerly. He came
from Johnston county Did Thornton
know that county? Had he ever been
on the Greensboro road? 1t was just
off the Greensboro road that he lived
the old Haywood piace-the finest place
l., th6 xx-o,.fd It;d rT-nor,+<p vc,,, <.,, t.e,.
big hip roof brick house with white
pillars at the end Of an avenue just
after you passed Shiloh chapel?
Mr. Thornton did not, but he knew
other places just like it and eyinced
such lively interest that the boys talk
was only broken by the arrival Of the
steak. not checked. He was as hungry
for talk of home as be was for food.
and he poured out all his pent up home
sickness to the man sitting opposite
Little by little he told the tale of his
wanderings since he had run away
from that home. of weary tramps and
stolen rides. OF scanty food and casual
lodging, of hard. dirty. i'll paid work
uOne 10 Keep bouy ana soul tosttnef
and of the constant. bitter longing to
see his mother again-the mother to
whom he was ashamed to write.
''Your fathers dead:"
Eyes. sub; died when was five"
.And your mothers been running the
plantation ever SINGER
Eyes, sub. 1t amt so mighty large,
but it's all we had That's one reason
I ran away. 80 as to get rich and help
ner"
"She must be right plucky lady
your mother. Does she favor your
+ II don't know. I'VE got her picture
here. if you'd ike to see it, said the
hnr. He hror1rft ont q cafefnily vran-