Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-11-25
A Thanksgiving Dream
BY Gertrude R0dermond.

BY Gertrude R0dermond.
I'm powerful glad to see that ar
light in the window-it's like the light
20 Heaven In this November drizzle,'
muttered the old New Highlander to him
self, stretching forth a hand scanned
with plow wrestling, to extricate an UNI
Drella 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 l 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 allf 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
pantry in the morning, and wondered
why it 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 high
backed rocker Mother, motherw he
called.
SIS that you, fayther?" called a 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, motherT
he asked.
ELIZA; 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 a 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 l have fixed up Joe's room
for her."
\ shadow crossed the old mans face
as ne 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 tho freight, strange
thoughts thronged that mothers mind.
Two years before there wss a scene in
that very room she would fcin 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 babe her take care
of it. She was busily carding wool in
an outer room, and did not heed the com.
nand Finally she assembled the stairs
and going straight to the kitchen table
looked for the money, but not a trace of
IL was visible. The kitchen door had
been left open-certainly by her husband
and she called impatiently to Joseph
who was dressing In an upper chamber
to take Eliza upon the last drive she
was to enjoy as Miss 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.
3 'Mothe-, do you think l am a boy
again to tease you in this way7"
Before she iould speak her husband
threw wide the door and looking into
her pallid face surmised the cause and
roared:
zoe. 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 up
that money, or you leave this house for
ever, an that gal for whom you have
stolen it will never darken these doorsr'
"Oh, fayther, don'tw shrieked the ter
ri6ed wife. Joseph never touched that
money-Tll never believe itr'
"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
Take that back, fatherl Take that
back or I'll choke the breath out of your
body"
Like lightning the mother wrenched his
strong hands from her husbands throat,
and flinging her arms about his neck.
held him as in a wise.
"Joe-my darling baby. for mothers
sake don't lay your hands on fayther.
He's wrong, but remember you are young
and his son, and something is due to
old egev'
For your sake, mother. / will desist.
but l leave this house, and never shall
he see my face again. If / stay 1t will
mean-murder." And picking up his
hat he left the house, striding rapidly
down the hill, going in the direction of
ELIAS home.
At the click Of the garden gate a
pretty, demure looking maiden. clad in
a pink frock. ran down the walk Ia
greet him, but started in dismay at his
flushed face.
Taking her into a small grove adjoin'
lng her home, unnundful Of wraps, they