The Washington times., 1905-12-17


re found young Bill on guard ovei
table for four with all the chairs
tlited against II as q warning L
strangers. II was late. and the place
quite emptied Of breakfaSters and
the several entertained waters haf
gathered behind Billy's- imp ,Ttant-
looking back Lin provided a thor,
ouSh meal, and Billy pronounced the
n9nnel cakes superior TO fiapjacks
which were not upon the bill OF fare
Ike 10 see you often" said he
IN come and see you if you don't 1--we
puncher II do. Awful far" He
stared out OF the window
We'll. ] might come some time. |
wish you'd write me letter. Can
you write2'
What's that? Can I write? Oh. yes. -
u can write, an I can read, too.
I've been to school III Sidney. Ne
braslIa. an Magnaw, Kansas. an Salt
Lale-that's the finest town except
Denver"
Don't you like music?" inquired
Billy.
Yes" said Lin.
Ladies with their husbands aGsd chill
dren were passing and meeting, order
y yet gayer than If it were only sun
day. and the salutations OF Christmas
came now ard again TO the cow
puncher's ears; but today. possessor
Of his own share IN this. Lin looked at
lenge, and young Billy talked SlOng
beside him.
Don't you think we could go in
here2' Billy asked. a church door
was open. and the rich organ sounded
through TO the pavement. They've
good music here, an they keep IL UP
without much talking between. I've
been in lots OF times
They Wect in and sat 10 hear the
music. Better than the organ. it
seemed 10 them. were the harmonious
voices raised from somewhere outside,
like unexpected visitants; and the pair
sat IN their back seat too deep in lis
tening 10 the professional hymn to
think OF rising IN decent imitation of
those around them The crystal mel
Ody of the refrain especially reached
their understandings, and when for the
fourth time Shout the glad tidings,
e0cUltantly sing" pealed forth and
ceased, both the delighted faces fell
Don't YOU wish there was more?"
wish there was a hundred verses. e
answered Lin
There was a touch In mis- arm. and a
woman handed a book 10 him This is
the hymn we have now, she whispered.
gently: and Lin blushing scarlet. took
it passively without word he and
Billy stood - and held the book to-
gether dutifisly reading the words:
1t came upon the midnight clear.
That glorious song of old
i
To touch their harps OF gold;
Peace on the earth"
This tune was more beautiful than ali.
and Lin lost himself IN il. until he
found Billy recalling him with finger
UPON the words.
The music rose AID descended &c its
lovely and simple end; and for second
time In Denver Lin brushed hand
across his eyes
Couldn't we shoot your pistol now?''
asked Billy
Sure. boy Amt yu' hungry. thought
No. | wish we were away on up
there Don't yOu2H
The mountains2 They look pretty
so whitei A heap hetter'n houses. Why,
we'll go therei There's trains 10 Cold
en-. Wen shoot around among the foot
hills
To Golden they Immediately went,
and wandered in the open country until
the cartridges We're gone. the sun was
low and Billy was walked on his young
heels-a tr1lth he learned complete IN
one horrid moment.
Lame ile echoed. angriiy. Il ain I
''Shucks. said Lin You are. and
both feet"
am just a-skpping them
Lin took the boy IN his arms and car
ried him 10 Golden. I'm PLAYED out
smyself," he said. sitting il the hotel
and looking lugubriOUsly at Billy on a
bed And 1 amt fit 10 have charge
I'm not sick" said the cripple. 4
tell you I'm bully You wait an. see
me eat dinner
But Lin had hot water and cold water
and salt. and was an hour uDOn his
knees bathing the hot feet And then
Billy could not eat dinner
There was n doctor in Golden; but IN
spite Of his light prescription and most
hi T. T.N
passed a foolish night Of vigil. while
Billy slept, quite well al first and. as
the hours passed better and better. in
the morning he WAS entirely brisk
L couldn't work quick today he
said. But l guess one day won't lose
me my trade"
How d yu' mean" asked Lin.
why, I've got regulars. you know
Sidney Ellis an Pete Goode has theirs
an we don't cut each other. I've got
Mr.. Daniels an Mr.. Fisher an lots. an
If you lived in Denver I'd shine yOuI
boots every day for nothing. l wished
shine my boots? You'll never And
yu' don't black Daniels or Fisher. or
any Of the outfit"
L was not so simple this case To
the perturbed mind OF Mr. Mclean il
grew less simple during that day al
Golden while Billy recovered. and
talked. and ate. The cow-puncher was
L4l tob Wise 10 lnlnh Tor q SlaSte no
nent of restoring the runaway 70 his
debauched and shiftiess parents Pos
ScSSed or some imagination. he went
through scene in which n appeared
~ the IuSk threshold with Billy and
forgiveness. and intruGed upon con-
Jugal assault and battery ''ShuckS,-
said he The kid would be or again
inside a week. And I don't want him
there. anyway
Upon New Years eve Governor Bar
kcr was overtaken by Mr.. Mclean rid-
ing "a horse up Hill street, Cheyenne
Hello said Barker Have good
drunlC?"
'Changed my mind" said Lin, grin
ring Proves I've got one. Struck
Christmas all right. though"
Who's your friend2' inquired his
EXcellency.
This Is Mr. Billy Lusk. Him and
me have agreed that towns amt nice
20 live IN. Il Judge Henry'S foreman
and his wife won't board him ~ Sunk
Crgek--why. III fiX il somehow
The Cow-pTncher ard his Response
tility rode on together toward the open
plain.
cellency-
.E;.s5;sI: .Es5;Ss:@laAAn 100 ID