Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1905-02-02
ThOrnton'S
Christmas Gif'
BY r. 3. WRIGHT *

wheel the fresh, clear morning air
struck into his lungs with peculiar
gratefuiness. The stars seemed par
ticularly pure and radiant after the
yellow oil fare he had left lie gave
sigh of satisfaction and started up the
ugly, struggling street for the Eagle
MOTEL
Thornton had come into Silver Bow
to "havc fun" out on his ranch
among The foothills The stir and life
of the town. the streets filled with
cowboys ana miners in 10 get their
Chrlstmasing, the store windows bright
with toys and trinkets, the crowded
dance halls. the thronged saloons, had
painted themselves in vivid ana NOV
ing colors, and yet after an afternoon
and night of ii all be was puzzled ana
rather Disguised to find the pleasure
already palcd There was II spirit in
the air that breathed of the coming
Christmas. but what ayailcd it when
there was no one to Keep Christmas for
no chick nor child nor wife nor sweet
heart for whom 10 Duy presents! so
Illuminating. Thornton strolled slowly
bedwnrd at 2 O'Clock in the morning,
when other strangers in Silver Bow
were ut their liveliest This for Il man
Just off n lonely ranch and in search of
pleasure argued something wrong.
And then lie noticed a boy. The boy
had loiterel up the street just ahead OF
him in an objectless, purposeless way
that coucordcd neither with the hour
nor spirit OF revelry by night. He
looked as If he was trying to pass the
time. He hung before store windows,
stopped TO pet forlorn and raSrant
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 Dclmonico, staring~ in at
the delicaces displayed to tempt the
hungry passcr-ham and eggs, pork and
beans. little dishes of vegetables. tri-
angles of pie. He was Il 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
Right nice layout they've got in
here. Kind of makes Il man hungry
Just to look at It,, he said genially. AT
least 1t does me-"
The boy nodded and turned as If to
move away. but Thornton put n. 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-
~ haven't any money" said the boy.
well when | ask gentleman to
take supper with me don't reckon for
him to bring his bank roll along
The boy hcsltated and then followed
Thornton into the room.
"A big beefsteak With bacon and
fried onions on tie side would about
hit us, wouldn't 1t? And fried potatoes
That's me" said Thornton as he gave
the order to the waiter. Il certainly
am glad | met up with you. I'd been
mighty lonesome eating by myself By
the way. don't know ms just got
your nameT
"My names Heywood-Clem Hey
wood, sub"
"F'rom the south. take itT'
Eyes, sub Moth Carolina"
81 allowed You did, I'm Carolinian
myself that Is. | was twenty years
ago. and | reckon the most of me is
yet. It's mighty good to talk with some
one from the old Moth state. Eve been
meaning to 30 back there ever since |
came out, but haven't made out to do
II. 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 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 road2 1t was just
Off the Greensboro road that he lived
the old Haywood place the finest place
n the world Did Thornton remember
big hip roof brick house with white
pillars at the end of an avenue just
after you passed Shiloh chapelG
Mr.. Thornton did not but he knew
other places just like II aud evincel
such lively interest that the boys tall,
was only broken by the arrival OF the
| steak. not check ed. He was as hungry
| for talk of home as he was for food,
| and he poured out all his peut mp home.
| sickness 60 the man sitting opposite
/ little by little le told the tale Of his
| wuudcriuCS since lie had run away
| from that home. OF weary trampS ana
| stolen rides. OF scanty food ana casual
lodging, OF hard, dirty, III paid work
done to keep body and soul together
and Of the constant, bitter longing e.
see his mother again the mother to
whom he was ASHAMED to write
Your fathers dead"
YES, sub; died when l was five
/ and your mothers been running the
| plantation ever since;"
Yes, sub 1t amt So mighty large
but it's All we had That's one reason
| ran away, SO az TO get rich and helr
her"
"She must be right plucky lady
your mothtr Does she favor you