The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-01-13
Thornton
Chris mus Gif'
BY F. B. WRIGHT ~
,oo, -,
Copyright. 1908. by T. C. Mcclure

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
gratcfulncSS. The stars seemed par
ticularly pure and radiant after the
yellow oil flare he had left. lie gave Il
sigh of satisfaction and started up the
ugly. struggling street for the Eagle
hotel.
Thornton had come into Silver Bow
to have fun" Out on his ranch
among the foothills the stir and life
of the town. the streets filled with
cowboys and miners in to get their
ChristmaSing. the store windows bright
with toys and trinkcts. the crowded
dance halls. the thronged saloons, had
painted themselves i'll vivid and NOV
ing colorS, and yet after an afternoon
and night of it all lie was puzzled and
rather Disguised to find the pleasure
already palled. There was Il 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
Illuminating, Thornton strolled slowly
bedward at o'clock in the morning,
when other strangers in Silver Bow
were at their liveliest. This for 4 man
just off Il lonely ranch and i'll search of
pleasure argued something wrong.
And then lie noticed boy. The boy
had loitered up the street just ahead of
him in an objectless. purpoSeless way
that concorded neither with the hour
nor 4 spirit of revelry by night. He
looked as if he was trying to pass the
time lie hung before store windows.
stopped TO pet n forlorn and Vagrant
cat or halted before saloon to rub
the nose of Il cayuse whose master was
loading up within. Thornton caught
up with him as he lounged in front Of
the Little Delmonico, staring i'll at
the delicacies displayed to tempt the
hungry passer-ham and eggs, pork and
beans. little dishes of vegetables, tri
angles of pie. lie was 4 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 it does me-"
The boy nodded and turned as if to
move away. but Thornton put Il hand
on his shoulder.
Look here" he said what do you
say to dropping in here for a little sup
per, you and |? I'm right hungry my
self, but I just naturally hate to eat
alone and you'd be doing Il big favor
if you'd join me-"
Il haven't any money" said the boy.
"Well. when | ask a gentleman to
take supper with me l 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 the side would about
hit us, wouldn't it? And fried potatoes.
That's me-" said Thornton us he gave
the order to the waiter. Il certainly
am glad l met up with you. I'd been
mighty lonesome eating by myself. BY
the way, l don't know as l just got
your name"
MY names Heywood-Clem Hey
wood sub"
From the south, l take it:'
Yes, suh-No'th Carolina"
81 allowed you did. I'm Il Carolinian
mysef-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 so back there ever since l
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 Id like
mighty we'll to see the cotton shining
and get Il 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 place-thc finest place
in the world. Did Thornton remember
big hip roof brick house with white
pillars ut the end of an avenue just
after you passed Shiloh chapclE
Mr. Thornton did not, but he knew
other places just like it and evinced
such lively interest that the boys talk
was only broken by the arrival OF the
steak. not checked. lie was as hungry
| for talk of home as he 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
wandcrin@s 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
| done to keep body and soul together
and of the constant. bitter longing to
| see his mother again-the mother to
whom he was ashamed to write.
/ Your fathers dead:"
| YES. sub; died when was five"
and your mothers been running the
plantation ever SINGER"