The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-10-10

But the stranger had turned abruptly
and was hurrying down the street. The
carryall owner looked after him
thoughtfully.
Funny how he went from here right
out among folks. drumners an all
sorts, an got richer'n they did--scan'
alous rich. folks say. Funny. When
go to the city | git skinned every
time. But he does look old-older'n his
brother Joe. An If l member right
twas Tom who was youngest. WAL,
I'm glad l didn't tell him | was Lish
Larkin. the boy who whipped him the
FAY before he run Off Maybe 'twould
a hurt me gettin' rich. He, hev'
The hut was easily found, for, be-
sides the seven or eight houses left
standing in the village, it was the only
building the stranger saw. And the
carryall owner had been right about
its being in the woods, for there had
been no attempt at clearing or cultiva-
ton The trees and bushes grew close
up to the hut on all Sides and tangle
of wild vines nad taken possession of
two-thirds of the log step. AS the
stranger saw it and his eyes took in the
surroundings he paused with strong
emotion.
Poor Joe! Poor Joe." he said com
passionately. why didn't he let me
know? I never dreamed of this or of
the village being in such ruin. 1t was
fairly prosperous when / went away.
And Joe always wrote such bright,
cheerful letters, telling how happy be
was with his animals. l thought he
had a nice big farm that was we'll
stocked. He would never let me help
him. He had everything he needed, he
wrote, and more. And now this! Poor
Joe! Poor Joe. l have been to blame.
for l ought to have come down and
seen how things were going. l have
been too busy accommodating money.
And it was Joey who let me have all
his little hoard when l went away.
How people forget! But he shall new
er want anything more. l will take
him back to the city with me and let
him have all the things that money can
give"
A man was coming slowly around the
hut, with head bent humming the air
of some boyish wood song. The stran-
ger sprang forward so old and bent
as that" he thought. Poor Joey"
But as he advanced the man sud
denly raised his head. his shoulders
sQuaring. There was nothing old look
ing about Joe Alibone. His complexion
had the ruddy color of it's youth, and
his hair had scarcely commenced to
turn. Force might be lacking in his
face, but it was a face of perfect con-
tentment and happiness. gentle. loving,
thoughtful. benign, the face of poet
and dreamer, of philosopher. The
stranger gazed at him with wondering
recognition. then opened his arms.
Joey! Joeyr His voice choked
You look just the same as when | left,
only larger"
At the familiar name Joe Alibone
started, his face kindling. He had not
recognized the white haired careworn
figure before. But first he carefully
placed a rabbit which seemed to be
hurt, upon the ground. 1t was this he
had been looking at when he came
round the hut with bent head. Then
he caught his brother in his arms. his
face strongly expressive of the pity
and grief he felt
tom, little Tommy he said, the
love in his voice mingled with deep
self reproach, Il oughtn't to have let
We stay off there so long a-workin' an
a-wOrryin'. l knowed it all the time.
but | was easy an you was set, an it
seemed less trouble that away. But l
oughtnt. Tommy poor little Tommy.
| was older an should "a had my say.
we've growed old an tired out, while
I've jest LACED my life away here in
the woods. But We shan't go off any
more. Tommy. There amt no need. It's
nice here in the woods. an there's
plenty for both, an the houses plenty
big. Wen set on the log step an look
round at the birds an things an talk
It'll be nice. Do We member how we
used to set snares an climb trees an
watch squirls? Wen do it ag'in. only
we won't ketch 'em any more They're
nicer to look at. Law. law, it doesn't
seem forty-seven years ago sence We
went off, Tommy. Ye was thirteen
then an me Fifteen"
All the time his hand had been pat
ting his brothers back as though he
might be boy who needed pettng and
comforting after some youthful trial
or an unusually hard days work