The Utah County Democrat. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1898-1909, 1908-09-19

the younger was almost instantly
met by the elder. with the joyous cry:
Tommy"
Salathial Wickersham had settled
early on the Mississippi bottom, in
Illinois. and had. with the indoor aid
and assistance OF his spouse, Louisa
Ellen, literally hewed farm from the
primeyal woods. when Robert and
Thomas, their sons, arrived, respec
lively. at the ages OF 20 and II.
Salathiel Wickersham had become
prosperous land owner, and his fam.
lily shared with him his prosperity. The
boys, Robert and Thomas. worked
about the farm, and apparently never
knew discomfort Much OF their la
Dor had been expended on the clear
ings that from time to time turned the
forest into plow-land. and they would
attack the largest trees and fell them.
Robert chopped with the right hand
nearest the ak. while Thomas was left
handed. This arrangement enabled
them to "double-team," standing OPP
posite while striking alternate blows
The boys we're inseparable in work
and play. although there was a diff
ference of three years in their ages
Robert was slow, like his father
Thomas, Independent and impulslve,
like his mother. Louisa Ellen, whose
baby and ewe-lamb he always was.
II was on a notable September day,
as Robert and Thomas were double
teaming on a sturdy hickory, that Rob
ert, In response TO Tommy's chip in"
fell to and the two soon notched a
base away from the chip. Then Rob.
ert. following HIS cry Of "chipl" sunk
his ak above the notch, followed by
Thomas AK, that fell in the cash made
by Roberts ak, and remained embed
ded there, for Thomas had suddenly
formed resolution--had reached a
mental climax-and forgetting the
time and place, allowed Roberts de-
seending ak to fall on his, and throw
around shower OF sparks. Tommy,
without further ado. and without with.
drawing his ak, ceased work and went
to the house.
This was the last time (for the next
morning Tommy was gomez that these
brothers raised an AK together until
20 years had expired, and a sudden
thought again stayed the arm of
Thomas. and again smashed down the
ak OF Robert, in the mountains OF Col.
orado. where they were led 70 see
again the long ago and to remember
that they were brothers.
A fledgcling OF the Wickersham nest
had flown away II seemed for good.
Salathiel said he would return when
he had tried his wings. He looked for
him soon, as he knew It did not take
an age for Tommy to get hungry. Any
remarks. however, about Tommy's
hunger were kept from Louisa Ellen,
who dreamed Of nothing else from one
baking to another.
Within two years Salathiel was
called to his fathers, and his last
thoughts were Of Tommy.
Louisa Ellen remained with Robert.
and gently hoped and prayed for Tom.
my's return, until six years more had
passed. when she, pining for Tommy,
died With her last breath she urged
Robert to find Tommy, and Robert
promised.
AT the expiration OF two years more
ten years in all since Tommy de
parted-Robert sold the farm and
moved west, never ceasing the search
for Tommy. Time went by without re
suits until Robert had been in the west
ten years, always looking for Tommy.
Then came the dreams, aud the
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