The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1908-11-26
OVER THE
HILL

on and on.
Perhaps il he should follow it long
way, it would take him where his
pretty mamma was. His Aunt Kate
wasn't pretty, and though she took
good care of him, he didn't like her
bit. And there was his papa, who was
a doctor and knew a whole lot, but a
papa isn't like a mamma somehow
Boys always thought more Of their
| mammas-at least boys of seven did.
1t was hard enough for a little boy
not to have a mamma, but it was lots
harder to have one and not know where
she was.
For two years Davy had not seen his
pretty mamma. He remembered
vaguely that one morning he had asked
for her, and his father, with grave
face, had told him that he couldn't see
her any more. He knew that she
wasn't dead, for he Rad heard his papa
say once to Aunt Kate:
1T would not have been 80 hard IL
she had died"
He had decided then that his
mamma had gone long way off and
left him and his papa. AT that time
they had lived in the city; but the
next summer his papa had sent him
to see his Aunt Kate and somehow he
had stayed with her ever since. This
year his father had moved into the
country, and now had large practice
Davy was not happy. His aunt
wouldn't let him do what he wanted to-
1t was fancy of his that sometime he
should find his pretty mamma If only
Aunt Kate would allow him to look for
her, and it seemed to him that If he
should follow the road over the hill
she would be waiting for him
somewhere. But he had never had a
chance to try until to-day, when his
Aunt Kate was called to see a sick
neighbor
Then Davy quickly decided that he
would follow the white road over the
1t was the hottest day Of the season,
and the sun beat mercilessly down on
the little figure as it trudged bravely
along. After awhile Davy grew very
tired, but he still kept on. When he
reached the steep hill which he had so
often looked at from a distance he
was nearly exhausted, but he only
stopped to rest for moment.
Then he started to climb it. 1t was
hard work for .he little chap, but final
L. h. CT he ,,,,,;f T,,pt
tie way in the distance was summer
hotel. AS he drew near he could see
ladies in white linen fitting about, and
gentlemen in fannels.
Davy's face was flushed and his
throat parched, and although he was
usually timid with strangers, he de-
termined he would ask the lady who
was sitting under tree with a TALL
dark man bending over her, for a
drink of water.
They were talking in low tones and
did not see Davy as he approached. He
would wait a minute, he thought be-
fore he spoke, for he did not want to
interrupt them. The little boy had
not seen the man who had assembled
the hill little behind him, and who
now stood only a few feet away.
why do you follow me from place
to place." the lady was saying. Davy
could not see her face, but somehow
he was sure he would like her. He
did not like the looks of the tall dark
man at all.
You know /" began the man. But
the lady, to silence him, put out her
hand; and it looked SO soft and white,
that Davy wished she would rest it
Just one minute on his cheeks which
were burning as they had never burned
before
You spoiled my whole life" she
went on is that not enough? You
made my husband believe that | was
false to him. l tried to explain, but
he would not listen to me. | had to
leave my home-my little child. |
came here SO | could be near him, so
that | might see him perhaps, some
times-and now you follow me. Why
do you prosecute me SO? You know |
despise you"
There was a silence; and Davy
stepped forward with uncertain steps
What made his head feel so queer?
The lady rose suddenly to her feet
and as she saw Davy she gave glad
little cry He took another step; then
with a smile he fell unconscious into
her outstretched arms. Pretty mann
ma" he had murmured
When Davy awoke to consciousness
he was lying with his head on his
mammals lap, and his papa was there,
too The tall dark man had gone
away.
How do you feel now" asked his
papa. Il guess the heat was too much
for you"
ooh, I'm all right" said Davy He
would show his pretty mamma how
| brave he was, and he struggled to his
feet, but as he tottered little, his pa
pa took him up in his arms. For a
moment he felt ashamed that his
mamma should see this, but when she
smiled reassuringly and said it was
| the best way he felt at east
well, son, ! guess we'd better be
| starting for home now" said his papa.
An icy fear clutched the boys heart.
What if he and his papa were going
| alone. He couldn't bear that
"Y-you're coming, amt you-pretty
] no fol