The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1908-09-18
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 a farm from the
primeval woods, when Robert and
Thomas. their sons. arrived. respec.
lively. at the ages Of 20 and II.
Salathiel Wickersham had become q
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 op-
posite while striking alternate blows.
The boys we're tnseparsble In work
and play. although there was q dif.
ference Of three years In their ages.
Robert was slow, like his father
Thomas, independent and impulsive.
like his mother, Louisa Ellen, whose
baby and ewelamb he always was.
| 1t was on a notable September day
as Robert and Thomas were double
teaming on sturdy hickory, that Rob
ert. In response to Tommy's chip In. u
fell to and the two soon notched q
base away from the chip. Then Rob
ert. following his cry Of "chip!" 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 q resolution-had reached q
mental climax-and forgetting the
time and place, allowed Roberts de-
scending 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 unit
20 years had expired. and q suddeI
thought again stayed the arm oi
Thomas. and again smashed down the
az Of Robert, In the mountains of Col
orado. where they were led to SEE
again the long ago, and to remember
that they were brothers.
A fledgcling Of the Wiokersham mes
had flown away; 1t seemed for good
Salathiel said he would return whel
he had tried his wings. He looked To-
him soon. as he knew It did not tak'
an age for Tommy to get hungry. An!
remarks. however. about Tommy
hunger were kept from Louisa Ellen
who dreamed Of nothing else from ont
baking to another.
Within two years Salathiel wa
called to his fathers. and his las
thoughts were Of Tommy.
Louisa Ellen remained with Robsr,
and gently hoped and prayed for Tom
my's return. until six years more ha
passed. when she. pining for Tommy
died. With her last breath she urge
Robert to find Tommy. and Robsr
promised.
At the expiration Of two years NOR
ten years In all since Tommy d.
parted-Robert sold the farm an
moved west, never ceasing the scare
for Tommy. Time went by without n
suits until Robert had been In the ives
ten years. always looking for Tommy
Then came the dreams. and tn
meeting that spanned the River 9
Years, and achieved In q twinkling tn
realization OF Louisa Ellsn's gent
hope.