Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1909-12-15


you remember how you used to
come down for the mail, Tommie, and
I'd have you come in and help sort
the letters?"
An expression that was almost a
smile dawned slowly across the boys
haggard face. 81 remember we used
to initiate one another's handwriting,
JOSH" he said, slowly.
Eyes, and / got at last SOS l could
write just like you, Tommie. Remem-
Der you used to tell me you could al
most believe it was your own writin' %
81 remember, Josh. Go on. There's
something behind all this. I'm waiting
to hear it." when you got into trou-
BILE over at Maxton's and"
"And skipped. Yes. Well, go on,
can't your"
WELL. somehow, the matter was
hushed up and kept from your old
folks. Maxton never said anythin' ,
and we gave your pa and ma to un-
derstand you'd got big position out
west. I'm afraid 1 wrote 'em letter
from you, Tommie, tellin' 'em all
biddin' 'em good-by." The other
nodded his head on his breast.
"You were always a big-hearted
fool, JOSH" he said, hoarsely. "I can't
understand why you won't get me a
little whisky"
81 remember their faces when they
read that letter." said the grocer,
heaving a big chunk on the fire. i
remember how glad they both was.
Your ma said you'd be writin' again
soon and let them know how you liked
it. Well. you did" IT wrote again,
did II" yep, you wrote every week
you've been away, and that's how
long-let's see?" "Six years ago, day
after tomorrow, JOSH"
you sent some money home, too, J"
continued the big man, after en- In
tervaI Of silence quite a little bit
OF money. Fifty dollars once, and a
ten-spot every now and again" The
speaker laughed queeriy, his face
working. "Only last night they got a
letter from you, Tommie, with $50 in
It. Christmas box, think you called
it." Something like a sob came from
the bowed figure.
your pa most always read your let
ters to the neighbors. They're right
glad you're doing so well. Every
Christmas Eve your ma and him come
over here and buy Christmas turkey
with the money you send them-I al
ways have a laugh at your pa. "I1l
eat Tommie's share" he says. "Cause
it's next best thing to havin' him
home. We're right proud OF our Tom
mie,' he always ends. They've been
writing you, too, every week regular.
/ read all their letters, cause I have
to in order to know how to answer
them. They got letter from you last
night with their Christmas money in
it, and they've answered it already.
Here's their letter with your address
on it. Maybe you'd like to read it,"
The young man reached out sha-
king hand for the letter. The other
watched his face as he read. When a
tear fell with a splash on the cramped
writing. the grocer spoke again.
"You can send me to Jail for doin'
what I've done, Tommie. In one way
1t was wrong, very wrong. I've been
guilty of openin' letters"
The other held up a thin hand as
though to ward off blow Then he
rose weakly and came over to the big
man.
Josh, old JOSH" he spoke trem-
blingly. you've been-you-are-
= 20
day." he broke out, lifting his head.
I'm going to be man. 1 know I'm
not fit to go to them now. I've been
drunk for days! But promise mo you
will take me to them soon, JOSH"
"Day after tomorrow night is the
anniversary of your goin' away. Well
go then" promised the grocer with
I'm goin' now. You just lie down on
the sofa here. You'll stay at my place
until after Christmas. He moved to-
ward the door. Then he turned.
"Shall 1 fetch you anything" he asked
gently.
Nothing" answered the young
man, smiling. I'm perfectly salts
fed, JOSH"
An hour later the grocer carried an
armful of groceries and threw them
into the back of the sleigh. Merry
Christmas to you both, Mrs. Law
renee" he cried, tucking the robes
about the old couple. The old man
chuckled, and the old lady, glancing
about her fearfully, bent forward, hes
itated, bent forward again, and kissed
the big man on his broad forehead.
God bless you," she said, gladly.
God bless you for sendin' for our
Tommie. I'm right glad you think
him so smart" The grocer laughed
awkwardly.
"Yep, Tommie's goin' to work for
me-" he called. And with his heart
in harmony with the jingling bells,
he passed into his store.