The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-01-19
OVER :!3! THE
HILL

Davy looked wistfully at the road
which passed his aunt's house. He
knew that it led to the village, for he
had been there and he could see it
on the hill in the distance. He won
dered II it ended there or If 1t kept
on and on.
Perhaps if he should follow it a 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
doctor and knew whole lot but a
papa isn't like 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 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
''ooAi uSou, AOi AC iieiN hSuAN AAAo P~Pe-
| say once to Aunt Kate:
1T would not have been so 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 a 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 70 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
hill, until he had found his mamma.
1t was the hottest day of the season,
and the sun beat mercilessly down on
the little figure as it trudged bravel.
along. After awhile Davy grew very
tired but he still kept on. When he
reached the steep hill which ne had Sc
often looked at from distance he
was nearly exhausted, but he only
stopped to rest for a moment.
Then he started to climb it. 1t was
hard work for the little chap, but final.
ly he stood on the summit. Jlst lit
tie way in the distance was summer
hotel. AS he drew near he could see
ladies in white linen fitting about, and
gentlemen in flannels.
Davy's face was flushed and his
throat parched, and although ne was
usually timid with strangers, he de-
termined he would ask the lady who
was sitting under a tree with 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 minute, he thought, be-
fore he spoke. for he did not want to
J INTERRUPT lucIil. lie lltllc pOy Hdu
not seen the man who had aacended
the hill a little behind him, and who
now stood only few feet away
why do you follow me from place
TO placer" 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 L" began ne man. But
the lady, to silence him, put out her
hand; and it looked so soft and white,
that Davy wished she would rest 1t
Just one minute On his cheeks which
" were burning as they had never burned
before
You spoiled my whole life shs
: went on. rs that not enough? You
made my husband believe that l 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
a and as she saw Davy she gave a glad
: little cry. He took another step; then
with a smile he fell unconscious into
!. her outstretched arms. Pretty nam
= ma" he had murmured.
4 When Davy awoke to consciousness
- he was lying with his head on his
I mammals lap. and his papa was there
- too. The tall. dark man had gone
d away.
v How do you feel now" asked his
t papa II guess the heat was too much
il for you"
l. "Oh, I'm all right" said Davy. He
t would show his pretty mamma how
N bravo no WAS and no STRUGGLED tO his