The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17

the foam ike tHal, anu Shc piSW away
the feathery milk.
He remembered his mother had told
him he could milk if he only would
The man eyed him sharply but good
naturedly.
II guess if you'd wash your face
I might be. little better able to
jedge of your looks" he laughed.
..Sakes, yesr' cried Mrs. yanderver.
He took me all of a heap or Id a
thought of that before"
"I reckon you didn't bring any dress
suit, did ye?" inquired Mr. Vanderver.
mo, I didn't bring any, answered
Jack Il didn't have any,
II went to town today thinkin' I'll
pick up some youngster willin to get
a breath of fresh air, an little pay;
but bless you, they'd rather starve
or sicken than leave the city
Jack murmured some answer.
THE ole woman says you're tired o.
cities. That shows you've got some
sense You can sleep here tonight, an
II the work suits you in the morning
an you suit me, I'll trade with you.
So long,
You'll sleep in the bedroom" said
Mrs. Vanderver, lighting candle for
Jack. she paused on the threshold
a minute, looking at Jack kindly.
Were homely folks here, chile, an
I've got three boys an little girl
layin' in their graves out there cross
the raAvine, but we allus says our
prayers Say yours, chile, n if your
mas alive or dead shell know"
Jack looked out the little window
over the moonlit limitless view. Two
great hot tears fell on his hands. and
the hoodgates of his heart were OPP
ened but yet his pride was not broken.
Today you can dig -taters,'" said
Mr. Vanderver, next morning. III give
you six dollars a month an board an
iwashin. an that's bout as good as
you'll get this way
When do you think you'll be going
to Osceola <again?" asked Jack.
Not fore Christmas answered
Vanderver II ginerally aim to take
in some truck then. lay in my Christ
mas dinner, an get enough provisions
to last till spring" And he turned, to
go to work.
IF you need any clothes" he called
back. .'the old woman will fix you up
something to do till holidays. We
haint got any sassiety here
All Jack wanted to do was TO send
his mother little letter and tell her
where he was. Through the night he
had dreamed of her running, falling in
the darkness. searching for him. He
dreamed of her with torn and bleed
ing feet feeling over the prairie for
him: he had heard her praying and
raving and he felt that 1t was all
true. even when he was awake.
At noon that day Jack could not eat.
He had done a half days steady work,
something he had never thought of do
ing at home His long tramp in the
Indian summer sun had exhausted him.
'Haint sick. eh" asked Mr.. Wander
YER Jack shook his head, but his lips
were pale.
He's just tuckered out pa. Better
let him rest this evenin'.'
Well there haint no particular hurry
bout the taters, an / don't want any
sick boy round here. that's certain
But there was little of talking about
permission to stay in, for Jack was soon
raving of home. of mother. of the city,
the stage and crying, until good Mrs.
vanderver was nearly crazy
Il do reckon that boys homesick as
well as feverish.''
PA" she said solemnly as they came
from milking Pied. you've got to
make UP your mind to go after some
medicine for tlat boy. He's plum sick.
sure"
Go to osceola?" asked Mr.. Wander
Yer in amaZement.
yes, sir. To Osceola. and while
you're there may be you'll hear some
thin bout him.
lie next MI. NdhuEINcl. Oii
his stout mustang, was ambling along
the stage route toward the city.
He stopped to read the bills that We're
posted here and there along the route;
1t was habit of his and had its charm
for him.
Suddenly he lifted his hat and struck
the mustang across the neck.
Hear thatv' he cried. Disappeared
from home September the nineteenth,
heavy built, brown eyes and hair, rather
handsome. One hundred dollars reward
for any information of his where
abouts.''
That's him." said Mr.. vanderver ex-
citedly. And 1 guess I'll just take
down that address and send them
parents word"
Mr.. yanderver came gayly home
His wife reproached him for the
noise he made and had him listen to
the hoarse breathing and muttered
prayers of poor Jack.
Here's his medicine, poor feller. l
guess I've got news for you, OF
woman. Give him a dose an then
come out here
With many abs and Land sakes'
Mrs. Vanderver lived through the re-
cital, and pa concluded, "and there's
them hundred dollars, they amt bad.
When Jacks fever broke and he op-
ened his eyes to natural life again.
he saw his mothers face above his
own.
Mother" he said timidly.
My poor little boy whispered his
mother. tearfully.
You hain't goin' to hate me. are
you?" he asked an 1 wish 1 could
see father"
A strong bony hand clasped the boys
weak one.
Il am here. my son." answered his
fathers calm voice.
Father took 1t awful hard" whis-
pered his mother. You don't know
how he loves you."
oh mother, I'll never be a bad boy
again. see 1t all now, just how good
you were to me even when / was saucy
and disobedient. / am going to do the
milking too, ma. l can, now"
But there's another. not u.s. began
his mother. Jack nodded his head
You mean Cod" said Jack 81
know. l am going TO be good all
through"
And he fell asleep with fathers
tears on one hand and his mothers
smiling lips against the other.
Temptation