The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1909-02-11
The Boy Mas Wanted



- --sss -
The boy awoke with start. FL
had slept soundly on his bed Of hay
1t was the most luxurious bed he ha,
known for long time. He had beef
very tired when be fell asleep. Walk
ing far. lodging across the fields. al
ways alert and watchful. he had worr
himself out. He was stin sore ant
tired when he awoke. His feet were
blistered and his head was hot and
heavy.
de saw a man standing IN the door.
way OF the barn He was a tail man
and his shadow seemed to reach men
acingly across the floor toward the
boy. By the shadow and the blue sky
beyond the man the boy knew that the
sun had been up for some time.
Come out here" said the man. The
voice was rough, but not unkind.
The boy arose with dificulty. He
wasn't quite sure that he could walk
But he shufied through the open door
way and stood in the strong sunlight
blinking and shivering.
The man looked at the boy. He was
not pleasant boy to look at. Dirty
and ragged and uncombed. his hungry
face and red lidded eyes gave him ?
wild and animal like appearance. he
sEas.la have run away. but he ~as too
sore Besides. he was tired OF running.
He was ready TO throw up his hands.
The tall maa came a little closer and
the boy cringed- The man stopped
short
whats your namez"
~Jem."
The boy answered suIlenly. He stiH
feared the expected blow.
How old are your"
sixteen
he was small for his age. underfed
and stunted.
Running aways"
The boy nodded.
aEfom the cityT"
The boy nodded again.
7 can't run no furder.v he hoarseIy
said I'm all In"
And why should you runzv
A defiant look came into the hungry
face.
cause I'm wanted back dere Dc
poleece wants me. It's honsebreakIn'.
Me an two odder kids got troo a cellar
door an lifted some things from gro
cry. We put 'em up fer 20 cents an
den de cops pinched me. But / slipped
under big Murphy's arm an got away
and den broke fer de hills an de woods.
An can't run no furder When youse
takes me back gotter be carried
Mebby dey'H give you somefn fer yer
trouble
He shivered again and rubbed his |
grimy knuckles across his eyes.
The tall man came a little nearer
and again the lad sfrank back.
Don't hit me-" he whimpered.
The tall man stopped and picked ND |
the boy and carried him across the
yard and put him In a low rocking
chair on the back porch of the old
farm house. The lad had kicked with
his little remaining strength against
this indignity. but the tail man did not
seem to mind IT.
'.Put me down. he had whimpered
and there was an oath on his lips, but
somehow the pressure Of that encfr-
cling arm seemed to tighten little and
the rage In the boys heart melted.
He leaned back In the rocker and
drew a long breath. What was this big
farmer going to do next?
Abigail" The tall mans voice was
strong, but 1t had a pleasant quality.
Yes. Abner. What is itY'
The voice that came from somewhere
In the interior Of the farm house had a
peculiar drawl that was pleasant. too.
And the owner Of the voice, not SO tan
as the man, but just as straight and
slender, appeared In the doorway.
Got little traveller here for you.
Abigail, said the tall man. Seems to
have been OVERRIDING himself. Needs
testing up and bite or two"
The woman stepped forward and ,
looked at the boy.
Mercy on mei' she cried ITS only /
! child Why, who's his folkssv
ave wont worry bout that now,
Abigail" said the tall man. You get
ne a basin Of hot water an I'll see II
can't take some Of ttr smartin' out
II these tired feet. An then you might
TX him UP an egg an some toast, meb-
W You'll know what
The boy shrinking back In the rock 7
ng chair stared from the rugged fea-
ures OF the tall man to the motherly (
ace Of the woman. AS far back as he
o'sld remember. nobody had ever be-