The Marshall republican., 1909-12-24

Ills hearer made a grimace. 81
want a drink" he seid. shortly.
You remember how YOU used to
come iowa for the mail, Tommie, and
Tc ha re you come In AMI help sort
the letters?"
An expression that was almost a
smile dawned slowly across the boys
iagg ,rd face. Il remember we used
to nGltote one another's handwriting,
JOSH" ne said, slowly.
Eyes, and | got at last eos I could
write just like you, Tommie. Remem.
Der you used to tell me you could al
most believe it was your own writin'?"
II 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 IN,
can't you?"
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 a big position out
west. I'm afraid | wrote 'em a letter
from you, Tommie, tellln' EN- all
aEout 1t and askin' forgiveness for not
"iddin' 'em good-by." The other
odded mis- head on his breast.
you were always a ~big-hearted
Dol, JOSH" he said, hoarsely. Il can't
Understand why you won't get me a
title whisky"
Il remember their faces when they
cad that letter." said the grocer,
.eaving a big chunk on the fire. 81
emember how glad they both was.
FOUR ma said you'd be writin' again
Don and let them know how you liked
:. Well. you did" 81 wrote again,
i'd L." Yep, you wrote every week
ou've been away, and that's how
'ong-let's see?" six years ago, day
after tomorrow. Josh"
you n some money home. too"
continued the big man. after an in.
terval OF silence. Quite a little bit
of money. Fifty dollars once, and a
ten.spot every now and again." The
speaker laughed queerly, his face
working, only last night they got a
letter from You, Tommie, with $50 in
1t. Christmas box, | think you called
IT," Something like a sob came from
the bowed figure.
Your pa most always read your let.
tiers to the ~neighbors. They're right
glad you're doing so we'll. Every
Christmas Eve your ma and him come
over here and buy a Christmas turkey
with the money you send them-I al
ways have a laugh at your pa. I'll
eat Tommie's share" he says. "'Canse
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,
I read all their letters, cause I have
10 in order to know how to answer
them. They got a letter from you last
night with their Christmas money in
II. and they've answered It already.
Here's their letter with your address
en- 1t. Maybe you'd like to read it,"
The young man reached out a sha.
king hand for the letter. The other
watched his face as he read. When a
tear fell with n splash on the cramped
writing, the grocer spoke again.
You can send me to Jail tor 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 a blow. Then he
rose weakly and came over TO the big
men,
Josh, old JOSH" he spoke trem-
blingly. You've been-you--are-
oh. I'll make it all up to o some
day" he broke out, lifting his head.
I'm going to be a a l know I'm
not fit to go to them now. I've been
drunk for days! But promise me you
will take me to them soon, Josh"
DAY after tomorrow night is the
anniversary of your goin' away. Wen
go then" promised the grocer with a
big smile. He took the boys hand.
I'm goin' now You Just lie down on
the sofa here. You'll stay at my place
until after Christmas. He moved to-
shall ! fetch YOU a%nythin'?" he asked
gently.
Nothing answered the young
man, smiling, Pm perfectly salts.
fied.' Josh" K
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, giancing
about her feartully. bent forward. hes
itated. bent forward again. and kissed
the big man on his broad forehead
God bless you." abe said. gladly.
God bless you for sepdiR' for our
Tommie. I'm right glad you think
him 40 smart" The grocer laughed
xwkwardiy: