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

tlOu " lhtec Qctlcaciees lie really
couldn't speak. and so he only nodded.
yes" said the woman. and her
pleasant smile deepened. Il thought you
would AN now must look after those
tired feet guess they've soaked long
enough she had brought with her :.
towel and some strips Of white cloth.
and cooling ointment. ana with these
she mlnistered to the hlistered feet.
Then she produced pair OF felt slip
pers and drew them gently over the
handages.
They're my slippers" she laughing
" told him. ''but l guess you can shut
file round in them
He looked down at the slippers. The
old resentment rose in mis- breast.
Il want me shoes he snarled.
She looked at him curiously
You couldn't get 'em on II you had
EN- she said. San there amir but
one OF EN- here. Brother Ahner took
the other one with him TO town"
But the wave Of resentment still
foamed In his breast
4 kin run away Just the same" he
cried.
The woman patted his shoulder.
II guess I wouldn't run away till
after dinner" she smillngly said.
And then he felt ashamed and hung
his head. 1t was heavy head and
presently when 1t bodied uncomfortably
the woman brought a cushion and put
it behind him and laid his head against
II. and there he slept until another |
delicious odor came to him and reused |
him. 1t was wonderfully good dinner |
and while he was eating 1t there on
the porch, with his bandaged feet tuck
ed upon a little chair. the tall man
looked out on him from time to time
and nodded to him. and the woman kept
him supplied. And after the dishes
were cleared and the tray was taken
away the man came to him with two
boxes-one small box and one that was
quite large
There wasn't much left OF those
shoes Of yours" he said. IAN It was
nigh time you had a new pair Here
they are. An that suit OF yours
pretty near ready to tumble OF an
this new one seems to have got here
Just in tn nick O. time" And he IN
covered the big box.
The boy stared at these marvels.
"F-for meT' he stammered-
Yes.
He laid his hand lovingly on the fold
d coat Then he looked up at the tail
nan. h
I'm bet tn cops II never know me
row. he said. IT
So Jem's life began at Laurel farm I
Only he wasn't Jem any more He h
vas James now. and the name for a II
line was as strange TO him as his new b
.lothes But gradually he grew aecus- I
omed to the changed surroundings. TO (
he clean air. and a clean skin, and a
wholesome food and kind words. He
ouldn't understand it at all. and after '
while he gave up the attempt b
you amt forgot tn poIeece wants
ne, have your he said one day TO 4
he tall man while they were alone In
he big barn.
The tall man looked down at the boy.
Guess we won't bother the police &
ny as long as they don't bother u.s." /
e answered. "
And then one day a tramp came n
Rambling up the driveway. He was an Ii
gly looking fellow. drunk and surly c
he tail man stopped him before he ii
Duld speak q
Nothing for you he sharply said n
he fellow hesltated, then turned to-
ard the road. But midway he stopped Z
nd shook his eIenched hand at the o.
III man and uttered a maudlin threat. I
I'D shambled on q
Presently, when the tall man looked X
round for the boy he was gone. He
&C slipped behind the hedge and was q
blowing the tramp. II the latter real b
had mischief In bis heart the boy IN
cant to find it ont. b
SO presently. when the vagabond g
rched from the roadway and climbed y
Ie fence and went up into the little ny
owe back of the big barn. the boy
as close behind him where the shad- y
vs. we're fhickest And when the ~
amp sat down In the grass and drew az
it his pipe and fumbIed for his match al
!. the boy was very near. IS
IT had been dry season and the =.
ass quickly caught the fame from - -
e match the vagabond flung to one -
de- The boy saw the tiny glare and
rang toward it, but the tramp, strug- -
Ing to his feet, stopped him. -
Let It alone,v he cried thickly. @who ~
resp WI
Let me alone" shrieked the boy, and =
wild rage filed him. He caught MP n =, -
ort branch that was fying at bis feet -
ct me alone"
Tne tramp hinged at aim and the -
y struck him. a heavy blow across the s ,n
adj He saw the fellow reel back and 10
lgger bIIndly away, and then he lli'
ng himself at the flame and beat It ~,
II ran this way and that. and while =, =.
fiercely fought 1t he screamed wildly -