Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-02-24

Sam?- muttered the child. I'm SO
glad, so glad. Don't you feel sleepy,
Father Sam? You look tired-so very
tired. When we get to the pretty
country you will go to sleep, won't
you? You won't leave me, Father Sam,
will your
mo, l won't leave you, my Snow
Drop" muttered the old man, broken.
". "Try and go to sleep, Christmas;
lean ycur head upon my arm and shut
your eyes. Do you feel very tired?"
ooh, very, very, very tired, Father
SAM" lisped the little one. me won't
go to sleep, though, if you won't prom
Use to wake me when we come to the
country. / wan to see the birds and the
lowers you told me about. want to
see them when you do, Father Sam.
You'll wake me, won't your"
Eyes, I'll wake you, Christmas,
said the old man, rocking to and fro.
How twiet it is" lisped the boy.
SMAN0S DSbAAs VAIN 80 SoA4D4S UssS
here, 1t seems so lonely. 4peaS 10
'Tismas, Father Sam. Tell him about
the country, about the birds and the
trees we are going to see. | don't
like it to be so twiet. Speak to me,
Father Sam"
The Ole man cleared his throat.
want to hear about the country,
Christy?" he said, hoarsely. Were
in the country now Look, there's
some trees, and tomorrow we shall
see the birds"
Let me see them now
P'raphs shan't wake in the morning,
Father Sam. Let me see the brides
now"
"The birds are all gone to sleep,
asleep" said the old man.
But look at the trees; there's trees
and grass, Christy; that's country,
you know. Look at 'em and go TO
Sleep"
The child shook. his head
me 'fraid to go to sleep; we fraid
the bad man come and knock us
down. Father Sam, me 'fraid to go to
seep. "Tismas want to go home"
The old man groaned, and Rugged
he child to him with piteous, helpless
anguish.
1--WE can't go home. Christy; we
are too far away"
NO. said the boy. Not too far.
Tismas not too far. Father Sam
AXE him home to his little bed. 'Tis-
mas say his prayers and go to seep-
lie never hear the brides sing"
Never! Oh yes, you will, my lamb,
omorrow," said the old man, huskily
Go to sleep, my angel
The child sighed
Yes, Tismas go to sleep now. Fa-
her Sam, and If 'Tismas doesn't
wake up to see the trees and the
brides, Father Sam will tarry him
lone to his little bed, won't he?"
Yes, yes," burst forth the old man.
Father Sam will never leave his
'nowdrop, and Snowdrop must never
cave his old father-never, never."
Never, never!" lisped the child,
md, putting out his hand, touched the
I'D mans face with a smile of child.
sh love. ''Tismas never leave Father
sam. 'Tismas loves Father Sam.
T1smas go to s'eep now, and when
le wake mp he hear the brides sing
he brides sing"
The last words died away on his
little pale lips, and his bright golden
read sunk lower On the old mans
,reast.
Silence, deep and profound, feel
lpon the two.
The man outside frowned deeply.
;hoked sigh with a morose cough.
ina advanced to the doorway.
The old man looked up and held up
warning finger. Hush! he's alseep,'
lie said, with no surprise in his voice
It the unexpected appearance, only
owing, deeply anxious soiicitude FOR
luiet
The man nodded, stepped slowly
IND scftly into the shed, and, drop
ing down upon a broken milking
stool, leaned his head upon his hands
md gaEed at the two figures, old man
md child, with dreamy abstraction.
Half an hour passed, and the old
nan looked up with wan smile.
How sound he sleeps,' he muir
nured. He hasn't moved-not
linch, Heaven bless him. He'll he bet
er when he wakes-better when he
wakes"
Then the man spoke for the first
line.
Yes" he said in deep, mournful
bitter voice He'll be better when
ne wakes"
Something in the tone attracted the
mans attention, and he glanced with
half-fearfui suspicion at the stranger
Tor moment. then returned to his
slight rocking of the chllu Another
half hour passed, then the stranger
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