The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-08-13
it's to be hoped he's altered, or he
won't be much good to her,

The man stepped out of the public
house, wiping his ! mouth with the
back of his hand, and slowly shambled
along the shady side of the street.
His jacket was buttoned up close to
his chin, and the frayed ends of his
trouser legs, trailing the lust at every
step, almost hit the heelless boots.
He halted irresolutely outside of
small row of cottages, and, after
glancing furitively' up and down the
deserted road, raised the latch and
hesitatingly entered the room.
Anybody in?" he queried.
The old woman, sitting In her ac-
customed chair, turned her head at
the sound of his voice, peering with
blinking eyes at the sunshine that
blazed in through the open doorway.
who is it?"
"It's me, mother. Don't you know
me?"
She rose quickly, and stood one
hand on the arm Of her chair, the
other shading her eyes from the glare
of sunlight, against which the mans
figure made black, ill-defined patch.
Me; Jack, yer son. Don't yer
know me?" he repeated.
ooh; my boy, my boy!"
She ran to him, and pulling him by
the arm into the DINNER recesses of
the room, forced him into the chair
she had just vacated.
"An' you've come back at last-at
Iast!"
She had pulled his frowsy cap off
and was stroking his head. ooh,
John! I've wanted you sore"
She was crying now, and the man
moved restively under her caresses.
At length he put her awkwardly from
MIN and growled: Eyer might give
US some grub, mother; I'm nigh
starved"
She busted herself laying out the
meager contents of the larder, and
then all was ready the man moved
forward from the dim corner and
took his place at the table under the
little square window. He ate wolf
ishly, his eyes fixed greedily on the
food before him, and the old woman
assiduously replenished cup and plate
as they became empty. At the same
time she gradually realized his un-
kempt condition, but said nothing un-
til he had finished his meal and
thrown himself, with a grunt of sat.
isfaction, back into the ricketty arm
chair.
Il afraid, John,'' she queried tim.
Idly, you've been SEEM hard times?"
"Ye're about right there, mother"
ne answered. I've bin on the road
this last couple O. years. On tramp,
yer knows"
Poor boy She patted his hand. |
Never mind, you'll stay with me now
in your home"
Thet's jest what can't do, an it's |
what l wants ter talk ter yer about. |
Yer see, got into a little trouble wi |
the perleece last night few miles
back along. A open window, yer
knows"
"Oh, John! The perleece?"
Yes, the perleece. A Teller must
live"
The OLD woman commenced to walk
distractedly up and down the room.
But they'll take you to prison."
she sobbed.
The man laughed harshly. That's
fact, less can git away"
He hesitated second, and then
continued hurriedly: Cant yer give
us some money. mother SOS can cit
away from this part O the country ?".
She stood, a look Of despair slowly
deepening in her faded eyes, and then
silently she crept to an inner room.
She remained away so long that the
man began to drum impatiently on the
arms Of the chair. She returned at
last, and walking up to him laid a few
pieces Of silver in his ready hand.
TITS all I've got, John-ten shilluns
it is, my boy--I-"
Then with a sudden access OF ter
ror she pushed him out itno the sun
ny street.
ON! go, my boy, go! They may
lie coming now"