Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1910-11-24

You remember how you used to
come down for the mail. Tommie, and
I'D have you come in and help sort
the letters?"
An expression that was almost a
smile dawned slowly across the boys
haggard face. Il remember we used
to initiate one another's handwriting.
JOSH" he said. slowly.
Yes, and | got at last SOS / could
write just like you, Tommie. Remem-
Der you used to tell me you could al
most believe 1t was your own writin'?"
- remember. Josh Go on. There's
something behind all this. I'm waiting
to hear IT," when you got into trou-
be over at Maxton's and"
and skipped. Yes. Well, go on,
can't your"
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 I'M
derstand you'd got big position out
west. I'm afraid | wrote 'em letter
from you, Tommie. tellin EN- all
about it and askin' forgiveness for not
biddin' 'em goOd-by." The other
nodded his head on his breast.
you were always a big-hearted
fool, JOSH he said, hoarsely Il can't
understand why you won't get me
little whisky"
Il remember their faces when they
read that letter." said the grocer,
heaving big chunk on the fire. 81
remember how glad they both was.
Your ma said you'd be writin' again
soon and let them know how you liked
it, Well, you did" Il wrote again,
did I?' Yep you wrote every week
you've been away. and that's how
| lOng-let's see?' six years ago, day
after tomorrow, Josh"
you sent some money home. too"
continued the big man. after an in.
terval of silence. "Quite a little bit
of money Fifty dollars once, and
ten-spot every now and again" The
speaker laughed queerly. his face
working only last night they got p
letter from you, Tommie. with $50 in
it Christmas box, | think you called
/ it, Something like a sob came from
the bowed figure.
your pa most always read your let.
ters to the neighbors They're right
glad you're doing so well Every
4 Christmas Eve your ma and him come
over here and buy a Christmas turkey
with the money you send them al
ways have a laugh at your pa. 'Tl
eat TOmmie's share" he says. ~Cause
/ it's next best thing to hSvin' 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 / have
TO In order to know how to answer
them. They got a letter from you last
night with their Christmas money in
It, and they've answered il already
Here's their letter with your address
on it. Maybe you'd like to read it?"
The young man reached out sha-
king hand for the letter. The other
watched his face as he read. When a
tear fell with a splash on the cramped
writing, the grocer spoke again.
you can send me to Jail for dom
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
man.
Josh, old JOSH" he spoke treni-
blingy. You've n-you-are--
oh, I'll make it all up to you some
d0y' he broke out, lifting his head
I'm going to be man. l know I'm
not fit to go to them now I've been
drunk for days! But promise me you
viii 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
tig smile. He took the boys hand
I'm goin' now. You just lie down on
he sofa here You'll stay at my place
until after Christmas. He moved to-
ward the door Then he turned
Shall fetch you anytime" he asked
gently.
Nothing" answered the youns
lnan. smiling. I'm perfectly salts
fed. Josh"
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, glancing
about her fearfully bent forward, hes
itated, bent forward again, and kissed
the big man on his broad forehead.
God bless you," she said, gladly.
God bless you for sendin' for our
rommie. I'm right glad you think
him so smart" The grocer laughed
awkwardly.
yep, TOmmie's goin' to work for
ne" he called. And with his heart
in harmony with the jingling bells,
he passed into his store.