Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-03-25
Soldier Tom

sistently against the narrow windows.
A feeble attempt is being made by
the old folks to eat their breakfast,
which, for once. seems more than they
can accomplish. A spirit of unrest
has seized them. Evidently they have
a premonition of impending trouble.
The usually smiling face of Mrs.
Dodge. the matron, is sad this morn
ing. She glances down the long ta-
BILE, and seeing an empty chair, asks:
Where is Thomas?"
With one accord, they all glance
toward an opposite window. where,
gazing upon the blurred scene without.
Is a tall, thin figure. This is Thomas.
or, as the matron's little son calls
him, Soldier Tom"
Thomas" calls Mrs. Dodge softly,
'will you take your seat now? This
will be our last meal together, you
know"
With a stifed sob, the old man tot.
ters feebly to his chair. For once the
tall. commanding figure has lost its
military bearing. The shoulders are
stopped. The head is bent. AS he
sinks into his chair the matron
glances at the other inmates, who are
looking at one another in a dazed,
perplexed manner.
my friends" she begins, I'VE have
been friends, have we not? Well"
she resumes as a vigorous nodding
Of heads answers afirmatively, "as
Thomas and few others know, af-er
this morning, shall be the matron Of
this home no longer. My health has
always been poor and now that an
uncle has left me a little money, my
husband insists upon taking me TO
the country, where l may regain ny
strength"
The morning wore gloomily on. Tire
rain continued to descend in a splut-
tering, dismal manner. With the CON-
| ing Of noon came the carriage also
that was to take away the beloved
matron, her husband and their little
son, who was the brightest gleam OF
sunshine in that usually dreary home.
The farewells had been said, the
trio we're seated in the carriage, the
driver had just started his horses,
when a piercing, childish scream rose
above the drip, drip of the rain, and
:he low sobbing of the inmates.
Mamma, mamma! where is my
Sojer Tom? .tan't doe wifout my
5ojer Toni"
Soldier Tom is not coming. dear
There, there she said soothingly, as
the child threw back his head pre-
paratory to an awful outburst per
maps we will send for him bye and
)ye."
The day wore on. Evening set in
lark and cold. True to her promise,
Hrs. Dodge had left everything in
eadiness for the party. Although
he inmates of the home missed her
realty, still twas very seldom they
lad chance to partake of ice cream
nd candy. They we're but human, so,
Irying their tears, they we're doing
ull iissicce to the meal when some.
)ne asked:
Where Is Soldier Tom7"
%Oh. up in the attic, l guess. He
goes there every night"
Whats that?" asked Mrs. Dean.
One of the men goes up into the at
ic every night! I'll soon stop that
uonsense!"
AS she hustled out of the room the
men exchanged glances which dis
dnctly said:
Mrs, Dodge has gone. We shall
miss her"
Meanwhile old Thomas, sitting dis
consolstely upon An old box in a cor
ner of the attic, an unlighted pipe in
his, hand, was interrupted by Mrs.
Dean.
'Iwell. what is the meaning of this
Don't you. know you're not allowed up
hereF Ny goodness! the man has ae-
tually been smokingi"
mo, Mrs, Dean. I'm just holding
II In my hand tonight. You see, Mrs.
Dodge allowed me to come up here
can't sleep unless l have a little
smoke. and so Mrs. Dodge"
mrs, Dodgel Mrs. Dodge! I'm
tired OF that name! She has gone
and Mrs. Dean tells you that you'll
come up here no more. and you'll
smoke no more after hours! Do you
understand"
"Yes. ma'am," quietly replied the
old man, Il understand, understand, n
he murmured sadly, as he slowly left
the room.
Two weeks passed and late in the
afternoon of cold, crisp day ia De
cember old Thomas stood by a win
dow, look Of suppressed Joy in his
face and figure, as he held in his
hand a letter; a letter from Mrs
Dodge, in which she tells him she
Is now settled in her new home, but
her little son is not happy. Home Is
not home to him without his "SojeI
Tom" Therefore. she offers him q
home for life, home with her and
the child he loves.
With a sobbing cry of Joy, his preci
GUS letter pressed to his heart, ole
Tom fell senseiess to the floor. H'
'oon recovered and kind hands raised
lin and gently placed him upon hil
red. AS Mrs. Dean stood by his bet
r hat night, she heard him murmur
r Ny last night here; no more rules
20 more regulations. | shall be with
ny little man again. I am his Sojel
rom. ] shall sleep here no more. NJ
norel"
The day dawned clear and bright
The first rays of the morning sun fel
upon the peaceful, happy face of Sol
der Tom. He was sleeping. yes, con
tentedly sleeping TO wake in q bettel
world.-LILLIAN BEATRICE COLD
RICK.
A p.lnle,s Death.