The Colorado statesman., 1910-11-19

carrying tray appeared upon the
walk. Her resemblance to the little
girl proclaimed the mother. Her man.
ner was as cordial as the boys.
Good evening. SIR" she said Cal
though 1t was only o'clock In the
afternoon). MY son has been for
tunate enough to make your acqualn.
tance see. Dimples. bring up the
table,"
The judge rose and bowed and STAN.
mered something. while the boy
brought from behind the tree a wobbly
rustic stand upon which his mother
put the tray
| Conversation became general and
for the first time in his life Judge Hol-
combe shone at an impromptu enter
tainment He paid the lady old-fash-
ioned compliments upon her home and
her children-upon the milk and the
wine, both of which he recklessly
drank and finally added: "Dimples-
Dimples-dear me-quite an extraor-
binary name for boy, is 1t not? But
like I'll"
Her low, sweet laughter answered
him: "Oh, his real name is not Dim
pies. 1t is a pet name. We southern
people are given to them. 1t seems
such pity, his father says, for a boy
to have all the dimples instead of his
sister,"
Il never thought much about dim
pies" the judge replied, but now that
my attention is called to the matter,
l must say that | think they are de-
cidedly attractive in boys. | think 1t
Is misfortune they are not more gen.
orally practised-I mean possessed"
His host beamed upon the company.
You see, mother, he can talk very
nicely. l knew he would after he got
acquainted. He was only bashful at
first"
The Judge had a wide reputation as
an after dinner speaker and his politi-
cal orations were not unknown to
fame, but this tribute of his new friend
touched him more than the encomiums
of the press. He exerted himself to
interest the lady and the child, and
| after delightful half hour rose to
take his leave.
Madam" he said, you have given
me unique experience, a practical ex-
hibition of the southern hospitality of
which we hear so much. My name is
Holcombe."
Dimples pricked up his ears.
"Oh, motherl Mother. he's got my
middle name. Maybe we can claim
kin"
What is your full manner" the old
man cried with an odd break in his
voice.
Jeremiah Holcombe Grey. Father
calls me Jerry when I'm good and
when I'm bad he calls me jeremiah Jr.
and says I'm like"
Hush, Dimples," his mother inter
rupted. but the visitors face had light
ed up with a radiance which took ten
years ago.
when you're bad he call 1t raising
Cain doesn't he? That was an ancient
phrase of your fathers when he was a
naughty boy himself-and he tells YOU
you are like old jeremiah Holcombe,
who wished to adopt him as his own
son, in whose office he studied law and
with whom he foolishly quarreled
years ago. Madam, 1t was once part
of my day dreams that there should
be some time upon this earth a boy
named jeremiah Holcombe Grey.
Strange that my dream should have
been fulfilled today at an hour when
life seemed to hold nothing for me-"
She would have spoken, the warm
light of understanding flooding her
beautiful face, but he raised his hand.
Not now. When your husband re-
turns tell him that there is lonely
old man at the hotel who longs to
know that bygones may be bygones
Tell him to forgive me and let me for
give him"