Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1910-12-22


smile daWned slowly across the boy'i
haggard face Il remember we used
to initiate one another's handwriting
Josh" he said, slowly.
yes, and / got at last SOS I could
write just like you, Tommie. Remem.
Der you used to tell me you could al
most believe it was your own writin'?'
- remember, Josh. Go on There's
something behind all this I'm waiting
hear it," when you got into trou
Die 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 a big position out
west "a afraid I wrote 'em a letter
from you. Tommie. tellin' 'em all
about it and aslSin forgiveness for not
biddin EN- 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 a
little whisky"
II remember their faces when the,
read that letter." said the grocer.
hoaving a 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, Wen, you did" q wrote again
did ~" 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. j."
continued the big man. after an in
terval of silence "Quite a little bit
Of money. Fifty dollars once, and a
ten-spot every now and again" The
speaker laughed queerly. his face
working. only last night they got q
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
tiers to the neighbors They're right
''N FNH az NNNNr 81 Wen. livery
Christmas Eve your ma and him come
over here and buy Christmas turkey
with the money you send them al
ways have a laugh at your pa. Tn
eat Tommie's share" he says. "Caus5
IT'S next best thing to havin' him
home We're right proud of our Tom
ME-. he always ends They've been
writing YOU too. every week regular
I read an their letters. cause I have
70 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 it already
Here's their letter with your address
on f. Maybe you'd like to read it?"
The young man reached out a 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 doin
what I've done, Tommie In one way
It was wrong, very wrong I've been
guilty of openin' letters"
The other held up a thin hand as
.hough to ward off a blow Then be
rose weakly and came over to the big
man.
Josh. old Josh" he spoke trem-
blingly you've been-you-are-
oh, TN make it all up to you some
d'y," he broke out. lifting his head
"im going to be a 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
60 Them promised the grocer with a
Zig smile. He took the boys hand
I'm goin now You just lie down on
he sofa here Youn stay at my place
until after Christmas. He moved to
ward the door Then he turned
Shall l fetch you anytime" he asked
gently
Nothing" answered the youas
man, 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 tAe robes
about the old couple The old man
,huckled and the old lady glancing
about her feariuly. bent forward, hes.
Itated. bent forward again. and kissed
he 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
lwkwardly.
Yep, Tommie's goin to work for
ne,' he called And with his heart
N harmony with the jingling bells
he passed into his store.
Practical Christmas Gifts.