The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-11-13

sweet and tremulous, his was cool
and STILL His brown eyes we're care
less, hers were eager. His long,
strong hands were smooth and quiet.
Hers were knotted and work-callous-
ed and little uncertain. AS If some
thing in her words irritated him with
the sense of her sacrifice, Jason said {:
well, what did you and father
start me on this doctor idea for, ii
you felt it was going to ocst too
much?"
mo! No! It's not that" cried
his mother. There are still some
things to go, Jason. Take the St.
Bartholomew candlestick up to Mr..
Inchpin. He always has wanted it.
That will give you your fare to Phil
adelphia."
Jason looked up at the queerly
wrought silver candlestick that was
more like an old oil lamp than a
candlestick. His mothers grand
mother had brought it from France
with her. The family legend was
that some Huguenot ancestor had
come through the massacre of st..
Bartholomew with this only relic of
his home wrapped in his bosom.
3 Good" said Jason eagerly. THE
old thing is neither fish nor flesh
anyhow. Too big-mouthed for a
candle, and folks are going to use
coal-oil more and more anyhow. I'll
be off tomorrow
"Tomorrow's Thanksgiving, ia
son." said his mother.
''I'll be glad to forget it," said the
young doctor. God knows we've
nothing to be thankful for"
His mother looked at him little
curiously-for a mother. Were you
ever thankful to anybody, for any
thin, Jason?" she asked dryly.
''I've seldom had anything to feel
grateful about" answered Jason cool
ly. "All can remember all my life
is mush and milk, and poverty, and
wearing the pants of the rich boy of
the town we happened to be in. I'll
go up to see Inchpin tonight, mother
then l can get off by noon tomor-
row."
1t was on Thanksgiving Day of
1862 that Jason started back to Phil
adelphia. He said good-by to his
mother affectionately and promised
to write frequently.
Three times a week during the
year that FOLLOWED Jason's mother
saddled Old Pilgrim and rode down
to the post-office after the shrieks
Of the whistle had warned her that
the tri-weekly river packet had come
and gone. Each time he was doing
we'll and wanted money. The first
time Jason's mother sold her mahog-
any hat-box to the store-keeper's
wife. The second time the cameo
pin went to the doctors wife. The
third time she could send nothing,
she wrote Jason-and she wrote in
1eep contrition, for she knew that
Jason was half-starving himself and
working hard. The fourth letter
was urgent.
Pm going into the army, mother.
There's wonderful chance for sur
seons now. I must have a hundred
dollars, though, to buy into partner
hip with DR.. Edwards before l go.
That assures me of good berth as
'oon as the war is over. l think
you had better sell Pilgrim. You
eally don't need him, and you can
ret hundred for him easily, if you
ell him to the Government. Mr..
nchpin would tend to it for you"
Jasons mother read the letter
heavily. 1t was November again.
The river packets would not make
many more trips. Drearily the Ken
ucky hills rolled back from the river
nd drear;ly the Ohio valleys stretch
d inland Old Pilgrim plodded |
toward his stable and his
nistriss huddled in the saddle, I'M
eeding until Pilgrim stamped i'm
at the stable door. Then
he dismounted and the great horse
tamped into his stall.
II know that l don't need you, Pill
RAM" she said. cts just that you
re like living bit of Father-and
Jason would only see INTO under
tand that, it wouldn't be so hard to
1t you go. wonder If all young
olks ale like Jason?
Old Pilgrim leaned his head over
is stall and in the November gloam-
1g he looked long at his mistress
18th his wise and gentle eyes. It
as as If he would tell her he had
earned that youth is always little
ard; that only long years in harness
18th always the back-breaking load