Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-11-18

n thanksgiving Story of Abraham Lincoln.
BY HoNoRE wLLs,E IN reG pELlnEArcR.

Old Pilgrim kept his ears back and
his eyes on his mistress. He breathe6
heavily, but otherwise he did not stir
lie was a large horse. Il gray, with q
small, Intelligent head and a chest ant
oarrel like an elephants. On his right
fore shoulder was a great three corn.
cred tear, from which the skin huns
IN a bloody fold. Jason was ewins
inns up, Jason's mother, who was also
Pilgrims mistress, held the candle
with one hand while she stroked tho
Dig gray's nose with the other.
BE careful. Jason. do" she sai6
softly. ~
Jason grunted. You keep him from
biting or kicking and I'll do my share
he said.
pilgrim bite" cried Jason's mothe,
softly. Why he knows exactly VIVA,
you are doing and why!''
Agalh Jason grunted, working
swiftly. with the skill of trained and
accustomed fingers. The candle
Il1ckered on his cool young face, on his
black hair and on his long, strong, sur
eeons fingers. IT. fiickered too on his
mothers sweet lips, on her tired
crown eyes and iron-gray hair. 1t put
hlgn lghts on the cameo at her throat
ana mace a grotesque shadow Of her
hoop skirts c" the stable WALL.
FINALLY Jason Strengthened himself
with a sigh and wiped his hands on a
towel.
That's a good job" he said. "Must
pc some bad spikes in the pasture
renee 10 nave given him that rip.-Get
over therel"
This last to Pilgrim, who suddenly
had put his head on Jason's shoulder
with a soft muzzling of his nose against
tne young doctors check a little
"hlnny that was almost human.
why. jason, he's thanking your
cried his mother.
Jason gave the horse a careless s1an
ana started out the stable door.
You IL be having it that he speaks
Greek next he said
You don't know him." replied ia
son mother. This is the first time
you ever saw him. remember. These
mes been like n of the family" She
followed Jason into the cottage. "Often
ana often before your poor father died
ne said he'd never have been able to
keep on with the circuit riding and the
preaching if he'd had to depend on any
other horse than Pilgrim. That horse
Just knew father was sick and forget
ful. He wouldn't bulge if father for
got the eddie bags. When Pilgrim
baked, father always knew he'd for
gotten something and he'd go back for
1t. III have supper on by the time
you re washed up, Jason
The little stove that wa set in the
fireplace roared Justify. The kettle was
singing. The old yellow cat slept coz
lily IN the wooden rocker on the patch
work cushion. All the furniture was
simple and worn and there was not
much OF it. A Methodist circuit-ridcr
IN ONO moved every year. His wifa
reduced moving and living to pathet-
ically simple terms.
Jason washed at the bench in the
corner. then sat down while his
mother put the supper before him.
tried mush, fried salt pork, tea and
apple sauce.
We'll" said Jason sobcrly. what are
we going to do now. mother?
Fathers gone and"
His mothers trembling lips warned
him to stop. ut doesn't seem pos
sible," she said. that it's only a week
since we laid him away"
Jason interrupted gently. Il know,
mother; but you and 1 have got to &C
on living
Its you I'm worrying about" said
his mother. II car get along. with the
help of a little sewing and a little
nursing here in the village, the COW,
and the chickens, and Old Pilgrim.
But you, Jason, after the doctors bills
are paid, how am 1 going to keep YOU
in Philadelphia"
Mother. I've got to get the money
somehow. Just 3 year more with DR..
Edwards and l can go into partner
ship with him.. If we can Just get
enough together to get me back there,
III manage somehow"
Jason's mother sighed. Seems as if
wed ought to have saved something
out of your fathers salary. Two hun
dred and fifty dollars a year besides
donation parties is a good deal of
money. But it went, especially after
he was sickly. Poor father! I've let
most everything go SO as to send you
the money. Jason. Pm most at my
wits end now. But you've got to be a
doctor! Our hearts always were set
on it as much as yours, Jason. Grand
mas silver teapot, that kept you a
month, and fathers watch nearly six
months
Jason was very like his mother, vet
very unlike. Where her face was sweet
and tremulous, his was cool and still.
His brown eyes were careless. hers were
eager. His long, strong hands were
smooth and quiet. Hers were knotted
and work-calloused and a little un-
certain. As if something in her words
1rritated him with the sense of her
sacrifice, Jason said:
well, what did you and father start
me on this doctor idea for, if you felt
1t was going to cost too much?"
No! No, It's not that" cried his
mother. There are still some things
to go, Jason. Take the ST. Bartholo-
NEW candlestick up to Mr.. Inchpin.
He always has wanted it. Tha will
give you your fare to Philadelphia"
Jason looked up at the oueerly
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. Bartholo-
NEW with this only relic Of his home
wrapped in his bosom.
Good" said Jason eagerly. "The
old thing is neither fish nor flesh any
how. Too big-mouthed for a candle.
and folk are going to use coal oil
more and more anyhow. I'll be off to-
morrow"
'Tomorrow's Thanksgiving, JASON"
said his mother.
IN be glad to forget it." said the
young doctor. God knows we've moth
ing to be thankful for"
His mother looked at him a little
curiously-for a mother. Were you
ever thankful to anybody, for anything,
Jason?" she asked dryly.
I've seldom had anything to feel
grateful about" answered Jason coolly.
"All l can remember all my life is
muSh and milk. and poverty. and wear