The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-11-18
BENEFITS
A Thanksgiving Story of Abraham Lincoln.
BY HoNoRE wlLLsIE IN THE DELINEAToR.

This story is true, even TO the
words spoken. and it never before
mas been published. 1t was told to
me by the man who was Jason
Homer Willsie.
OLD Pilgrim kept his ears back and
his eyes ON his mistress. He breathed
heavily, but otherwise he did not stir.
He was a large horse. a gray, with a
small, intelligent head and a chest and
barrel like an elephants. On his right
Tore shoulder was a great three corn
cred tear, from which the skin hung
In a bloody fold. Jason was sewing
this up. Jason's mother, who was also
with one hand while she stroked the
Dig trays nose with the other.
BE careful. Jason, dol" she said
softly.
Jason grunted. You keep him from
biting or kicking and I'll do my SHARE
he said.
Pilgrim bite!" cried Jason's mother
softly. why he knows exactly what
you are doing and why!''
Again Jason grunted, working
swiftly, with the skill Of trained and
accustomed fingers. The candle
flickered on his cool young face, on his
black hair n on his long, strong, sur
- V looLo VIZ III
mothers sweet lips, on her tired
brown eyes and iron-gray hair. 1t put
nigh lights on the cameo at her throat
n made a grotesque shadow of her
hoop skirts OF 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
be some bad spikes in the pasture
to have given him hat rip.-Get
over there!"
This last to Pilgrim. who suddenly
a put his head on Jason's shoulder
with a soft muzZling of his nose against
the young Doctors check and a little
whinny that was almost human.
Why, Jason, he's thanking your
cried his mother.
Jason gave the horse a careless slap
md started out the stable door.
You'll be having it that he speaks
Greek next" he said.
You don't know him." replied ia
sons mother. This is the first time
you ever saw him. remember, These
last three years of your fathers life
he's been like one of the family" She
followed Jason into the cottage. "Often
ne said led 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
full. He wouldn't bulge if father for
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"
h little stove that was 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-rider
in Ohio move every year. His wife
reduced moving and living to pathet-
tcally simple terms.
Jason washed at the bench in the
corner, hen sat down While his
mother put the supper before him
fried mush. fried salt pork, tea and
apple sauce.
We'll" said Jason soberly, what are
we going to do now, mother?
Fathers gone and"
His mothers trembling lips warned
him to stop. "1t doesn't seem pos
sible,' she said, "that it's only a week
since we laid him away"
Jason interrupted gently. II know,
mother; but you and l have got to &c
on living
ITS you I'm Worrying about" said
his mother. II can get along, with the
help Of a little sewing and a little
nursing here in h village. the cow
and the chickens, and Old Pilgrim
But,you. Jason, after the doctors bills
are paid, how am l going to keep you
In Philadelphia?
Mother, I'VE got to get the money
somehow. Just a year more with DR.
Edwards and I can go iLto partner
ship with him. If we can just get
enough together to get me back there
I'll manage somehow"
Jason's mother sighed. Seems as il
we'd ought to have saved something
out Of your fathers salary. Two hum
dred and fifty dollars a year besides
donation parties is a good deal OF
money But it went, especially after
he was sicllly. Poor father! I've lei
most everything go so as to send you
the money, Jason. I'm most at my
wits end now But you've got to be g
doctor! Our hearts always were sci
mas silver teapot, that kept you s
month, and fathers watch nearly six
months"
Jason was very like his mother, yet
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 knottet
and work-calloused and a little un.
4ertain. AS if something in her words
lrritated him with the sense Of hel
sacrifice, Jason said:
well, what did you and father star
me on this doctor idea for, if you fell
1t was going to cost too much?"
mo! No! It's not that" cried his
mother. There are still some thing.
to go, Jason. Take the st. Bartholo.
NEW candlestick up to Mr.. Inchpin
He always has wanted it. That will
give you your fare to Philadelphia"
Jason looked up at the queerl,
wrought silver candlestick that wa.
more like an old oil lamp than {
candlestick. His mothers grand.
mother had brought it from Franc,
with her. The family legend was tina
some Huguenot ancestor had com
through the massacre Of st. Bartholo.
NEW with this only relic of his HON,
wrapped in his bosom.
'Good!" said Jason eagerly. "Th'
old thing is neither fish nor flesh any
how. Too big-mouthed for a candle
and folks are going to use coal OF
more and more anyhow. III be off to
morrow"
..,,,,,orrou,,. vbopl,s,;xy;np JoSo,