The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-11-18

me by the man WHO WAS JdsOn.-
Homer Wtllsie.
OLD Pilgrim kept his ears back and
u eyes on his mistress. He breathed
Neayily, but otherwise he did not stir.
Ia was a large horse. a gray, with a
mall, intelligent head and a chest and
Aarrel like am elephants. On his right
lore shoulder was great three corn
&red tear, from which che skin hung
- bloody fold. Jason was sewing
his up. Jason's mother, who was also
Pilgrim's mistress, held the candle
Nth one hand while she strOked the
Bic gray's nose with the other.
N "Be careful. Jason, dol" she said
Jason grunted. "You keep him from
biting or kicking and I'll do my share"
he said.
a pilgrim bite!" cried Jason's mother
|ou are doing and why"
n Again Jason grunted, working
Bwiftly, with the skill of trained and
accustomed fingers. The candle
Sllckered on his cool young face, on his
Black hair and on his long strong, sur
keon's fingers. It flickered too on his
mothers sweet lips, on her tired
brown eyes and iron-gray hair. 1t put
Nigh lights on the cameo at her throat
and made a grotesque shadow of her
noon skirts on the stable wall.
Finally Jason Strengthened himself
With sigh and wiped his hands on a
howell.
THAT'S a good job" he said. Must
be some bad spikes In the pasture
Fence to have given him that rip.-Get
bver there"
This last to Pilgrim, who suddenly
had put his head on Jasons shoulder
with a soft muzzllng of his nose against
Ahe young doctors check and a little
Whinny that was almost human.
why, Jason, he's thanking you!"
Dried his mother.
Jason gave the horse careless slap
hnd started out the stable door.
You'll be having 1t that he speaks
Greek next" he said
"You don't know him." replied ia
bon's mother. This is the first time
You ever saw him. remember. These
asst three years Of your fathers life
he's been like one of the family" She
Followed Jason into the cottage. "Often
bnd often before your poor father died
be said he'd never have been able to
keep on with the circuit riding and the
pther horse than Pilgrim. That horse
bust knew father was sick and forget
ful. He wouldn't bulge if father for
got the Saddle bags. When Pilgrim
baked, father always knew he'd for
gotten something and he'd go back for
at I'll have supper on by the time
you're washed up, Jason"
Fireplace roared Justify. The kettle was
Singing. The old yellow cat slept coz
ply in the wooden rocker on the patch
work cushion. All the furniture was
simple and worn and there was not
much of II. A Methodist circuit-rider
|in Ohio moved every year His wife
reduced moving and living to pathet-
tcally simple terms.
Jason washed at the bench in the
|rorner. then sat down while his
mother put the supper before him
fried mush, fried salt pork, tea and
hpple 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. at doesn't seem pos
|slble," she said, shat it's only week
Since we laid him away"
Jason interrupted gently. 81 know,
mother: but you and 1 have got to go
ION living "
It's 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 the village. the COW,
and the chickens, and Old Pilgrim.
But you. Jason, after the doctors bills
are paid, how am going to keep you
|in Philadelphia?
Mother, I've got to get the money
lsornehow. Just a year more with DR..
Edwards and can go ITO partner
ship with him. II we can just get
enough together to get me back there,
Ill manage somehow"
Jason's mother sighed. Seems as If
we'd ought 20 have saved something
out Of your fathers salary. Two hun
dred and fifty dollars a year besides
donation parties Is q good deal of
money. But it went, especially after
ne was sicIxly. Poor father! I've let
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 a
doctor! Our hearts always were set
on Ii 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, yet
very unlike. Where her face was sweet
and tremu1ous, 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 caIloused and a little I'M
vertain. AS IL something in her words
WIFI ltle sense OIL HeT
sacrifice, Jason said:
Well, what did you and father start
me on this doctor idea for, If you felt
~ was going to cost too much?"
NO! Mol It's not that" cried his
mother. There are still some things
10 go, Jason. Take the st. Bartholo-
new candiestick up to Mr.. Inchpin.
He always has wanted 1t. That will
give you your fare to Philadelphia"
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 1t from France
with her. The family legend was that
some Huguenot ancest.r 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 folks are going to use coal oil
more and more anyhow. I'll be off to-
morrowl" 49, go :,
, '"romorrow's Thanksgiving. JASON"
said his mother.
III 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
carlously--for a mother Were you
ever thankful to anybody. for anything
Jason % che asked drvlv