Tombstone epitaph., 1915-11-21
"Howdy, Folkses."

cred hand and peered intently into his
bearded face, while he stood stiffiy.
with his eyes staring over her shoul-
der. why. it can't be-why, it's Jem-
my Peace!" she cried. softly. It's the
Jem ! use to know" And she placed
her other hand on his rough coat
sleeve and beamed in delight at de-
tecting him beneath his whiskers.
"Ya-as, it's me, ma'am," he awk-
wardly confessed. "Lawd, We two
amt met fer a dogs age. How dye
know me? l s'posed tn brand had
worn of"
Know you" she cried in little
birdlike voice; "as if could ever for
get you. You were-yes, Jem, you
were-you were handsome boy"
"A-kerchew." loudly sneezed Big
Mike.
Then the bystanders were precluded
from hearing much more as the inter
rupticn caused Mr.. Peace to suggest
gently:
Michael. ye're ketchin' cold out
here. Please, please go inside an take
tn boys with ye.'
Dear oil Jem," choked the proprie
tor. turning humbly away; and the
crowd, remembering the mornings in
structions. hoarsely chanted: "Howdy.
Mister Peace"
Despite the irrelevancy OF the salu-
tation the widows eyes sparkled with
new pleasure as she cried:
And to think, Jenl, it's forty years
| since we've seen each other: and
find you, as left you, exerting a
kindly influence over these rough
men"
The stage driver. catching the last,
gave an excellent pantomi-;e of man
strangling. and after kicking the OF
horse rushed blindly into the bar.
| whence issued series Of miniature
| explosions.
The sheriff. quickly observing the
warning CLINT in Mr.. Peace's eyes. hur-
riedly suggested an inspection Of the
settlement, to be followed by little
| dinner at his official residence. The
gray-haired little mother had moved
/ 4llA2 " q ooitci hicOd, dlAA aS iit iSui
walked along he found himself lavish
ing praise on his recent prisoner.
An it's proud | be L have ye an
| yer son at my table ter-day," he con-
cluded, warmly.
Everyone is SO kind" she protest.
ed, tearfully. And you all seem to
think so much of Fred. You'll be sorry
to have him go?"
I'D figgered on his stoppin' longer, "
said the sheriff, gravely.
Too bad ye have L start back ter
night" observed Mr.. Peace, sorrow
fully.
why" she returned in surprise, 81
had expected to spend a few days
here; so Fred could bid all good-by. !
could easily"
I've said my farewells, mother"
broke in the son, anxiously.
She halted and turned and surveyed
them with happy eyes. do you know"
she cried. you are for all the world
like two dear old cronies."
Brothers is better word" choked
Mr.. Peace, warily clasping the sherin's
inquisitive left.
As they turned a corner their con-
yersation was broken into by the ap.
pearance of five men. sent out by Big
nike to spy On the situation. Mr.
Peace Immediately fell behind the
widow and her son and ensconced his
right hand IN the bosch Of his coat.
whereat the broad grin Of AMUSEMENT
instantly evolved into wild-eyed. fer.
vent gaze of admiration. And the
quintet. lining the rough path. sa.
laamed deeply and awkwardly and
cried as oEe: "Howdy, Mister Peace.
Dear me! / feel almost unworthy
to be in such fine company" said the
widow. playfully.
I'D bet-that Is. II was gansiin
man" said tie sheriff, earnestly
that every man or group we meet