Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1915-12-15

the GATE IN the OulQ stone !4E on the
mill But where's the prsints. Tis
as pare as me own pocket be went
on wonderingly.
At that moment the boy get up and
going forwaru to the woman, pulled at
ner dress to attract her attention
Mother, isn't santa Claus coming
Hes awful late. We shant have no
kismas tree II ne Coesn { come soon.
Its the snow. dearie.' explained
the mother. Such bad storm that
/ expect he was late in starting But
nov it's cleared up. / daresay he II be
hero soon"
Her words were CHEEKY. but Mike
caught the anxious glance she gave
her husband
Go out and see II Williams in
sight yet. Alice. said the man. He
ought TO have been here an hour ago.
/ only hope nothing has happened to
the poor old fellow
Mike dropped on hands and knees
behind the angle Of the wall as the
door opened. and the woman stood on
the threshold looking out down thC
empty snowclad valley
Somehow the pathos OF the bare lit.
tie Christmas tree and the anxious
family appealed 10 his hardened old
soul. and when the door closed again
he rose to his feet. and instead OF fol.
lowing out his first intention and en-.
tering the house 10 demand food and
clothes. climbed the wall again and
made OF down the valley.
IF Williams coming this way.
there1l be a road OF sorts he said
TO himself
And sure enough there was.
Though covered deep in snow, he
found that there was a path down
the valley. which he had little doubt
would lead EVENTUALLY to the main
road to town.
He had gone another mile when a
dark patch in the snow straight ahead
attracted his attention, and he caught
his breath sharply as he stopped be-
side II.
For 1t was a man lying fat on his
face. and, judging by the snow which
almost covered his body, he had been
there in the same position for some
time. Beside him lay a halftilled
sack, also covered with snow.
Mike gave a sharp glance around.
The moonlight horizon was still
bare. lie stopped and turned the man
over.
Dead" he muttered. Dead and
cold!" as he laid his hand against the
chill cheek.
For a moment he food staring a.
the dead mans face, which was that
of little old man, wizened and beard
ed, ana very much OF Mikes own type
and build.
Then, like a flash, 1t came to the
convict that here at last was his
chance. and a thrill shot through bis
weary frame.
Hell not need thin duds any
more" he muttered. and, dropping on
his knees in the snow. began with
trembling fingers to strip the dead
man OF his clothes.
They were worn and old, but "a
Mike as precious as broadcloth, foi
once he was rid OF his convict CART
he had multiplied his chances OF es
cape a hundrediold.
Not tin he had completed the whole
| change OF costume down TO soots
and hat. and had buried his broad ar
| rows deep in neighboring drift, did
| Mike bethink himself OF the sack
He snatched It up eagerly, hoping
1t might contain food. and turned tn,
contents out upon the snow
a small drum, a bag OF lead sol
diers, a cheap doll, box OF waN
tapers, and one OF crackers. and q
| couple OF packets OF sweets Not ar
| article OF the lot which had cost "a
cents. and the value OF the whole not
i've dollars.
Mike stood and stared at them. The
| box OF soldiers had fallen open Ht
stopped and picked up the little paint
ed figures, and replaced them care
fully.
SO twas poor ould SANITY Claus.
he mutterel And the children will
be waiting on him. Twas hard lucl
intoirely."
Again ne bent down ana quickly
bundled everything back into the sack
| He laid this by tho dead body. and
turning on his heel. walked rapidly
away.
lie could not be more than fow
or five miles from the town now
and with his knowledge OF rail
way matters II wou'i be eas'
enough 20 stow away In a truck. an,
lying under a tarpaunn be carried
scores of miles away from the hated
| prison. Besides thera Ias money
in his trousers pockets. only a Nc
tie. but plenty 10 buy food and drink
clay pipe, and plug ~ tol ncco.
Mikes mouth watered as he though
OF square meal.
He tried TO keep mis- thoughts or
| the prospect of these almost forgotten
Injuries, yet somehow it was difficult
The picture seen through the cottag