The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-11-18

office after the shrieks Of he whistle
had warned her that the tri-weekly
river packet had come and gone. -Four
times during the ear she heard from
Jason. Each time he was doing well and
wanted money. The first time Jason's
mother sold her mahogany hat box to
the storekeeper's wife. The second time
the cameo pin went to the doctors
wife. The third time she could send
nothing. she wrote Jason-and h
wrote in deep contrition, for she knew
that Jason was half starving himself
and worked hard. The fourth letter vas
urgent.
I'm going into the army, mother.
There's a wonderful chance for sur
geons now. 1 must have 500, though,
to buy into partnership with DR.. Ed
wards before I go. That assures me Of
a good berth as soon as the war Is
over. I think you had better sell Pill
grim. O really don't need him, n
you can get 800 for him easily, If you
sell him to the government. Mr.. Inch
pin would tend to it for YOU"
Jason's mother read the letter
heavily. 1t was November again. The
river packets would not make many
more trips. Drearily the Kentucky hills
rolled back from the river and drearily
the Ohio valleys stretched inland. Old
Pilgrim plodded patiently toward his
stable and his mistress huddled in the
saddle, unheeding until Pilgrim
stamped impatiently at the stable door.
Then she dismounted and the great
horse stamped into his stall.
II know that I don't need you, Pill
GRIM" she said. It's just that you are
like a living bit Of father-and If Jason
would only seem to understand that, 1T
wouldn't be SO hard to let o go. I
wonder if all young folks are like Ja-
son?"
Old Pilgrim leaned his head over his
stall and in the November cleaning
he looked long at his mistress with his
wise and gentle eyes. 1t was as II he
would tell her that he had learned that
youth is always a little hard; that only
long years in harness with always the
back breaking load to pull. not for
oneself. but for others, a make the
really grateful heart. One of the sweet
deep compensations Of the years the
old horse seemed to say is that graft
tude grows in the soul.
So Jason and Old Pilgrim both went
to war. They did not see each other,
but each one, in his own way. made a
brilliant record. Pilgrim learned the
| sights and sounds and smells of wal.
The fearful pools of blood ceased to
send him plunging and rearing in har-
ress. The screams Of utter fear OF of
mortal agony no longer set him to
neighing or sweating in sympathy.
Pilgrim. superb in strength and superb
in intelligence. plodded efficiently
through a battle Just as he had plodded
efficiently over the circuit of Jason's
Methodist father.
And Jason. COO and clear-headed.
with his wonderful long strong hands.
sawed and sewed and probed and
purged his way through field hospital
after field hospital, until the men be-
gan to hear of his skill and to ask for
him when the fear of death was on
them. His work absorbed him more
and more. until months went by. and
he neglected to write to his mother!
Just why. who car say? Each Of us.
looking int his heart. perhaps can
find some answer. But Jason was
young, and work and world hungry.
He did not ask himself embarrassing
questions. The months slipped into a
year. and the first year into a second
year. Stu Jason did not write TO his