Gilpin observer. (Central City, Colo.) 1897-1921, 1918-01-31
PHIL
BY MILDRED WHITE.


Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union.l
The storm was coming. James Bur
rows let out the speed Of his red car,
hoping to reach the village five miles
below before the rain should descend
The sky grew darker as thunder rolled
about the encircling hills.
To the city lawyer the rough wind
ing roads seemed almost impossible,
impatiently he decided to seek shelter
at farmhouse not far distant, than
hesitated undecidedly, as the sun,
cleaned for moment in promise. AA
he slowed down near the gateway, az
bent old man peered up at him.
Good morning, uncle" the lawyer
greeted, but the iold man did not re-
turn his smile. =.
bad evening. mister" he replied,
"goin' to have one of our blOwups.
Better stop. hadn't We an wait inside?"
Thanks" Burrows responded, II
think / can reach the village before
the storm breaks, and have supper
there"
The old man shook his head. "Don't
believe it." he said, "we're alone here,
Phil an me, but 1 reckon Phil could
pick up something for you to eat"
Turning, he cupped his hands and
called to blue-Overalled figure hoe
ing in the distance.
"Phil," he screamed, "Phil." The
lad bending over his work apparently
did not hear.
Never mind" Burrows said, "Tll
take a chance and ride on"
"WOnder@" the old man asked, 'if
you could carry me along to the next
house down there? See it?-the red
One?"
Certainly" the lawyer agreed, and
with evident pride.
When Burrows had disposed of his
companion, the storm descended un-
expectedly. Great sheets of rain swept
against him, the wind threatened to
blow his small car from it's course,
lightning flashed whiplike around the
hilltOps. Swiftly he turned about,
with difficulty. making his way back
to the old mans house. UNLIMITED he
sheltered his car in the great white
barn, and dashed breathlessly up the
steps of the porch.
"Phil" was there before him, evil
IDENTIFY the youth also had rushed to
safety. His fresh face shOne startled
beneath the brim Of his old felt hat
at the strangers approach, but he went
on stolidly scraping the mud from the
soles of his rubber boots.
/ IAN old man-yOur father I sup
pose" the lawyer said, suggested
that wait here until the storm has
abated." Burrows smiled. HE also
intimated that you might pick up
something for me to eat, I'm furiously
hungry"
The boy lounged in the doorway-
'That was grandad," he answered La
cOnically. His eyes studied the stran-
ger. perhaps, I could find some
thing" he said suddenly, and disap-
peared in the house. His heavy boots
tracked the clean scrubbed floor, as
the lawyer followed him inside, the
rain-sOaked old hat still rested upon
Phil's head. as he deftly placed tempt
ing food upon the table.
"Sit down." he said at last abruptly.
and himself dropped into a wide armed
chair at the opposite end of the wood
| en- table.
"You and your grandfather live
alone?" Burrows asked incredulously,
as he buttered a faky biscuit, "then
who makes theseY
"Me," the youth answered, his tone
was sullen. Cooking, farming. ev.
eryrhing-I do 1t all, but won't much
longer. Grandad's going to be married
again" sneer curled the red lips
that's where he's visiting now"
"And then?" the lawyer asked inter-
ested, "What are you going to dO?"
Phil shook his head despOndently.
"Don't know" he replied. "Never had
"A chance to prepare for anything, had
fight with grandad every day went
to school, but did the work mornings
and evenings, and made 1t. Now"
the young voice broke discOuraging.
ly, "he don't need me any more"
Sudden unaccountable sympathy
famed in the lawyers breast.
"Phil," he said, "lf you will come
with me-tomorrow, I'll give you
start in the world. Help is scarce ut
this time, need you In my Office"
Crimson spots glowed In the lads
round cheeks, quickly he rose to his
feet. "You mean," he said, shat you'd
take me there to the city, that you'd
help me to-llve."
The lawyer nodded silently. Then .
with sudden passionate motion the lad
buried his face In his arms, his shou
ders shaking with sudden sobs.
"Oh! 1 can't CO." he cried and
snatched the felt hat from his head.
About the round childish face, fell y
mass Of golden hair, nngrily Phil
caught the hair and drew 1t like