The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1918-01-24
PHIL
BY MILDRED WHITE.
tcopyrisht. 1917. Western Newspaper Union

hoping to reach the village five miles
below before the rain should descend.
The sky grew darker as thunder rolled
about the e%ncircling hills.
To the city lawyer the rough wind
Ing roads seemed almost impossible,
impatiently he decided to seek shelter
at q farmhouse not far distant, than
hesitated undecidedly, as the u
cleaned for a moment In promise. As
ne slowed down near the gateway, 4
bent old man peered up at him,
Good morning, uncle" the lawyer
greeted, but the old man did not re-
turn his smile.
bad evening, mister" he replied.
"goin' to have one Of our blowups,
Better stop, hadn't ye an wait insfdef'
Thanks" Burrows responded, II
think / can reach the village before
the storm breaks, and have supper
there"
The old a shook his head. "Don't
believe it." he said, .we're alone here,
Phil an me, but I reckon Phil could
pick up something for you to eat"
Turning, he cupped his hands and
called to a 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, "I1I
take a chance and ride on"
"Wonder-" the old man asked, 1T
you could carry me along to the next
house down there1 See it?-the red
oneW
Certainly" the lawyer agreed, and
the former seated himself in the car
with evident pride.
When Burrows had disposed Of his
companion, the storm descended un-
e~xpectedly. Great sheets OF rain swept
against him, the wind threatened to
blow his small a from its 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 stolfdQly scraping the mud from the
soles OF His rubber boots.
"An old man-your father I sup
pose" the lawyer said, suggested
that I 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, a.
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 q wide armed
chair at the opposite end Of the wood
en- table.
"You and your grandfather live
alone7" Burrows asked incredulously,
as he buttered a flaky biscuit, "then
who makes these1"
"Me," the youth answered, his tone
was sullen. Cooking, farming, ev.
erything-I do It all, but I won't much
longer. Grandad's going to be married
again" a sneer curled the red lips
"that's where he's visiting now"
"And then?'' the lawyer asked inter
ested, "What are you going to dol"
Phil shook his head despondently.
Don't know he replied. 'Never had
a chance to prepare for anything, had
a.fght with erandad every day I went
to school, but / did the work mornings
and evenings, and I 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, III y0u will come
with me- tomorTow, I'll give you .
start in the world. Help is scarce at
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, 'that you'd
take me there 10 the city. that you'd
help me to-ive."
The lawyer nodded silently. Then
with sudden passionate motion the lad
buried his face In his arms, his shout
ders shaking with sudden sobss
.Ohl / can't go.r He cried and
snatched the felt hat from hi4 head.
About the round childish faceRgfen .
mass Of golden hair. ansriH Phil
caught the hair and drew Is Ike =
cloak about hen. You see she said
I'll am lin granddaughter. Philippe.
The overals and boots were hut my
farming costume. allowed you 70
think what you believed"
Tragic disappointment fingered =
her eyes The lawyer stood staring