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

Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union.)
The storm was coming. James Bur
rows let out the speed OF his red car.
hoping to reach the village i've 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 a farmhouse not Tar distant. than
hesitated undecidedly, as the u
cleaned for q moment In promise. As
he slowed down near the gateway. .
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 inside2'
Thanks" Burrows responded, II
think I a reach the village before
the storm breaks, and have supper
there"
The old man shook his head. aDon'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, "I,u
take a chance and ride on"
"Wonder-" the old man asked. III
you could carry me along to the next
house down there1 See it?-the red
one?"
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
expectedly. Great sheets Of rain swept
against him, the wind threatened to
blow his small car 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 stolidly seraping the mud from the
soles OF His rubber boots.
IAN 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 fuiously
hungry"
The boy lounged in the doorway.
"That was grandad," he answered la
c%onically. 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, az
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
alone2" Burrows asked incredulously,
as he buttered q fiaky biscuit, ''then
who makes theser"
me" the youth answered, his tone
was sullen. "Cooking, farming, ev.
erything-I do It all, but ! won't much
Grandad's going to be married
again" a sneer curled the red lips
"that's where he's visiting now"
"And then2" the lawyer asked inter
ested, "What are you going to dol"
Phil shook his head despOndently.
4Don't know he replied. 'Never had
a chance to prepare for anything, had
fight with grandad every day I went
to school, but ! did the work mornings
and evenings, and I made It Now"
the young voice broke discouraging-
ly, 'he don't need me any more"
Sudden unacc0untable sympathy
famed in the lawyers breast.
"Phil," he said, IL You viii come
with me-tomorrow, I'll give you q