Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1920-12-31

silent Sea Otter. He turned 10 Shir
low Sumner. "Pm going 10 leave you
now he said. Thank you for rid
ing over from Red Bluff with me- MY
father never leaves the Office until the
whistle blows, and so I'm going to
hurry down to that little building you
see at the end of the street and sur
prise him."
He stepped out on the running
board. stood there moment, and e1-
tended his hand. Shirley had COM
menced a due and formal expression
Of her gratitude for having been de-
Ivered safely in Sequoia. when George
Sea otter spoke:
"Here comes John Cardigan" he
| said.
"Drive Miss Sumner around to Colo
mel Pennington's house." Bryce order
ed. and even while he held Shirley's
hand, he turned to catch the first
glimpse of his father. Shirley follow
ed his glance and saw a tall, power
fully built old man coming down the
street with his hands thrust a little
in front Of him, as If for protection
from some invisible assailant.
"Oh, my poor old father" she
heard Bryce Cardigan murmur my
dear old pal And I've let him grope
in the dark for two years :"
He released her hand and leaped
from the car Dad !" he called. 1T
is bryce. I've come home TO you
at last"
The slightly bent figure of John
Cardigan Strengthened with jerk; he
held out his arms. trembling with
eagerness. and as the car continued
on to the Pennington house Shirley
looked back and saw Bryce folded in
his fathers embrace. She did not,
however, hear the heart-cry with
which the beaten old man welcomed
his boy.
"Sonny, sonny-oh, I'm so glad
you're back. I've missed you. Bryce,
I'm whipped-I've lost your heritage
Oh, son I'm old can't fight any
more. I'm blind-I can't see my enc
mics. I've lost your redwood trees
even your mothers Valley Of the
Giants"
And he commenced to weep for the
bird time in fifty years. And when
he aged and helpless weep, nothing
S more terrible. Bryce Cardigan said |
10 word, but held his father close
o his great heart and laid his cheek
emily against the old mans tenderly
S a woman might. And presently,
rom that silent communion of spirit,
ach drew strength and comfort. AS
he shadows fell in John Cardigan's
own, they went home to the house on
he hill.
Shirley Summers eyes were moist
hen George Sea Otter, in obedience
} the instructions of his youthful
laster, set her, tine French maid, and
leir hand-baggage down on the side
ak in front of Colonel Seth Pen
ington's house. The half-breed hest
tied moment, undecided whether he
'ould carry the hand-baggage up to
ne door or leave that task for a
ennington retainer; then he noted
le tearstains on the cheeks of his
lir passenger. Instantly he took up
lie hand-baggage, kicked open the
on gate, and preceded Shirley up the
ement walk to the door.
"Just wait moment, If you please,
Gorge" Shirley said as he set the
iggage down and started back for
e car. He turned and beheld her
tracing five-dollar bill from her {
irse. For you, George" she con- {
lued THANK you so much" t
In all his life George Sea otter had {
'ver had such an experience-he, {
Ippily, having been raised in coun- /
y where, with the exception of i
alters, only pronounced vagrant t
poets or accepts a gratuity from a l
oman. He took the bill and fingered J
curiously; then his white blood as 9
rted itself and he handed the bill
ok TO Shirley.
Thank you" he said respectfully.
you were man--all right. But
I'm a lady-no. l am like my boss. o
work for you for nothing" f
Shirley did not understand his re- p
sal, but her instructive tact warned W
not to insist. She returned the W
to her purse, thanked him again, 81
d turned quickly to hide the slight W
sh of annoyance. George Sea Otter Il
ted it. c,
Lady" he said with great dignity, al
first did not want to carry your sc
ggage. | did not want to walk on b,
S land" And with a sweeping ges. tn
e he indicated the Pennington hi
unds. "Then you cry a little be of
Use my boss is feeling bad about his er
man. So like you better. The if
maxwell, he has been like father We
me and my mother-and we are he
ians. My brothers, toO-they work
him. SO if you like my boss and w.
old man, George Sea Otter would We