Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-08-03

ptunntu Oul, Joiifi, oath py Ai''hi
wlnking at Ben Littleford. II had II
planned out TO hang 'em all on big
green hemlock as a Christmas tree 70
Bill Some devilish rough Christmas
eve ye're a-havin', Bill. old boy. amt
TT"
Rather" smiled Dale. He closed
his eyes. His head ached, and he was
somehow very tired.
Within the hour he went TO sleep,
and when he awoke IL was daylight on
Christmas morning. Ben Littleford
half dressed, was stirring the Goals
TO life In the wldemouthed stone fire
place. Dale felt better than he had
expected TO feel; he greeted Little
ford with the compliments of the sea-
son, arose and dressed himself.
Littleford had just gone with O
handful of kindling wood toward
the kitchen, when there was a low,
light tapping at the outside door OF
Bill Dale's room. Dale arose from
his sheepskin-lined rocker before the
CHEEKY log fire. went to the door and
IL.
barefoot boy in the poorest OF rags;
in the pitifully slender arms there was
something wrapped rather loosely in
crumpled brown paper. Dale did not
remember having seen the lad before,
but he knew II was no Littleford.
Come In, son." he invited cordial
ly-"come In and warm yourself. My
goodness alive, It's too cold to go
barefooted like that! Haven't you any
shoes, son" ru
"Shoes?" muttered the boy. queerly.
"Shoes?"
He was shlvering from the cold. His
thin face looked pinched and blue, his
eyes big and hollow. Dale stopped.
picked him up bodily. carried him to
the old rocker he had just vacated,
and put him into it with hands as gen
tie as any woman's.
Ill" began the boy. staring
hard-"what-"
Now stick your feet out and warm
them, son-that's It," and Dale chafed
the poor little, dirty. half-frozen feet
and legs.
"Son," he went on after moment,
his heart throbbing out Of sheer pity,
you go TO the commissary clerk and
tell him to dress you up like the
crown prince Of England, If he's got
1t, and charge the same TO the account
Of Bill Dale. 1t will be my Christmas
gift to you, little boy. What's your
name?"
The lad turned his surprised black
eyes upon the face of the big and sun
Drowned man.
"Are you BIZ Dale"
ayes"
That which the boy said next struck
the big and sunbrowned man with all
the force of a bullet.
: $50 you're Bill Dale. Well, D. my
gsoulw 4
, Don't buddy, don'tl"
4 TIE boy went on: "My name, It's
Denery. l come here with a Christ
rmas gif' TO YOU" He pointed dirty
forefinger toward the bundle in his
lap. But you amt a-goin' to git 1t
now"
"Why?" Dale asked smillngly.
why! Shoes ATS why. Hi,
did I ever have any shoes afore? Bare
footed as a rabbit. That's me. Bare,
footed as a dan rabbit"
y "Son," protested Bill Dale, you're
Shurely too small to swear. You
mustn't do It, y'know."
YES" quickly. A1'm small. I'm small
to my age. I'm done twelve year old.
I've been measured TO the go-backs."
Measured for the go-bacls,"
laughed Dale, whats thatT
why" soberly, when We grow lit
Ter Std o bigger. we've got the go
backs Nav, she measured me with
a yarn string out. o. stocking which
had been wore by a woman seventy
seven-year old, and 'en she wrapped
the yarn string around the door-hinge.
I'll gin to grow higher, or die, one or
t'other. afore the string wears out on
the hinge. Bound to-"
Again Dale laughed. Mountain SUI
perstitions always amused him. Ben
Littleford came into the room, and
Dale arose and faced him.
do you know this boy, Benz"
ITS Lyss Balls boy" answered
Littleford. pickering his brows.
whats he a-doln' here?"
"He brought Christmas present
for me-" said Dale, "but he has de.
cided that I shan't have it."
"The only Christmas present you
could git from a Ball would be a bull.
:et," frowned Ben Littleford.
He stepped to the rocker and took
the bundle from the boys lap; he
took away the crumpled brown pa.
per-and there IN his hands was o
loaded and cooked revolver!
"By Georgel' exclaimed Bill Dale.
"Whatd i tell ye?" smiled Ben Lit
tleford.-
An hour later Dale and q score OF
Littlefords and Morelands entered the
big downstairs room of the Office and
supplies building. The defeated Balls
and Turner'S lounged here and there
sullen and silent, on the rough-board
floor of their temporary prison.
Dale walked into their midst and
addressed them quietly.