The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1923-07-26


on the railing OF the little red iron
bridge and gaxed into the rushing tor
rent below.
"Her currents swift" he mumbled /;
''wide-and powerful-swift."
p A boyish CLEAN lit for fieeting sec
ond his faded eyes. PUSSY willows
over yonder on the bank" he whis-
pered used TO pick 'em there"
~Old Dawes taking It hard" said one
OF the idlers on the porch OF the gen
eral store.
Kinder tough at his age" remarked
his companion; "seems like they could
have let the old man stay on II would
not be for long"
Going up 10 the auction, are your
asked the first speaker.
"No." replied the other: my old
woman says there amt nothing there
she wants-just old musty trash and
what-not. Don't calculate they'll get
much for the cottage neither; II needs
a lot Of fixing II Jim had lived he'd
never seen his father go 20 no home,
but Marks Maria wears the pants and
she wouldn't have the old man around"
"Guess Dawes going back now for
another look at the cottage" said the
other. Believe Mark and Maria are
going 10 keep him up there tonight and
take him 20 the home tomorrow"
With faltering steps old Dave went
up the little red gravel path 10 the cot
tage. He stopped by small leaf
banked flower bed and, STOPPING, dug
with trembling fingers beneath the rot
ting leaves and mold. He chuckled
softly TO himself at what he found {;
tiger lilies pale green noses greeted
him through the sod.
Il know'd you'd be there" he said,
caressingly; fright where Name plant
ed you. so long past"
Tenderly he covered them again with
the brown, wet leaves.
"'Taln't quite safe yet" he said.
but you won't have long 10 wnit-not
long"
The auctioneers were already there,
and when Dave saw them In the front
hall he started guiltily. tottered into
the side yard and sat on the old back
steps. There he basked I'm the warm
sun and tried 70 forget
A big maltese cat brushed against
hts legs. Old Dave smoothed her sleek
back with an unsteady hand.
"wonder what they'll do with you.
kittyf" he whispered; poor kitty"
Tears blinded him-he cried like a
little child, mumbling between his
broken sobs, "Poor kitty. poor old cat y
"We'll fool EN-" he said 10 the cat,
with a grim smile: you and me will
fool 'em." And. taking the cat In his
arms, he made his way slowly back
10 the little red Iron bridge over the
rushing river.
THE currents swift" he said ms he
stroked her head. but you amt afrnid.
be you kltty7 Jim1l be there on the
other side walting--our Jim that loves
us-our JIM !"
Old Dave was smiling now.
Remember the day he said good.
by looking so smart In his khaki suit
How long ago Is TT Seems long
time"
A robin in the bushes on the bank
of the river called Justify 20 its mate.
Dave shook his head "Kinder hard.
with spring coming, but we're going 10
Jim and the rest over there-and-the
river-see how the river rushes and
hurries--"
A big hand rested IN his shoulder,
and a strong voice cried Dad Dad
Don't you know met"
"Jim r. he breathed, without sur.
prise. MY JIM snowed you'd be
here" Then confusion seized him.
"Dld I do ltT'' be asked In frightened
whisper. Il was afraid. for the current
was wide and swift. but ! know'd you'd
be here"
There. dad" said the man. sooth.
ingly. as he pulled the old man by the
coat-slecve come home and well talk
things over"
Homer Dave echoed: where. Jim
Marks selling the old home today
that's why I did it--that's why ! came
20 the river"
WHAT" gasped the son. AZ he real.
lied the truth. II might nave har.
prned IN another second. and he thinks
we are both on the other side even
now.
Dad, look at mel I'm alive and I've
come home 10 you. There isn't going
20 be any auction. You and ! are
going home 10 the cottage 20 live I've
seen Mark and I'm paying on the
mortgage tomorrow. Don't you under
stand. dadT"
Old Dave rubbed his eyes with the
back Of HIS trembling hand.
IF it's true. jim" he said. In scarce
whisper. "where'ye you been 10
longf-
put on the missing list. that's all.
and tied up In q hospital Shell shock.
and fhis--he shaved an empty sleeve.
But n doesn't matter now. dad. I'm
home % stsy."
Back up the red gravel path. arm In
arm. they went smilingiy content; and
the big maitest cat brushed past them