The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1923-09-13
SWOLLEN RIVER
BY MAE NORTON MORRIS
&C. 1928. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.

ing snow and floating Ice cakes.
Old Dave rested his withered hands
on the railing of the little red iron
bridge and gazed into the rushing tor
rent below.
'Her currents swift" he mumbled
"wide-and powerful-swift."
A bOyish CLEAN lit for fieeting Sec
oDd his faded eyes. PUSSY willows
over yonder on the bank" he whis-
pered; fused to pick 'em there"
"Old Dawes taking 1t 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; 1t would
not be for long"
Going up to 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; 1t needs
a lot Of fixing. II Jim had lived he'd
never seen his father go to 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 to keep him up there tonight and
take him to the home tomorrow"
With faltering steps old Dave went
up the little red gravel path to 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;
him through the sod.
IT know'd you'd be there" he said,
caressingly; fright where Name plant 1
ed you, so long past"
Tenderly he covered them again with
the brown, wet leaves.
"Tain't quite safe yet he said,
"but you won't have long to wait-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 j
steps. There he basked In the warm
sun and tried to forget
A big maltese cat brushed against !
his legs. Old Dave smoothed her sleek
back with an unsteady hand.
wonder what they'll do with you,
kitty" he whispered; poor kitty"
Tears blinded him-he cried like
little child, mumbling between his ;
broken sobs, poor kitty, poor old cat"
"We'll fool EN-" he said to the cat,
with grim smile; you and me will
fool EN-" And, taking the cat in his
arms, he made his way slowly back
to- the little red iron bridge over the
rushing river.
"The currents swift" he said, as he
stroked her head, "but you amt afraid
be you kitty? Jimll be there on the
other side waiting-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 it? Seems long
time"
A robin in the bushes on the bank
of the river called Justify to its mate.
Dave shook his head "Kinder hard,
with spring coming, but we're going to
Jim and the rest over there-and-tlfe
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 me?"
"JimT he breathed, without sur-
prise. my JIM knowed you'd be
here" Then confusion seized him.
ibid I do it?' he asked in frightened
whisper II 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-sleeve "come home and we'll talk
things over
Homer Dave echoed; "where, Jim?
Marks selling the old home today
that's why did it-that's why l came
to the river"
"Whatw gasped the son, as he real
zed the truth. 1T might nave har-
pened in another second, and he thinks
We are both on the other side even
low.
dad, look at me! I'm alive and I've
.ome home to you. There Isn't going
o be any auction. You and I are
going home to the cottage to live I've
seen Mark and I'm paying off the
mortgage tomorrow Don't you under
stand, dadT"
Old Dave rubbed his eyes with the
Jack Of his trembling hand.
If it's true, JIM" he said, in scarce
! whisper, "where've you been so
ong?"
"Put on the missing list, that's all,
nd tied up in hospital. Shell shock,
nd this"-he showed an empty sleeve.
But It doesn't matter now, dad. I'm
ome to stay."
Back up the red gravel path, arm in
rm they went Smf1inpJv content. and |