The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-12-04


4 They were interrupted by knock at
the door; and upon. opening its there en-
tered a young man very shabbily dressed.
Il For a moment he stood surveying he
group, with tears in bis eyes, and then
reached forth,his hand, exclaiming:
+ George; do you not recognise me- =
"Father, tis John, excfain.ed George,
joytully seizng his hand, and leading him
towards his f;lther.
The old man arose, and turning towards
him, exclaimed:
faJohn, my sonn at the same time
stretching forth his.arms-then suddenly.
4 drawing himself upto his full height, he
said, ,WaJ Ohm, for thirteen years you have
;l'been a stranger to me /; during that time
VIC have known,neithcr where you were.
nor what you were doing; can you give
me the hand of an honest man ?"
~ can, sir!" replied John, proudly, and
the next moment he was folded in his
fathers arms.
Next followed inquiries. from, John as
to how things had gone in his absence !;
and he soon learned the whole story.
{. Gas tor. you, ,s1said George, II do not
need to ask how the world has gone with
you-,that coat. speaks for itself But
never mind, hayesome better clothes
up stairs, and you arc welcome to take
your. pick. But what have you been do
ing, Jack; trying to get q living by
books ?''
.Yes,' replied John, "I5have lived en-
tirely by books !!",
aAnd q poor living you have had, Ill
be bound" said the old man | never
knew book-worm yet, who ever turned
out much:,,'
"But it seems that we shall.be equals
Tomorrow, father, said John, pleasantly.
ssThat's very true,n answered his father,
; rather testify, "but had you stuck to the
farm with George, this had not been"
"Never mind, father" said John, "go
to bed now, and George and I will try
and make some provision for the future"
1 Z After the old man had left them, John
said he was rather fatigued, and believed
that he would retire also.
"But," said George, ..syou have not in
quired asto our future prospects. Do you
not wish to know?''
emo" said John, rather shortly, "not
tonight; | don't feel interested And
taking his light, with q yawn, he left tho
room.
George felt hurt. ssAfter alI,'' thought
he, "he has changed. Ho don't seem to
care what. becomes of us. Ncvermind-
poor fellow, no doubt ho has seen hard
times, until they have hardened even his
heart"
The noxt morning found John Morton
engaged in NOISY romp with the whole
of his brothers. children. Indeed, so far
did he carry it. that he received a cutting
rebuko from his father, for his heartless-
ness.
81 can't help it, father" he replied,
ssevery thing reminds me so much ofchild-
hood, that.I cannot realize that I am a
man"
j Attwelve o'clock the auctioneer ap-
.peared, in company th-those who were
disposed to bid for tho place Immedi.
ately upon their arrival, John took the
auctioneer aside and conycrsed with him
earnestly for a few moments. Soon after
the auctioneer mounted upon the stops,
and said:
..sGentlemen, have been requested by
! the celebrated author, Morton j. Hall, of
Boston, to bid upon this place for him as
high as thirty five hundred dollars If
any of you feel disposed to bid higher
than that we will proceed, otherwise,
there is no need"
AS no one seemed disposed to make any
advance upon that bid, the place was de-
clared sold, and soon the family was again
left alone
aWell," said the old man at dinner,
hthe worst is over; and [ shouldn't Won
der if we could hire the place. from this
Mr.. Hall, who seems to be q city man,
; "Oh, yes" said Joln,,.ssI know you can.
He don't care anything about farming. |
know him we'll"
"Dont say any more!" cried George
jumping up, and seizing both his brothers
hands, ssthat one expression betrays you;
she don't like farming John, you J ohm,
you are this Morton ]. Hall! l half sus.
,pected it this morning; foryou never;was
hard hearted when boy, and you didn't
act the part very well.''
The old man cried for joy.
81 SEQ now, John," said he, "I did not
understand you as a boy. I thought
books " ould be your ruin; but, instead
they have saved me from want
sY You are right, father" said John, II
am worth, to-day, ten thousand dollars,
all earned by my pen while, had I stay
cd by the farm, l should have been as
poor-ycs, poorer than found you; for
you and George are good farmers, while
could never fix my mind upon it; in
fact, it is evident that was not born to
be q farmer.''
VINO WROTE "Co1ToN is KING ?"-
This inquiry has been made in our pres
ence, says the New York Express. The