The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-04-21
tFrom the Atlantic Monthly.l
THE Blue RIVER
b A NIX r o B B II r. Y

s'It is not the least use TO argue the
question, father. Tell me plainly, yes
or no, and will bother you no more
about it." .ra ii ...,.oa) seas
II cannot indulge you in this, Harry
Indeed, you should believe me when /
say we cannot afford it, 4..a ..
Mr., Houghton leaned his head heav-
lily on his hands as he spoke, aud SEEM
ed to deprecate the displeasure of his
handsome, impatient son. . ,a, .,.s
very well, sir" said the youth Of
nineteen, his hand guiyering as herose
with the anger he seemed striving to
keep out Of his words and tones. 81
hope you will never be sorry for the
trihe you have refused me tonight.
shall make the trip to lake George next
week, nevertheless, if have to sell my
grandfathers watch and chain to get
the money" ........, ......-
A half-groan came from the hidden
face of Foster Houghton, AMI re-
proachful 30 Harry" !" from his mother,
whose eyes had been filling with tears
as she sat silent through the stormy in :
tervisw. But the boy was angry, and
in earnest, and he twisted the chain in
his waistooat to give emphasis to the
threat. Then as he took his eloak,and
cap from the closet he continued -
"You need not sit up for me, or leave
the door unlocked; am going to Tin
borough with the fellows to the straw
berry party, and as there will be 8
dance, aud the nights are short, l shall
wait for daylight to come home, if | do
not stop and catch nap at the Valley
House before starting" .aa "f
H "Who is going from Elmfeld I" in.
quired the father, more from desire
to show an interest and win the boy
from his moodinsss than any real curl,
osity. ..W IT, ir4. $50.
"Nearly everybody Of my set" said
Harry, with something of studied cold
ness; "Arthur Brooks and Tom Box.
ham and Frank Pettengill, land Harri,
son Fry, if you want the whole list"
His father turned sharply away, but
the mother spoke appeaIingly:-
''If you would cut off your intimacy
with Harrison Fry, now aud forever,
l think there are very few things your
father would refuse you. ! have seen
his evil influence over you ever since
he came back from the city. He was a
bad boy, and will be q bad man." ,-
"Like myself and other wicked peo'
pls," said the boy, looking at his watch
"Harry Fry is not half SO black as he il
painted. But am not as intimate with
him as you fancy; and as to father, ]
don't think his treatment of me TO-
night gives him a claim 10 interfere
with my friendships"
Henry HOughton shot his shaft de-
liberately, for he knew his fathers sen
sitive nature, in which it would ranklt
cruelty ; and in a moment he was off,
bounding through the low, open win
dow, and running with. feet steps down
The gravel sidewalk toward the com
mon. f. l.4 #as eW 1ssw a#l"
The family circle thus divided was
that of the cashier of the Blue Rive
National Bank of Elmfeld. 3 Foster
Houghton was a man past middle age,
and older than his years in appearance
and in heart. He had petted his only
son in his childhood enough to spoi
most boys, and now made the balance
even by repressing the exhuberance ot
his youth with sharpness sometimes
NO more than Just, sometimes queru'
lous and unreasonable, The boys
grandfather, old Peleg Houghtop, who
died a year before at ninety and over
had almost worshipped Harry, and OF
his death. bed, had presented his own
superb Frodsham watch to the lad and
both father and mother knew he must
be deeply moved to speak SO lightly al
parting with it. s9 .aI9ga2 .h9bHs1
II fear Henry y'eis getting in very
bad way,r said Mr.. HOught6n, gloom
ilyy after'a pause in which the sharper
click of his wifo's needles told that hel
thoughts were busy, 'fHe, goes to the
other church too often to begin, with.
He smokes, after l have repeatedly
told him how the, habit hurt mein my
boyboood, and what fight had tx
break it of. He is altogether too mucl
in Harrison Fry'ss company. n He baf
been twice before to Timborough, driv-
ing home across country inthelgray o.