The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-12-17
AT THE RACES.

" hear you, mother"
john, Ii wish to speak seriously
to you, my son."
every well. I'm listenina,'
Little Mrs. Thurlow stood up, to
give her words more weight. They did
not seem TO mean anything at all to
her; she was such very little woman,
aud her back ached so much, aud her
hands trembled so that she had to
steady herself on the back of chair.
She suddenly remembered how John's
father used to stroke her pretty pink
hands and call her " Baby" and say no
trouble should ever como nigh hor.
And when lie sailed on his last cruise,
he said john would bo her comfort un-
til he came back. And now John was
breaking her heart
You will not go to Eppton with that
boy, tomorrow, dear. L mean you
shall not go, John. 1 certainly will
have some authority over you p'
John was standing, too, looking her
full in the face. The angry red came
into her cheeks and then died out as
quickly, aud her blue eyes were full Of
tears. q You won't go, Johnny, deari
You won't vex mother ?''
John shut lis mouth tight aud
shrugged his shoulders. He had very
lately found out that women were
weak lot, and that men ought to control
things IN the world, aud that he was
man. His mother was so little and SO
fussy, and she never knew her own
mind two minutes 4 pretty thing il
the was going to say, You SHALL" and
" You shall not" to him all his life
Don't go TO Eppton, Johnny" she
continued coaxing. :" I'm sure if--if
your father were here he would say chat
Walcot boy was 4 very bad companion
for you"
land whaLll L do at home If I stay
It's Il holiday" said John, savagely
shaking off the hand she laid gently on
his arm. His voice was growing deep,
like & mans. He was taller than she
IN these last few months, and looked
over her head as they stood together,
He studied books and talked Of things
oF which she knew nothing.
And yet IL was only the other day
she held him il her arms-her bGby
Only the other day Now that lis
father was away, and she almost feared
might be dead, what had she in the
world but ber little boy? She always
thought God had given him to Ler, just
to her, 10 be her own. Now lie was
going from her fast, FAST He came
home with that Walcot boy the other
night with the smell of liquor on his
breath. He had not let her kiss biu
for days, not touch his mouth-the
sweet mouth where she used to watch
the teeth coming like pearls one b7
one.
She grew pale, her eyes were wild
with terror, as she caught him by the
arm. 40, for Gods sake, don't turn
from me, John 1t would be bettar
that we were dead together than that
you should 90 on this road that you
are going"
sim going nowhere but to Eppton,
to see horse-race," he replied, rough
". "And if l stay at home, what can
l 10 to amuse myself ?"
Mrs. Nhurlow glanced from side TO
side in dismay. When Lo could I've
amused with toys or q story book she
managed very we'll, but now
Hou might fish in the morning, aud
Ill take you with NE TO the sewing
society i'll the evening"" with brighten
ing face.
johns scowl grew darker, but he
tears hurt him strangely.
every well. pm going to bed now
Wen talk it over in the morning."
lighting his candle and going off alb.
ruptly.
After he heard his mother shut her
chamber door lie went down stairs, and
out TO the drug shop, where he was sure
to find Tom Walcot. That gay city
youth laughed good deal at the early !
to-bed habits of the village boys. Day,
the druggist, noticed the Two lads talk |
ing eagerly together for long time.
John appeared reluctant and worried.
Don't mind her." said Walcot, on
leaving. " They're all alike. Weak,
weak as water. You're doing no harm.
It's time you took matters into your
own hands. And be sure and bring
-" lowering bis voice. sit will |
show the boys what class in society you
belong to. They are all nobby dress
ers."
"Jack," said Mr.. Day, as he put up
his shutters, "I'd steer clear of that |
Walcot fellow, if were you. Nobody |
knows anything about him. 1t don't |
become your fathers son to be hail fell |
low we'll met with a lad like that"
Day said t.. his wife that night it was |
a thousand pities Jack had not his
father to manage him just now. DR..
Thurlow was as thorough a gentleman
as there was in the navy, and John was
on the high-road to become black
guard.
Nearly four years had passed since
the ship on which DIR. Thurlow was |
surgeon had left on lifelong cruise, and |
he was expected home soon.
By daylight the next morning John
and his friend were jogging along the
road to Epptop. Johns face was I'M
usually red, and his eye unsteady. He
took out a heavy gold watch from his
pocket now and then, and flashed in the
sun diamond ring that he wore on his
little finger.
"That's q reg'lar old turnip," said