Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-05-05
Coocluded from first page.I

the accident. =:
So the unconscious man was carried IN
and nIaced upon bed; and there he lay
for MANY long day, PROSTATE and help
less in the house OF him whom he had
hated and injured. His son had been sent
for but the messenger was long in finding
him. When he arrived the crowd had dis
persed. and Mr. Dean was standing by
The bedside of his father, while Alice was
bathing the invalid's head, and striving to
keep It cool with applications OF ice.
MIR. Dean" said the young man, after
gazing silently for some minutes, at his
father, who was still in state of stupor,
IL should in any case be extremely sorry
the circumstances, | feel that it is truly
objectionable. / will have my poor father
removed tonight, if it is possible"
''You must not think OF such thing,
Mr.. Dean replied, warmly. The doctor
has expressly forbidden it. You must
take care of your father here, and in do
ing so thrust that you will spare yourseli
ali uneasness as to intrusion. Make your
self as comfortable as you can. and allow
US TO render you any assistance IN our
power"
GOOD Heavens! Are we to thrust our
y
has bappened?" exclaimed young Marshall
half beside himself with anxiety for his
fathers safety, and modification at the
embarrassing position in which he found
himself. II beg pardon, sir; but your
generosity makes me feel more painfully
than ever that all claim to it has been for
feited. l can only assure you that even
YOU Yourself cannot have regretted the
e ban |
done"
II believe you" said Mr.. Dean cordial.
", much affected by this impusive ex-
hand, which Marshall received gratefully.
while Alice, who had melted at the first
signal OF distress, wished from the bottom
of her heart that she had treated the young
man with more consideration. Her blue
eyes were swimming when he said to her.
pray let me relieve you Miss Dean. L
fear you have tired yourself already"
Weeks had passed before John Marshall
became fully conscious of his situation.
Fever set in, and he grew delirous; and
when at last the delirum passed away, he
fell into stupor, which seemed almost
more hopeless than his former state. He
had been lying for long time with
scarcely sign of life about him. except
the feeble fluttering of his pulse, when his
son, who had watched over him night and
day, saw him slowly open his eyes. and
gaze. with look of faint wonder, about
the room. He was then TOO weak to
speak but when days had elapsed and he
gained sufficient strength, he asked no
questions The barn or rather its skele-
ton. which remained as it had been left on
the day of the accident, was in plain sight
from q window near his bed; and he
would lie, hour after hour, gazing at it.
silently closing his eyes at any attempt at
conversation. and scarcely giving an
answer to the few questions which were
put to him.
Young Marshall was sitting one day.
sadly watching his father, and wondering
what were the thoughts over which he
seemed brooding. when the sick man
turned slowly in his bed, and, in quiet
way, as though 1t were no uncommon re-
quest that he was about to make, said TO
his son -
John, / should like to have you see
that everything belonging to that barn over
the way is carried off and the place cleared
up. Do it as soon as possible, will you ?"
Certainly, father, il you wish it," his
son replied, not knowing whether to be
most astonished or rejoiced.
Perhaps you can attend to it now"
said Mr.. Marshall. 81 do not need you.
l think shall go to sleep" And he
closed his eyes as ii he wished nothing
more to be said.
Young Marshall was not slow in exc
cutting his fathers wishes, and two days
had not passed before all traces of the
barn had disappeared. A few days more
and Mr.. Marshall signified his intention of
going home, firmly resisting all persua-
sions to the contrary.
II shall leave here to-day" he said to
his son. "And when l am all ready to
20, John. should like to see Mr.. Dean
and his daughter. Ask them to meet me
on the balcony
So, leaning upon his son, weak, brok-
en-down man, he tottered across the
threshold over which he had been carried
two months before Sinking into a arm
chair, which Mr.. Dean made ready for
him, while Allie softly arranged the pill
lows about him, he said, in voice shaken
with weakness and EMOTION
Richard Dean, l never thought
should have to thank you for anything;
but I've been brought to it. You and
were never the best of friends, and a year
ago swore to do you harm as long as
lived. But the Almighty set His face
against me. Vengeance is mine; will
repay saith the Lord. And He has kept
His word. He has repaid me for all l
have done. This thing has made an old
man OF me, and there's no telling now,
how long shall last. want to make my
peace with you, Richard, and your family,
and to live as friends for the rest of my
days. if you can let bygones be bygones"
with all my heart !" said Mr.. Dean.
grasping in both his own the thin white
hand, held out to him "We shall have
you hearty old man yet, and we shall be-
gin anew and from this day henceforth
Marshall and Dean shall dwell together in
unity
That's just what Alice has promised
me-" said young Marshall, twining his
arm about the blue-eyed girl at his side,
all tears and smiles. while the two fathers
gazed--one with astonishment. which
room changed to gladness. and the other
with satisfied look in his eyes, which had
long seen what was going on between the
young people.
L