The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-11-07

tldl ue WpuIu give Hilu coPnlo lnoie
willingly now than ever. SO Basil Cam
eron was false prophet
Maurice left home, bag and baggage,
the day of the conversation above re-
corded. His father felt very curious to
know what he would do, but would not
condescend to make any inquiries or show
any interest.
A fortnight passed. Mr.. and Mrs.
Cameron were dining with the Feltons(a
quiet family dinner one day, when there
was very fine leg of mutton on the
table.
"Yes, thank you, FELTON,, l will take
another slice" said Mr.. Cameron; "that
is the best mutton I've tasted this long
time, far better than Brooks gives us
you trade with Brooks, don't your
''Ye es, usually" answered Mr.. FELTON,,
hesitatingly, while Lottie and her mother
exchanged amused glances and twelve
year-od Susie giggled outright.
81 shall go to Brooks tomorrow and
tell him to send me just such leg as
this" continued Mr.. Cameron.
We've didn't get this of Brooks
"No? Who, thenl"
"Of young man who has re-opened
Evans old place. said Mr.. FELTON,, smil-
ngly.
Then I'll patronize him."
You could do no better; he is very
worthy young man." said Mrs. FELTON,;
her husband was too busy carving to re-
ply.
"What is his name' Is he towns
man."
IL didn't ask him. Is it true that
Latmer has failed?" said Mr.. FELTON,.
These good friends evidently don't
want me to deal with their butcher, but
| WILL" solloquized Basil Cameron.
On his way down town the next morn
ing he took pains to pass the new
butchers shop; glancing over the door
way fancy his horrorD he saw a spick-
and-span new sign board with "Maurice
Basil Cameron, Jr.; Butcher, Poulterer
and Fishmonger, plainly painted thereon.
Young Cameron had indeed gone to
work; this was the first, indeed the only
opening that presented itself, for Nelson
WAS steady going town where business
rarely failed or started up very vigorously,
aud chances of establishing ones self did
not occur twice in life time.
Maurice was standing near the door
when his father approached; with his i'm
! maculate apron and snowy shirtsleeves,
glossy collar and narrow black neck tie
he was handsome picture in spite of his
very unromantic surroundings.
Good morning, father" said he, cheer
fully. you see I've gone to work; took
that money I've been saving for trip to
Europe and opened this little place. I've
got Evans son with me and he knows all
about meats and things; I'll learn after
awhile. You'll give me your
Great heavens. Is it's it you?"
Eyes, sir, |. Maurice Basil Cameron,
Jr."
think that Junior" was the bitterest
drop in the whole cup of the old man;
really believe that for moment, he re-
pented naming his son after himself Too
angry, too much astonished to know
what to say, he turned on his heel and
walked away, but be could not escape the
memory of that awful sign board; three
times that week delicate straw-coored
hand bills were thrust under his eyes by
boys who were distributing them through
the town, and all bore the same legend !;
every time he picked up newspaper he
saw Maurice's advertisements all of his
acquaintance were laughing over Maui
rice's freak las he called it), and not a
few men applauded the young man and
blamed him. 1t was a genuine agony
Then, too, he loved the boy and missed
his bright face from the home that was so
quiet without him; he knew his wife
incurred deeply over the separation and
strongly suspected that she visited the OBJ
noxious shop every day he did not want
to hurt her feelings, so he never asked
her where she bought their meat and
poultry. And as the new butcher was
doing thriving trade there was no hope
of his sueing for mercy or for help.
Three months passed and day came
that for twenty-eight years Mr.. and Mrs.
Cameron had held as home festival
their wedding anniversary The night
before it dawned Basil Cameron knew
that his wife had cried nearly all night.
How could she keep festival without
her boyl
"Oh, DEAR he groaned as he left the
house after breakfast, II must do it. The
boy is stubborn-as | am; and can't see
his mother fret. He shall have his coun-
try girl-confound hcr.-just as he had
the hammer and the looking g lass when
he was a baby
Richard, the coachman. almost fancied
himself crazed when his master told him
TO drive out on the Barton road to Farmer
Litchfed's instead of down to the bank
as usual early in the morning.
Does Miss Sophie Litchfeld live