The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-07-03

Roc. He played truant, and he whipped
the boys who told on him; he was al
ways putin his bones in peril, an twice
he was half drowned-yet, in spite of all,
he was ready for college when Selwyn
was. though Selwyn was steady as
clock Mother an I had been scrapin'
together for years, and at last we fitted
them off.
"We went on denyin' ourselves, for
it was just the one hope of our lives to
have the boys graduate with all the
honors; an time went on, but many of
the crops failed, and there came disap-
pointment here and disappointment
there, an failing to get together the
money the boys sent for-especially Roc
we mortgaged the farm for five hun
dred dollars.
"They were nearly through, you see,
an mother and Annie thought that
Selwyn might be principal of the acad-
| envy or something when he came home,
an Roc would be a lawyer, cause he
could argufy an speak 50 smart in pub
lie, an the money would be paid back
easy.
But from time to time there came
rumors didn't like, as to how Roscoe
was up to his olu Wild ways, and at last
it came like a thunderbolt-Roc was
suspended and had run away to foreign
parts. Well, pass over that, sir; I
tried not to be too hard on the boy.
Then Selwyn came home. He had
graduated well, but he had cough.
He didn't complain, but he was thin an
pale, an soon mother an l saw that the
son we had meant to rely on was an in
valid upon our hands The thought
struck me dumb. But mother was all
energy. We travelled here with him, we
travelled there. We saw all the noted
doctors East and West. We borrowed
more money on the old place, and we
never paid any back. | had made one
or Two payments at first, but they were
but drop in the bucket. At last we
brought Selwyn home to die"
Don't Daniel!" said the mother,
softly.
"He wants to hear the rest. There's
only little more, but it's no better.
Annie was like Selwyn-good an pa
tent; delicate-like, too. We didn't
mind it at first. but her cheeks w thin
an too red; cough she ha, from
child grew harder, and thou& the
best doctor we could get came early an
late. it was only year after Selwyn
died before we laid Annie down among
the SHOWS. Thank We, sir, for your
pity! Mother an I have shed most of
our tears"
| Mr.. Faxom put his cambria handker-
CHIEF back into his pocket.
"Your other scr, Roscoe, Mr.. Derby
did he never come home?'' '-~-7s 49,.
Never! It's nigh eight years since
we have seen Roc. He knew he disap-
pointed us; but that was nothin'-was
it, motherp"
81 never think of it," said Mrs.
Derby, shaking her head. Perhaps
/ don't know-we took the wrong course
| with Roc. He was restless an active.
He was wild, but he was lovin'-'
Her voice broke.
Mrs. Derby" said Mr.. Faxon, II
find know something of your story al
ready. Your son, Roscoe Derby, who
ran away at nineteen years old. is prob
ably living, and it may come in my way
to obtain some Information of him for
you"
The old people had risen eagerly from
their seats; but he went on, quickly:
Meanwhile, be at no inconvenience
regarding your stay here in your old
home. Your right to occupy it is I'M
questioned in my mind, and let me as
sure you that you will never, during
your lifetime be required to go hence.
There is the mortgage "-he placed some
papers on the table" the Derby place
is your own"
He rose, putting them gently back as
they pressed toward him, trying to ex-
press their gratitude.
Mono thanks! Believe me you owe
me nothing-nothingr
He took his hat. The old man who
was voiceless, wrung his band. Mr.
Faxon turned to Mrs. Derby, and tax
ing her soft wrinkled fingers in his strong
palm, bent low and kissed hem. Then
he turned toward the door, but in mo-
ment he had come back
Mother-fatherr he said, 81 can
not go, for l know you have forgiven
mew
And the next instant the strong man
was kneeling with his head on his
mothers knee.
After long years, mother" he said,
as she stroked his temples with fond
fingers. l am but twenty eight years
old. but sorrow for my early faults has
brought some gray hairs about my
temples"
"And you are not Mr.. Faxon, after
all. Roc?" said the father, with puzzled
smile.