Sharp County record., 1880-10-28

night before we left the city. Perhaps
Clinton Dexter would be willing to walk
up from there with you and help drive
her, if he could 90 with US to Hartford
and spend the day. If you think that
he would, and you would like to have
him 90, YOU may run over to Mr.. DeN-
ter's and tell him if it is convenient for
him to spare Clinton, l would like to
have him 90 to Hartford with us to-
morrow, and walk home from Skid
more'S with you in the evening. And
be sure to tell Clinton, if his father con-
sents to his going, that we will call for
him as early as six O o'clock."
Philip said: "YeS, sir" and took up
his hat and went into the hall; but be-
fore he got to the outside door, his
father called out:
"One thing more, Philip. | left my
bride hanging on a bar-post down by
the sheep-barn this afternoon. If you IL
come back across lots and bring it up,
it'll save going for it in the morning. |
intended to get it myself, when | came
home from Mr.. Dexter's, but it slipped
my mind"
"Lucky thing it did," Philip said to
himself, as he stepped out of the door.
If he had come around that way and
heard Clint and me talking in that barn,
l guess he wouldn't be in so gentle a
mood tonight. He would have given
me Hail Columbia, right and left, and
Clint would have Jared worse than |;
for when his fathers back is up, he's as
savage as a tiger. Strange what has
come over father to night! [ noticed
that mother was surprised to see him so
much more social and gentle than COM
mOn."
On his way over to Mr.. Dexter S,
Philip had great variety Of feelings
and as great a conflict with them as his
father had while standing behind the
barn-door; but before he got there, the
summing up was, that he was an un-
grateful scamp and that his father was
all right, only he had so many cares and
anxiGties that it sometimes made him a
little stern and grabbed.
MIR. Dexter was always ready to oblige
his neighbor Raymond and he cheer,
fully gave his consent to ClintOn's
going. Clinton didn't know what tc
make of this sudden turn of affairs. As
he went with Philip to the door, he
whispered
"What's up, Phil? What has hap
pened? Has your father found out any.
thing?n
mot a thing-not thing" Philip
hurriedly whispered back. "You don't
suppose, Clint, he'd be taking us tC
Hartford tomorrow if he had? It's al
right, but it's the strangest thing thai
ever happened-rll tell you all about i
to-morrow-can't stay long enough
now"
Mr.. Raymond took up a newspaper
and bowed his head over it as soon a;
his son started for Mr.. Dexter's, but i
his wife had observed him closely she
would have seen that he did very little
reading and there was q troubled eX
preston on his countenance. He die
not raise his eyes from the paper wher
he heard returning footsteps, but ht
listened very intently and he knew that
Philip stole softly and hurriedly to the
back end of the hall and opened the
chamber-door before he came into the
Sitting-room. A look of relief came
over his face and he slraightened up a;
if a great burden had been lifted from
him. He had no doubt that the bundle
of clothing had been brought up from
the oat-bin and left on the chamber
stairs till Philip should 90 up to bed
That is what he hoped his boy would dc
when he asked him to come around by
the barn and get the halter He had
no further fear that he would attempt
to give him the slip that night.
Mr.. Raymond and Philip rode up tt
Mr.. DeXter's door for Clinton the next
morning, just as the sun was peeping
over the hills. 1t was as delightful q
September morning as they could de
sire. AS soon as they were all well or
the road, Mr.. Raymond said:
"Now, boys, you must keep your
eyes open-see all there is to be seer
and get all the enjoyment out of goine
that you can. We don't have holidays
very often and we must make the mos
of them when we do have them. Philip
and l have worked pretty hard lately
and [ guess, Clinton, you have. l be
lieye play will do us all good. made
up my mind, this morning, to try anC
leave all my cares and business behind
me, for once; SO you may ask me a:
many questions as you wish and you
need have no fears that it will disturb
me at all"
1t did not escape Mr.. Raymond's OBJ
servation that his remarks caused the
lads to glance at each other in blank
astoniShment, and it cut him to the
quick. "What kind of father have
l been," he asked himself, mot to be
able to speak few civil and kind words
to my son without having it received
with such surprise. Poor boy! Won
der, pleasure, guilt and grief are all de,
picted in his countenanceto-day. After
this, with Gods help, I'll so manage
that he'll never doubtmy loving him
never plan to run away from his faith,
er's house again"
Mr.. Raymond spared no pains to have
the boys enjoy their first trip to Hart
ford. He called their attention to ev-
erything that he thought would interest
them on their way. He told them who
owned such and such a farm when he
was a boy-what the land was worth