The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-06-24

say "Amcn p but like wise woman she
kept silence, answering only by an affirma-
tive nod.
On the third day, however, the sun shone
bright and clear and the snow had fallen in
just sufficient quantity to make good sleigh
ing Jim was early astir, the paths all brok-
| en- out and arrangements made for cutting
the pine woods the next day, and the house
| hold were jubant over the return of sun
shine. But grandpa sat silent in his arm
chair and thought: Shall let things re-
main as they areY Shall give up my bed
room and let my woods-my pride-be cut
down? Yes, yes, yes am an old man and
| shall soon go, I'd better let the young
ones have their way. even to giving up my
dear old bedroom. Only n little while shall
remain ; give he peace while do"
Dinner came in good season, and then Mr..
Lamson thought it would do him good to
take slcighride to the store and see his
old friends. So he walked out to the barn
where Patrick was feeding the cattle and
told him to harness the old mare.
"Mr Jim just told me to harness her for
him; he and his wife are going to the Cor
ner,' said Patrick.
| well, let him take Dick or Tom; | want
my old mare and you can bring her around,
said the old man, rs he turned away and
went to his bedroom TO put on his outer gar
ment. AS he struggled into his coat he
heard Patrick bring up the sleigh and tell
Jim what he had said about going to the
| store.
"IIey What's that ~ asked Jim. WANT
ed to go To the store? Well, he will have to
wait till another afternoon. Come along,
| Eliza bring the children; tumble in there,
Jimmie. guess grandpa will wait this time.
He drives altogether too much for his health
| anyway
| And away they went, leaving the old man
a prey to disturbing thoughts. Is it possible
that his son Jim could treat him like that
| For an hour or two he sat in silent
thought; then he took up newspaper to en-
| terrain himself But it had lost its power;
he could not read and was, at last forced to
| go TO the barn and look at the stock, and
| talk to Patrick who was very ready to tell
him of all the work that had been already
laid out for the coming spring. Mr.. Lam
son heard him in silence and asked no ques
tons, for his heart was weary with heayi-
ness, and he could not rouse himself to take
any interest in the conversation, and soon re-
| turned to the house
Before the family returned, however, he
had determined upon the course he would
take. Jim had commenced altogether too
strong and had evidently forgotten that the
deed was unsigned. In truth, it would have
been signed and recorded at once if Mr..
NIunroe had not urged so strongly to keep
the reins in his own hands. Although over
| eighty years of age he was shrewd and
thoughtful still, and he felt that little trial
of the change would not come amiss. He
would have seen the pine trees cut down
without murmur and perhaps have given
| up his bedroom for the good of the farm; but
| when his old Maggie, that he had driven for
fifteen years, was taken from him in such
hcartless manner, he rebelled and had now
come to the conclusion that he would destroy
the deed, but in order to do il calmly he
must sleep upon it.
| When the seigh-bells announced Jim's re-
turn, the old man lifted his head looked out
of the window and saw the family enter the
door without moving from his chair, and
| seemed quietly asleep until tea was ready
Then Jim told the news that he had learned
at the store, and Eliza told what her sister
said about the dairy she had planned, that
jim had been looking at some cows to add
to his stock and so ON. The old man made no
reply but Jim did not notice it, so greatly
was he interested in his own affairs.
After they were alone at night Eliza said
"Jim, did you notice grandpa at the table
He did not speak one word, not even to the
baby. He looks as if he might have shock
any moment. We ought not to have taken
! muSSlt tlllS ullcTHOOn. something VIII CDllt
of | feel sure it was not at all right. You
know that deed is neither signed nor record
ed" Then Jim had a thorn planted in his
pillow for the night, but he replied with
mans disdain of woman's wisdom, mo, |
didn't notice him. You are always on the
lookout for something ahead. If he is in
danger of a shock he mustn't go driving
around the country alone
Then, the mare is mine !. he kR0acS 1t too
| When go to the store he can go along too"
The hours, as they were toled off upon the
old, tall clock, that night, crept very slowly
to both father and SON But little sleep
closed their eycds, Jim being thoroughly
awakened TO the fact that as yet the farm
was not his, and he ought to have attended
to that needful business before he drove to
the Corner" 10 tell his friends of the plans
he had made for its tilage.
| When Jim came down stairs the next
morning his father had just kindled n fire in
the sitting room stove, and as soon as the
fire blazcd in the kitchen he called to him to
come in. Jim went at once, and seeing
folded paper in the old mans hand, he said
WHATS that, father? Have you had the
deed executed"
NO" replied Mr.. Lamson, NOR do in
tend to do So" The same moment he stoop-
ed down and thrust the folded paper into the
There it goes" he continued, land our
bargain will remain as it was, or you may
make other arrangements While | live
| intend 10 hold the Ieins and drive when |
please. When am gone hope you will do
the same. Don't tempt little Jimmie rs
have tempted you. 1t was wrong, all
wrong Human nature is very weak, and
the old must go 10 the wall if the young so
will it. The Lord forgive us all. But shake
hands and be friends, jim. Ill give you
some more cows Eliza shall have the dairy,
but not in my dear old room. The back lot
shall he drained, but the pine trees must
stand "
Jim gave him his hand, or rather the old
man took it and pressed it warmly. Jim
seemed liked one dazrd. The farm not his !
The deed burned Could it be possible?
Before he was fully aware of the situation
Eliza came in, the father told her of the de-
struction of the deed and his reasons for do
ing it. Already she knew that something
was amss, so the blow was not so crushing
in its effect upon her, and she walked up to
Mr. Lamson; kissed him on the cheek and
said: "Of course, dear father, you will do
as you please in the matter" and left the
room to prepare breakfast Then Jim re-
peated her words parrot-like, and went to
the barn to chew the cud of remorse
Mr.. Lamson lived five years longer, then
died with an apoplcctic shock, as his daugh-
ter-in-law had predicted; but he never had
occasion to regret that he burned the deed
His heart had soltened more and more to his
children, he only holding the reins allowing
them to manage the affairs of the farm and
dairy rs they pleased, he could be the mas.
ter.
(Spmadeld, (NtsS.) Rep"Lticm)
A Prominent Lawyers Opinion.
In one of our New England exchanges we
observe that VIM. Filley, Esq, of Pittsfed,