The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-08-17

ing to get together the money thu
boys sent for-especially Roc-wt
mortgaged the farm for FIVE hundred
J dollars.
! "They were pearly through, you
see, an mother aud Annie thought
that Selwyn might be principal o.
the academy or something, when he
came home, an Roc would be a law,
yer, cause he could argue and speak
so smart in public, and the money
would be paid back easy.
"But from time to time there came
rumors didn't like, as to how Ros.
coe was up to his old wild ways
again, and at last it came like a
thundeybolt5Roc was suspended aud
had run away TO foreign parts;
Well, pass over that, sir; Itried not
to be too hard on the boy. Then
Selwyn came home. He had gradu.
ated well, but he had a cough. He
didn't complain, but he was thin
and pale, an soon mother and l saw
that the son we had meant to rely
on was an invalid 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 mon
ey 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 and patient; delicate like, too.-
We didn't mind it at first; but her
cheeks grew thin an too red; a cough
she had from childhood grew harder,
an though the best doctors we could
get came early and late, it was only
a year after Selwyn died before we
laid Annie down among the SHOWS.
Thank ye, sir, for your pity. Moth
er an have shed most of our tears"
Mr.. Faxon put his cambria hand
kerchief back into his pocket.
"Your other son, Roscoe, Mr. Derby
did be ever come homer"
"Never. It's nigh on toeight years
since we have seen Roc! He knew
he disappointed US; but that was
nothin' was it mother?"
"I never think of it," said Mrs.
Derby, shaking her head. "Perhaps
Il don't kiow-we took the wrong
course with Roc. He was restless
and active. He was wild, but he
was lovin'-"
Her voice broke.
"Mr. Derby" said Mr.. Faxon, 81
find l know something of your story
already. Your son, Roscoe Derby,
who ran away at nineteen years of
age, is probably living; and it may
come in my way to obtain some in
formation Of him for YOU"
The old people had risen from
their seats, and he went on quickly:
Meanwhile, be at no inconveni-
ence regarding your stay here in your
old home. Your right to occupy it
is unquestioned in my mind, and
let me say you will never during
your liGetimes be required togo hence.
There is the mortgage" he placed
some papers on the table-"the Der
by place is your own"
He rose, putting them gently back
as they pressed toward him, trying
to express their gratitude.
"No-no thanksl Believe me, you
owe me nothing-nothing"
He took his hat. The old man,
who was voiceless, wrung his hand,
Mr.. Faxon turned to Mrs. Derby,
and taking her soft, wrinkled fingers
in his strong palm, bent low and
kissed them. Then he turned to the
door, but in a moment he had come
back.
"Mother-father!" he said. 81 can.
not go, for l know you have forgiven
mel'
And the next instant the strong
man was kneeling with his head on
his mothers knee.
cater long years, mother said
he, as she stroked his temples with