Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-10-04

ander,' said Mrs. Hopgood, rather Sc
verely, compressing her lips. You
are aware that do not approve of your
inviting company at any time. still less
at such a period as this. II you haye
been fool enough to ask him, you may
Get out of the scrape The best way you
can.'
but mother
L don't want any more discussion on
the subject said Mrs. Hopgood, daub-
ing away with the brush.
Alexander went out slamming the
door.
'Well,' quoth Alexander, to himself.
IfI can't ask friend 10 dinner at
home, there is at least the alternative
of inviting him to the hotel. never
did such thing before, but don't see
how else I can manage
So Alexander Hopgood entertained
MIR. Ryerson at the hotel, and gave an
unlimited order for iced champagne
and desert. And the upshot OF it all
was that Alexander Hopgood was
brought in at eleven O'Clock at night
by two walters, hopelessly intoxicated.
Don't be f-fraid, mother suffered
he. brandishlng an empty bottle, as he
became dimly conscious of her white,
scared face bending over him. Go on
with your washing! it's a heap jolller at
the hotel than lis at home. freedom
forever. Hoorayp
oh, what shall l do p sobbed Mrs.
Hopgood, when the walters were once
out Of the house, and the roll OF the cab
wheels had died away. To think-only
think that a son Of NINE should ever
stoop to disgrace himself thus
IT'S your ewn fault said Kenny the
second son. You'd not let Ally bring
his friend here 10 dinner
Hold your tongue! !! sharply retorted
Mrs. Hopgood, wincing beneath the
prick of home truth. Call Elsie I; l
need help
'Oh, mother piped Fanny, the
Younger girl, running down stairs in
haste Elsie amt here
Not here p
No, mother, she hasn't been TO bed
at all-ahd there a note on the table
directed to YOU
open it MOTHER said Isaac Hop
good.
This is a sad night for our house
hold. My God, has our home become
80 distasteful to our children that they
fly from it, like rats from falling
house?'
The note was short enough as il
reed:
Dear mother l am tired Of living in
the kitchen. l have run away with
John E lion, and before you see me
again 1 shall have entered upon new
future
Mrs. Hopgood broke into hysterical
sobblngs. Mr.. Hopgood hurrledly read
the hurriedly scrawled paper with @
face cold and set like steel,
Run away with John Elton he re.
peated slowly then God help her iol
he is as great william and scoundrel at
ever lived, and she has sealed her OWE
doom. Mother, mother. this comes ol
your housekeeping
1T wasn't my fault, Isaac sobbet
Mrs. Horgood, rocking herself back
ward and forward in chair into which
she had dropped.
1T was your fault retorted the hus'
band, almost sav.gely. You made
the very name of home a mockery Il
YOUR c,;iis ~ ,}7ar and set your soul inside
scrubblng pail, and no" YOU are reap
Ing the bitter harvest, my dear. -" |
OF course poor Alexander Hopgood
was unable TO lift his throbbng head
off his pillow next day, and his mother
never left him uutil afternoon.
When at last she came down stars,
the parlor blind. were thrown wide
open, a food of sunshine streaming In,
the table neatly set in the dining room'
aud flowers on the table and new books,
game. and puzzles scattered around.
Mrs. Hopgood gazsd around her with
a bewlldered air. She hardly knew her
own home.
This is the way In which we must
live henceforth,' said her husband,
cheerily. Let in the light and sun
shine teach Ben and Fanny that home
is something more than an empty
name, and try, is SO far as 0e cam to
retrieve the errors of our past life.'
Mrs. Hopgood mutely bowed her
head.
L will try, husband she answered.
Treasure Found in Lake Erie.