River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-04-12

to Patrick, who was very ready to tell him
of all the work that had already been laid
out for the coming spring. Mr.. Lamson
heard him in silence and asked no ques.
lions, for his heart was weary with heavi-
ness, 1d he could not rouse himself to take
any interest in the conversation, and soon
returned 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..
Munroe had not urged hiRa SO strongly 10
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 Civ
en- up his bedroom for the good of the farm,
brit when his old Maggie, that he had driven
for fifteen years, was taken from HIM IN
such a heartlcss manner, he rebelied, and
had now come to the conclusion that he
would destroy the deed, but in order to
do it calmly and without the appearance OF
anger, he must sleep upon it.
When the slegh-bells announced Jima
return, 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
was ready. Then Jin told the news that nc
had heard at the store and Eliza told what
her sister said abeu. The dairy she had plan
ned that Jim had been looking at some
cows to add to his stock and so on. Theold
man made no reply, but Jim did not no.
tice 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 table2
He did not speak one word; not even to
the baby. My mind misgives me about him.
He looks as if he might have shock at any
moment. We ought not to have taken
Maggie this afternoon. Something will
come of it, / feel sure that it was not at
all right You know that deed is neither
signed nor recorded
Then Jim had thorn planted in his pill
tON AVl Nhc htAD1tt Sse bS tNfttSt
mans disdain of woman's wisdom.
mo, / didn't notice him. You are al
ways on the lookout for something ahead
If he is i'll danger of shock he mustn't so
driving around the country alone. Then
the mare il mine; he knows it, tool When
go to the STORE he can go along, too.
The houts as they were told off upon the
old, tall clock, that night crept very slowly
to both father and son. But little sleep
closed their eyelids. Jim being thoroughly
awakened TIC the fact that as yet the farm
was not his, and that he ght to have at
tended to that needful usiness before ne
drove to the Corner" to tell his friends Of
the plans he had made for lis tillage.
When Jim came down stairs the next
morning his father had just kindled a fire
in the stting-room stove, and as soon as
the fire blazed in the kitchen he called him
to come in. Jim went at once, and seeing
folded paper in the old gentleman's hand
he said:
whats that father Have you had the
deed executed"
mo- replied Mr.. Lamson, "nor do in
tend to do son The same moment he
stopped down and thrusted the folded paper
into the brightest flames, which shriyelled
it to ashes.
s'There it goes" he continued, land our
bargain will remain as ii was, or You may
make other arrangements. While | live IN
tend to hold the reins and drive when !
please. When / am gone hope you will
do the same Don't tempt little Jimmie
as | have tempted you. 1t was wrong, all
wrong. Human nature is very weak, anC
the old must go to the wall if the young 50
will it. The Lord forgive sall. But shake
hands and be friends, Jim. / will give you
some more cows. Eliza shall have the
dairy, but not in my dear old room. Th,
back lot shall be drained, but the pine tree
must stand"
Jim gave him his hand, or rather the ole
man took it and pressed 1t warmly. jim
seemed like one dazedl The farm not his
The deed burned Could 1t be possible2
Before he was fully aware of the situation
Eliza came in, the old father told her OF th,
destruction of the deed and his reason fol
doing it. Already she knew that something
was amiss, so the blow was not so crushing
in its effects upon her, and she walked up
to Mr.. Lamson, kissed him on the cheek
and said: "Of course, dear father you vii
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 end of remorse.
Mr.. Lamson lived five years longer, then
died with an upopletic shock, as his daugh-
ter-in-law had predicted. But he never had
occasion to regret that he burned the deed
His heart softened more and more 10 his
children, he only holding the reins, allow
ing them 10 manage the affairs of the farm
aud the dairy as they pleased; but when be
pleased he could be the master.