Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-03-29
FATHER OR SON?

Mrs. La Rose, seated in tho Jersey
"carryall" that belonged to the Deacon
lIarland Place." looked across the fertile
fields of her old friends farm, and fixed
her eyes with Il certain interest on the
tall, well-develOped young man who was
coming down the lane, leading hand
some colt by the forelock, while the colt
rubbed his velyety nose ailcctionatcly
against his masters shoulder, and licked
his hand.
"That is my son Joe, Mrs. Ia Rose-my
only child" replied the farmer.
GLOW much he is like you, Us you were
in your eighteenth year, when l came
from teaching school to visit your sister
IIetty, at the old place in New Hamp-
shire" said the widow, speaking for
once without at'cctation, and ending the
sentence with 4 sigh.
The deacon looked uneasily at her and
then at her lovely 17-yearold daughter,
who sat on the front seat beside the hired
man, who was driving the party home
LII his eighteenth year, a poor farmers
son, he had been this woman'S lover.
Now, in his fifty-ffth year, the wealthy
proprietor Of 4 most valuable and extern
siye fruit farm in New Jersey, lie was
troth-pligh:ed to his old loves beautiful
daughter, and she was coming with her
mother to pay her first visit to her future
home.
The worthy man was not deceived. lie
knew that this lovely child did not love
him. lie fully understood that she was
about to wed him at the cntreaty OF her
mother and in the hope of securing for
that mother the wealth. the freedom from
all pecuniary care, and the luxurious life
and home, which she had never yet en-
joyed.
All these things he meant to secure to
her. In return, he hoped and believed
that she would learn to love him. Craft
tude would surely teach her that lesson,
since (as her mother declared) she loved
no one else.
But it would be fatal TO her hopes to let
her gain the least knowledge of the early
love that had existed between her mother
and himself.
And he blessed his lucky stars, when
his matched chestnuts, scenting their sta
BILE, and seeing Joc's bay colt prancing
beside his master in the lane, broke into
run that tested the strength and skill of
Nike, the driver, and frightened the
widow entirely out OF all her reminis-
cences by the time they condesccndcd 20
pause before the verandah steps.
Joe Harland viewed the arrival with
profound disapproyal from afar. He had
loved his mother tenderly. He resented
what lie considered slight 10 her mcm-
ory. He was wrong there, however. The
deacon had been a widower for more than
five years, and all the widows and old
maids in Ellintown had long since given
up in despair trying to keep house for
and to sympathize with him.
A maiden sister of the deaGon's had
managed the affairs of the household since
the wife's death. She, as well rs Joseph,
had been greatly surprised when the
farmer had announced the speedy coming
of the lady guests from New York. And
she, as we'll as Joseph, had supposed the
elegant widow to be the bride-elect.
In the old days on the homc-farm in
New Hampshire, this sister had been the
Hetty whom Julia Carlyon haG visited.
And, knowing so much of the carly love
affair, she naturally supposed that il was
now about 20 be renewed.
Mistress Hetty welcomed the mother
and the daughter very cordially to Har-
lands, deeming it well that she should
keep on the best terms with its future
mistress.
Joseph did not appear until the late tea
which was ordered in compliment to
the travelers-was on the table. Then he
came forward at his fathers request, was
introduced to the guests, made two sulky
bows, and studied his future step-moth-
er's face during the whole meal from
under pair of heavy black eyebrows,
with pair OF deep blue eyes. He scarcely
looked at little Esther, who sal beside
him.
But she stole many sidelong glance at
him-w ordering why lie looked 50 stern