Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-12-02
Your father Is beckoning to you,"

Your father Is beckoning to you,"
said Leslie, calmly.
Walter walked unwillingly to the
Office, knocking down stool or two ON
the way. Instead of his fathers thin
austere iyisage, flushed, kindly face
met him.
Why, Wally, boyr
. BY George! shouted Walter, a if it
isn't Uncle Grizzly himselfr finging
his arms about the old mans neck
and kissing him, regardless of the
spectators.
Grizzly? The scamp hasn't forgotten
the old joke. Well, well! stand off
bit, boy, till 1 get a fair look! The
same honest, ugly phiz. Neither of
US ever were beauties!''
|. Mr.. Ewalt watched the two men
walking off together, arm in arm,
laughing.
ugly? Not at all, Walter is
remarkably handsome boy" he
thought.
Leslie Crawford touched him on the
arm.
~ have just heard, sir, of another
debt of Walters to Snyder" he said.
The kindly light went out of Mr..
Ew;llt's face.
"Very well. The end must come
soon." After a moments pause he
said coldly, II thank you for your
watch over him, Mr.. Crawford; l will
not forget it, and when the time
comes"
''rNo, sir. There can come no time
for payment. Mine has been labor
of friendship for your son."
"Friendship?" muttered Mr.. Ewalt,
bitterly, as Leslie walked away. "That
man knows that he will take Walters
place in the store, and that, soon. He
desires it. But as for friendship"
Walter and his uncle strolled through
the city, took supper, and were as
happy as two boys together. But when
Walter was alone again the load of
care rolled back on him. He hardly
knew how he had plunged into debt.
He was careless, reckless, mad for
excitement, the hot blood surged
through his veins. But he had not
meant to be vicious.
"If anybody had ever held out
helping hand | might have made a
man, after all. he thought, as he lay
tossing on Lis bed that night. "If
mother had only lived"
From his father he had only heard
peevish, singing sarcasm, and the
daily command to "go and learn some
thing of cotton and dress goods"
IF l could be rid of these debts, I
would begin all fresh. I'd goihto tiie
store, and do my best. One hundred
and fifty dollars would make a free
man of me. But l would as soon get
million"
He lay awake until near morning,
and entered the store late the next
day, his head throbbing and his eyes
bleared from loss Of sleep.
Your father has sent out for your
uncle" said Leslie, looking up from
his desk;
Il
There was an unusual composure on
even his calm face. He spoke slowly,
as if weighing even those trivial
words.
You're turning into regular
machine, Les." said Walter, irritably.
"Iron, screws, wheels-so much noise
ground out"
Crawford's cold eyes followed him as
he passed OIL, and then dropped quietly
on the long line of figures before him.
But he made no entries. He was
listening like sleuth-hound to the
smothered sound of voices in Mr..
Ewalt's Office. Besides the merchant,
! there was waiting for Walter his uncle
and tall, red headed gentleman whom
he recognized as an officer of the bank.
His father was standing, slip of paper
in his hand lie held it out to Walter,
smiling nervously, feverish, scared
gentleness in his manner which startled
the boy.
"Ahl here is my son. He will ex-
! plain it, Mr.. Luckett. This check,
Walter; did you ever see it beforep"
Walter glanced at it.
Il don't know, sir. 1 go to cash your
checks every day. This may have been
i among them. j can't say"
Don't you examine the checks
before you present them and count the
money!" inquired Mr.. Luckett.
Walter grew crimson.
Sometimes, but not always. Father
knows the checks are right, and the
cashier knows the money is right, so /
don't trouble myself, of course"
Hastily, ats wrong, but l have no
head for business"
The officer smiled meaningly, but
made no answer.
/ "You don't understand, Walter"
said his father. "AIy name is forged
to this check. Mr.. Luckett said you
presented it day before yesterday, and
drew the money for it. Is that true g'
| II don't know, sir. If did, of course
I didn't know it was forged. / took
over half a dozen checks to cash. You
or Leslie gave them to me. / don't
know which. Why" suddenly cough
ing, aof course 1t couldn't be. You
wouldn't give me a forged check on
yourself, sirY"
"The boy is so guiltless that he does
not see that you suspect him." said
Uncle George, angrily turning on the