Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-10-10
THE MAN WHO NEVER CRIED.

You are said to be a hard-hearted
mana man who has no sympathy
with the sorrows of other people, aud
strangely lacking in feeling when
trouble comes to your own home"
These words were addressed by
young man to one much his senior in
years and experience. His name was
John Andrews; and one would have
compared him to George Washington.
There was the same kingly erectnesS of
form, the same firm, commanding
bearing and voice. His forehead was
high and broad, an Index OF great
intellect. Heavy brows shaded pair
OF steel gray eyes, noticeable for their
expression of controlled force. The
lower part of his face, especially his
squarely built chin, told of an iron will
and an infIexible nature. AS he walked
the street, many gaZed after this
Courtly man, and owned that his intlu-
ence counted for much IN the town
where he had grown up; but the same
thing was always said about him: HIS
heart Is rs hard as Pharaoh's."
The young man, Philip, who uttered
the above words, was a favorite nephew
OF Mr.. Andrews He was a fine, manly
fellow, Just entering college.
Philip had been stung to the quick
by the oft-repeated opinions of people
In regard to his Uncle Johns "hard- =
heartedness. !" and one day he followed
him into his office, and before he could
choose his sentences to soften the
word, spoke his heart out in this heavy
accusation of others.
Looking up quickly to note the ef-
feet, he was panied to see look of
anguish settle like a dark cloud over
hls uucle's face. "Whyl"he exclaimed, !,
do you mean to say, Uncle John.
that you have never heard what people
say of you2 l heard a man declare
to-day tat he never knew of your
shedding a tear in your life"
Mr.. Andrews stood by his desk with
his hand shading his eyes In the
bright sunlight which flooded the office,
his hair was almost white, and deep
lines were fuTrOwed in his face that
Philip had never noticed before His
form was bowed, and his whole ap-
pearance was expressive OF extreme
agony, rs II from the shock of a sudden
blow.
He raised his head-gaZing long and
earnestly at his nephew 5 bright, young
face-and in u voice that trembled,
sail:
'sAnd this IS the sentence that my
old friends have pronounced upon me.
l am a 'hard-hearted man. and yet i
have been good citizen, thank God
good Christian, trust; good hus-
baad and father. All, my boy, 1t IS toe
true that have not shed n tear since
1 was your own age. There is a secret
OF my life which others have never
known. have always kept il buried
IN the depths of my heart; but your
hand has unlocked the door; you shall
know why no one has ever seen me shed
tear or show any emotion When
WAS a boy of sixteen l was not unlike
you, Philip. l had your quick sensi
bilttIes, your warm, impetuous DISPOSE
ton. l had brother, your Uncle
Charles, who was five or six year:
older than I, and we were as fond and
loving Ot each other and OF your Aunt
Helen as any brothers could be-
''She was then young girl of twelve
aud IL seemed to US that there never
was a daIntler, sweeter sister in all tht
world. She had timid, clinging na
ture, that appealed to US for protection
We were all the more tender because
she shared the family trouble; oul
skeleton in the closet was known tC
her. How many nights have L seer
her with her dear, sweet face pressed
against the window, peeIing into thu
darkness for a familiar form shutiinE
home at night from the grog shop
around the corner.
"Often would l take her into my
arms, and tell her TO leave Charles anC
NE TO watch for father; but she alway:
insisted that she could walt on hin
when he came in, and perhaps comfor
mother.
Things grew from worse to worse
until we would not allow Helen 10 SCI
father when he came home. HIS Ian
guage was often abusive and cruel.
"Our family had never been 200
until then; bat we soon commenced 4
feel that father was drinking all tn
earnings. Charles had n position in
village academy, on small salary. AM
WAS clerk in a bank Even witt
what we boys could earn. We had har'
work to make both ends meet 1 coul'
not bear to have Helen do so much
and see her growing paler and thlnne
every day. My heart was broken as
sometimes heard mother cry.
"One day thunderbolt fell upon
in the shape of big bill from Greggs
the owner OF the grog-store. We di
not know what to do. In those days
men were put In jail for debt w
talked of that, mother wringing he
hands at the thought of 1t. Well, you
Uncle Charles and l at last succeede
in getting enough money, and L too
II TO Mr.. Greggs, with the hrm resolv
In my heart that father should neve
get another drop of liquor at tina
place.
1T was hard for me to enter Il
store. There was, on the walk ou
side, group OF kalf-drunken mel
They were lowering near, like mott
round n flame. / was ashamed to 6
into the brightly-lighted room, wheI
there was another group of men, WI
were taking their nigntcaps,' as the
called the final drink The fumes
the liquors made me sick, and wants
- rush out INTO the fresh air agail