Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-11-08

bread. Still the months rolled into years
Rhoda was left motherless, and the sterl
ord man in the grand home Frank hat
left grew more lonely and desolate as ag
crept on, till four years had passed, an,
Frank came for his bride.
| Before seeking her he went to his ole
home, ,and unannounced, entered tn,
room where his father sat musing idly
his hands resting on his lap, his eyes
fixed upon the fire. He did not look ur
as Frank entered, thinking it was ser.
want who came in, and his sons heart
sank as he saw how old and worn 1e
looked. Surely, four years ago his hair
was not so gray and thin, his face o
deeply lined Suddenly he reused hi
self, looked toward the door, and thu,
opening his arms, cried, with yearny
tenderness:
my boy Frank, my SON."
1t was long before he could do me
than stroke his sons hands and hs,
speaking fondest words of affection.
''You will not leave me again, Frank
he nleaded
"Not unless you forbid Rhoda to ,e
here, too"
$50, SOL You have not wavered, thu,
in all these four years4"
Have not my letters told you so
much?"
"Right! Yes, yes, you are constst.
You thought me hard father, Frank"
''Only in that one thing. You hive
been good father to me-"
''But not a kind onel | see whee l
made a mistake. But l meant only knd-
ness, Frank; only kindness. / married
when | was young-like yourself, the
son of rich father. My wife was but
terfiy of fashion. was an earnest man,
striving to do life's duties faithfully. l
was utterly miserable in my married lie,
and wherever looked ! see how money
and its possession crushed out real Lore.
When YOU first loved Rhoda you were
mere children, but even then | hoped it
was transient fancy. Then came my
brothers misfortunes, and Rhodas op-
portunity to prove herself strong, true,
woman, or feeble nursling of luxury.
You, too, were drifting into the idle fol
lies OF man without purpose in life.
| resolved to test you both, to prove Jour
love and manhood, as | was proving
Rhoda's courage.
"Well, well, my dear boy, you we're
not quite so Independent, after all, as
you fancied. My letters procured you
the favorable reception you met with at
Morse & Co.'S, and half your salary
came out of my pocket. / have watched
your cousins interests, too. She would
be surprised if she knew how large d
customer / have been, by proxy, and
how carefully l have respected her hon
est pride while putting money in her till.
1t is all over. / am an old man, Rhods
is alone, so you must come to me. Shall
we 90 now and see Rhodal"
They had turned the corner of the
street where the little store was located
when Frank, gently pushing his father
back, whispered:
'Wait one moment"
Rhoda was standing in the doorway
and her errand-boy was putting up th'
shutters, when they were taken from hi
hands.
You can CO." Frank said, deftl,
taking his work and gravely attending
to it until he gave the key to Rhoda.
Thanks" she said, having had tim
to gain composure after the first shock o
surprise.
''May l come in?"
"And may come, too2" said thire
voice.
''Uncle William!"
''Yes, my dear. Come Frank"
! Then the store door closed behind tn
three, and customers were fastened out
while the old story ends, and new lif
opens for my hero and heroine.-Ne
York Ledger.
Rev. George Washington, who style