Wichita eagle., 1889-05-09

are no longer children. we are men,"
at will be better in the end"
pleaded Tom. He will love US better
out of sight"
''How will you break it to him."
sobbed Alice. 1T will kill him to
think that his temper has driven you
from him"
s.He need never know it." said Bob.
''.I viii only show him the business
side of the matter" He went out to
find his father.
But Edward guessed the truth. An
hour later his wife found him sitting
alone. His features were drawn and
sharpened as by sudden age.
'.Alice," he said 1.-The boys want to
leave us. l feel that they are alien
ated from-me. l fear that / have
been too stern with them" She did
not answer. "You think I have been
too stern?"
mo, Edward" Alice could hold
her peace for lifetime; but if forced
to speak she would not bridge the
gulf with little lies. you have not
been stern, but exacting and fretful-"
He was silent, never having received
such blow. Ito you?' he said, in a
low voice. ''You have found it hard
to bear?
Sometimes, my husband" She
went up to him and put her arms about
him; but he gently pushed her aside.
Il would rather be alone. exact
ing and fretful!'
He had always felt that he was deal
ing love as largesse about him, receiv-
ing poor return; and he had been the
suspicious, unreasonable tyrant, max
ing home intolerable! He had never
seen this face in the mirror before, but
he knew it was his own.
ASK the boys to defer their prep
arations," he said to his wife. 81 will
talk it over with them when l can
think clearly"
But they mover talked it over.
Mr. Moxon had been tempted to in
vest heavily IN mining speculation.
The news Of It's failure came to him
that day. He read the telegram aloud
and laid it down.
Are you deeply involved in it, Ed
ward?" his wife asked.
Yes. Ii this be true we shall lose
every thing-stocks, land and house.
l am an old man to begin the world
again"
why fatherm Bob sprang from his
chair and ran to him. wen begin it
together; you and Tom and l. Three
boys! Well go to California and start
afresh."
Tom had his arm about the other
shoulder. Edward looked up at them
and at his wife who was kneeling at
his feet. He laughed, but the tears
came
please God. it may not be as bad
as we think; but it it is, boys, I'm
ready"
1t was even worse that they thought.
When the business was settled there
was bare pittance left. hardly enough
to take the family to California.
But through these dreary days it
was noticeable that not word of COM
plant came from Ned Moxon's lips.
The man in him rose to face this real
disaster. He was hearty, cheerful,
courageous Every day he came to
Alice to tell her of some new proof of
kindness from his friends, who crowded
about him in this dark hour.
But 1t is the boys who will carry US
through he said, with triumph.
They will stand by me shoulder to
shoulder. They have heads for bust
ness such as | never had, Alice"
The Moxons, father and sons, have
had hard fight for success in Cali,
fornia- For years they marched to-
gether over bare space IN life, facing
poverty and even want. Edward
Moxon knew that it was his own folly
which had brought his wife and chill
dren into these straits, and he worked
with desperate energy to protect them
from hardships All the strength and
tenderness of his character came out;
the aggrieved whine never was now
heard in his voice.
II wonder" said Robert one day to
his mother, "hOw 1 ever could have
thought father ifttenpered. He bears
the worst troubles with such large
calm good humor"
That evening Rosa putting her sugar
in her tea. balanced the tongs on her
fingers. Light weight mamma!
Where did they come from2"
Her father frowned. They came
from a man." he said, who in the
time OF my trouble offered to back me
with money to any amount. If you
notice every dfsagreeable trife, Rosa.
you viii make life burden"
Then Alice felt that her husbands
cure was complete.
But there are so many Ned Moxons
IN the world! So many wives and
children are crushed under their many
virtues and their single fault,
Is there no cure for them but bank
ruptcy or death?-Rebecca Harding
Davis. in \. 7. independent
SYLvANUs-We can not use your joke
about the brakeman being the nou-con-
ductor OF the lightning express GO TO