Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-09-21


Philip Hayn was not prodigal; he had
spent none Of his inheritance except as spo-
cially ordered by his father, and his only
ground OF self reproach was regarding an
affair about which the neghbors had no
means Of obtaining information; yet the
special efforts made by the family TO mani
fest their Joy at regaining him were unequal
20 tho task OF overcoming the disquieting
effects Of tho nelghbors' tongues.
The dreadful man who bad caught Phil on
the train had spread the news of the boys
return, SO next morning the road from
the village to Hayn Farm presented an ap-
pcarance rs animated as II an auction had
been announced in that vicinity, or II some
one had been found dead in the woods Men
old and young, wives and mnidens, and even
little children, devised excuses for visiting
the farm People who came from tho other
direction were already supplied with the
standard excuse-they wanted 10 borrow
something; those who had really borrowed 80
often as TO doubt their welcome made heroic
efforts TO return what they had already bor-
rowed.
To escape tho succession Of visitors at the
house Phil went TO the bnrn yard to see new
family Of pigs Of which his little brothers had
informed him, but Just above tho fence line
he saw two pairs of cyes--wth their attend
ant heads, Of course--that had boon lying in
wait for an hour or two, after tho manner Of
that class OF countrymen evidently among
the last offshoots from tho brutes, who APP
parently have an inherited animal apprehen-
sion OF harm should they enter the den of any
species higher than their own.
"Guess you didn't see any pigs like them
down TO York; shouted the owner Of one
pair of eyes, while tho other pair opened as
II they would enguf tho returned traveller
Phil nodded his head negatively and precipi-
lately retreated to the barn. where he found
quite respectable old farmer studying the
beach wagon
"Reuben rcckoned mcbbo he could gimme
n bargain IL I'd take this of his hands" he
said, by way OF explanation, 80 l thought
I'd take look at it," Tho old man shook
tho wheels tapped tho bed, examined the
iron work closely, remarking, rs he did so;
"Reckon, by his wantin' to dispose of it,
that them city folks amt comm here next
summer 10 be druv down to the beach, ehf'
81 don't know" said the unhappy youth
He was grateful to the old fellow for not
looking him in the eye, like witness teaser,
as no asked the question, yet he longed to
kick him out Of the barn and lock the doors,
so that there would be one less place for the
enemy to lie in wait, He returned to the
house, and entered the kitchen just In time
to hear a feminine neighbor says
~ s'pose hell wear his now clothes-them
that Sol Mantring fetched word about-to
church on SundayI
Phil abruptly got an Ak and went to the
wood lot; his first impulse was to take his
gun, but half In jest and half in earnest lie
told himself that he would not dare to have
arms in his hands II the torment was to con-
tinue. Yet even while in the depths of the
ancestral forest he was not safe, for, on the
hollow pretenso Of tracking dog who had
been stealing sheep, neighbor followed Phil
TO the woods, found him by the tell tale blows
of tho ak, and had him at his mercy for a full
hour. The visitor had mentally set apak a
half day for the work.
"There's ono way o gettin' rid of this raft
o. people, said Mrs IIayn, who rlp.fly be.
came as indignant as her son u. the persist
ency with which people brought Lucia's
name into conversation zone would s'pose
that the world had got back 10 the way il
was in old Father Adams day, as far as gal.
was concerned, an there was only one female
/ that any body could take notion TO- They
| come a-pesterin' the life out o. me, just as il
| | knowed any more about il than they do
which | dont.n Then the anxious mother
looked slyly, and somewhat reproachfully, at
her son, who flushed and said:
Tell Us the way of getting out of II
mother, and at least one OF your children vii
arise and call you blessed"
/ "Why, it's 10 have the minister an his wifi,
to tea. It's manners, an pretty much every
body knows it, not to disturb anybody the
day they're goin' TO have the minister"
Lets have him." said Phil, eagerly; 'Tl
DO anything TO help you get ready-bca
eggs, stono raisins--anything but go TO III,
store for nutmegs and DO caught by the pro
prietor and all his customers Say, mother
why can't you invite the other ministers too
on successive daysr
"You will wear your new clothes, though
when the minister comes, won't your askeC
the old lady with some timidity. You know
! haint seen 'em on you yet, an I'm a-dyin
10, though | hain't liked to put you to th'
trouble Of dressin' up ON purpose, KNOWN
how men hate to try things on"
Phil promised; he could not resist hi
mothers appealing eyes. AS the old lad
prophesied, the family were not annoyed tn,
day OF tho supper to the minister. Phil
conscience was not easy In anticipation o
the expected guest, for he knew he would b
questioned - ut the appearance OF note,
New York =, ines whom he would be sup
posed to have heard, whereas tho only ser
vice he had attended was at the Tramlays
church, the pastor.of which had no uotoriet,
at all
Perhaps II was 10 punish his youthful par
ishioner for neglect of religious privilege
that the good man questioned Phil quit
closely about the Tramlay family and deliv
cred thoughtful analyst Of the character o
the oldest daughter, with comments upon tn
probable effects of marriage on various quail
tiles Of her nature. After each statement b
appealed TO Phil for corroboration, aud ol
his way home conilded to his wife that he he
lisved he had fully prepared the dear youn,
brother for what he might expect should b
take the important step upon which IN al
probability he was resolved
Phil endured with heCDmug fortitude th
ministers remarks about Lucia, and tn
whispered but not unhrard comments Of tn
minister's wife on the "store clothes,n which
had been worn IN difference TO Mrs Hayni
request, He ate the three kinds Of solid cake
without which no supper TO a Hayutun min
ister was supposed 10 he complete, He mad,
unusual effort, his father being away, K
cause the visit one 10 be pleasantly remem
bered by tho good pastor lie was rewarde-
by discovering that his trip to the city which
he had heard called the Modern Sodom'
and the American Babylon" had not de
stroyed or even weakened his interest in re
hgious subjects, and he was prepared TO re
tire with a more peaceable mind than he haC
known in several days But after the tabl,
had been cleared ami the uueaten pieces O
cake carefully put in an earthen Jar aEains