The Iola register., 1889-11-29
UNCLE AARON
AWIFE REDEEMED.
A Pathetic Story Of a Woman's
Folly and a Mans Heroism.
By MRS. ISOBEL III. FLOYD.
[Copyright, lssal
CHAPTER LII.

CHAPTER III.
Eight years later, one day at the end of
summer, Jacob, then strong young fellow
sf eighteen, announced ais intention of GO
ing to New York.
'sWhat for can't We bide as Matthewr'
asked his mother, querulously. 'New
York! What will yer do there. Why can't
yer let well enough alonei You're better
off now than yer father was when we mar
ried. Yer have hundred dollars in the
bank and schoolin'-why can't yer bider"
The young fellow laughed awkwardly,
and said, looking at his father, although he
talked to his mother: "I-have an idea
could do better for myself in a big city.
think could-I feel couldn
'sFeelln calculated his mother, with con-
temptuous shrug.
LET be, mother" interrupted Uncle
Aaron, sternly; ''don't make game o. the
lad. He's old enough to have his bent, and
I am going to give it to him.
That was all that was needed. The boy
wanted but his fathers sympathy and the
woman but a firm hand to Quell her rebel
lion.
sWell-if yer say it" she said.
''Yes, say it, said Uncle Aaron, rising
in his agitation and pacing the room; Il say
1t. The lads been a good lad, and has a
right to have his fling. What If he does
come back in couple of years, glad to go a
farmingi What harms been done, say
What harm!''
''Oh, thank you, father" said Jacob,
huskily; I'm obliged to you"
"Will yer be a-going soon?" said Aunt
Kate, presently, accepting the inevitable
with feminine quickness; "'cause yer'll
~. -.
"Yes, mother" said Uncle Aaron, Smil-
ing, as one huuors a child; "yes, he II need
the socks"
III go and see if the yarn be there" said
Aunt Kate, suddenly all wide-awake and
energetic; IF he goes soon they're not
made in day." and she jumped up from her
seat, climbed the ladder and disappeared in
the loft above.
Lets go outside,'' said Uncle Aaron.
They went out and stood side by side under
the big pine trees.
Father" said Jacob at last, ''if you had
rather l didn't, / won't 1t wouldn't be
worth while. you know, to worry you" Ah
the sweet smile that came over his face.
Dear lad, l would not keep We. Go!
Ye're young and smart, and l know
ven do well-I know ye'll do well
Why, some of these days it'll be an
honor for me to say yer my lad-and, per-
haps, yen be ashamed of yer poor old father
and mother
"WhatI'' cried the boy, and such look
of indignant love glowed in his face that
his father added, hastily: I'm but joking,
lad. l know my boy" and reaching out his
hand he clasped the others close.
"Father, l wish you could go with me-"
"Yes, yes," said Uncle Aaron, dreamily.
81 wish had been born twenty years later
and different Sometimes, do yer know,
lad. / see another sort of life from this.
feel as if-as if-if I'd had but the schoolin'
it would have been different. Do yer un.
derstand!'' he said, modestly; II sound
queer to We, mebbef
ne" said Jacob, earnestly; ''you don't.
Oh, fatherl father! What puzzle life is.
anyhow" and the young fellow buried his
face in his hands, and with the selfshness
of the yong groaned aloud. The greater
soul merely stihed is pain and said !:
"When will We 60, think yea"
Il don't know; next week, l guess" said
Jacob, looking up. "Win that be too soonr'
No." answered Uncle Aaron, ''uot too
soon-not too soon."
''Some way, father, can't bear to think
of settling down here all my life. 1t just
chokes me-"
Don't fret, lad; don't fret. understand
yer feelin's, and it makes 10 differ what
the others say--it makes no differ"
Il guess" said Jacob, at last, after they
had stood silent some moments, II guess
I'll chop pile of wood before go, to keep
mother agoin'."
"All right" nodded his father.
The boy went about his work, but the
man stood still looking out over the valley.
In dumb way be felt penned in, stified,
himself. He had felt so often during his
later years, something as Of repressed force,
imprisoned power. He was like a grand
lion Gagged, restlessly pacing TO and fro,
stronger than his keepers, and yet unable
TO break the bars by which they bound him.
Those slight and unseen keepers of educa-
ton and worldly knowledgel With them
he could have done wonders in the world
he felt it. Without them he was but a big
wistful-eyed brute, that eat its food and
eat and slept again.
But the boy-that was his one outlet.
Gently he turned, and, smiling, strobe back
towards the house.
CHAPTER ".
Ten years later. Il is evening. Jacob is
sitting with his head bowed in his hands
alone in his home in Charles street, New
York. Suddenly knock comes at the door.
He springs to open it
Father! knew you'd comet I knew
you'd come. Oh, father, father, fatherr'
sobbed out the strong young fellow, broken
iy
my boy-my boy, 1 coined as soon as
gotyour letter. Has-hasn' she come baclii'
"Back!' flashed Jacob, ''no! / wouldn't
mind S0 Tnupl, If II .o,r Htt,a
Alice, She's left her, fsther-our little
child! Ohr' groaned the young fellow,
pacing the room in his agony, ''oh, that 1
never had seen her! On, that
''Stop, JacobI Don't say that Sheis your
wife, and your child g mother, and alters that
is something TO remember. Tell me" he said,
laying down his old-fsshioned carpet sack
on chair, and taking OF his hat, "teu me-
bow long seuce she left ye!" -