The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-01-12

/ had you come to me frankly and asked
for them. But you preferred to steal
! them"
He sat some time in silence, looking
earnestly at the boy, then continues:
al thought when brought you in
here that would punish you as you de-
serve; but l have changed my mind.
You can go; but remember, if you ever
set foot on my place again, FL give you
a thrashing you'll never forget"
Fred made no reply. But he felt very
humble and contrite as he walked slow
ly out of the kitchen, and took his way
to the woods. He was greatly relieved
to be out of the way Of those keen gray
eyes, which had the power to make him
feel so mean, so utterly ashamed OF
himself. and he thought he would al
most rather have taken the "thrashing
than the lecture He saw nothing OF
his friends, and it was dark when at
length he reached home, weary and out
of sorts.
You look tired out, Fred" said his
mother, as he came in. ''But here is
something that will make you forget all
about it," and she took letter from
her pocket
From Uncle Jabez?" cried Fred.
Eyes. and he has bought farm near
Hopedalc station, only two miles by
rail. He says it is q beautiful place,
with every thing we need in the way OF
| 40 I'D NJ 20
join him us soon as possible. So we
will leave here by the first OF the month
after all"
Fred had so much TO do during the
next ten days in helping his mother
pack up her household goods that he
had little time to think OF the unpleas-
ant adventure with the old gentleman;
but whenever he did think OF it he felt
decidedly uncomfortable. and resolved
that as long as he lived he would never
visit again the vicinity of that stone
farmhouse.
1t was beautiful September day
when he and his mother arrived ut
Hopedale station, and they found q
light wagon waiting to convey them to
Valley View, as Uncle Jabez's farm was
called.
The driver, a young negro, informed
Mrs. Norris that her uncle had been too
busy to spare the time to meet her, but
would be ready to receive her ut the
farm, three miles distant.
at would have been shorter for you
| to have driven across from Box
borough said the negro. 1T amt
more'n seven miles by the county road.
But sccin' rs you'd have so much lug
gage Mr.. Holden thought you'd better
come by rail"
AS the wagon turned bend in the
road the negro turned to Fred:
See that stone house on the hill" he
said. That's the place"
| Fred looked in the direction indi-
Gated. and every particle OF colcr left
his face. For moment he thought he
must be dreaming. But, no. He knew
that stone house too we'll to be mistaken
in it. 1t was tho same in the kitchen
Of which he had sat facing that terrible
old man and listened to that well-re-
membcrcd lecture.
Not word did he utter as the wagon
drew up to the gate. He was 'in forit"
There was no escape. But when Uncle
Jabez appeared at the front door, and
after welcoming his niece warmly, turn
ed with outstretched hand toward her
son, with n And this is your boy, my
dear" poor Fred felt rs if he would have
welcomed 4 sudden cyclone that would
have whirlcd him u hundred miles
away.
Fortunately Mrs. Morris had entered
the house, and did not see her uncle's
hand fall by his side again without
having touched that of her son; did
not see the look of surprise and grief
that came upon that wi'inklcd, kindly
face, nor Frcd's utter and very evident
misery.
Without q word Mr.. Holden followed
his niece into the house. and it was not
until bedtime, when uncle and nephew
were alone in the kitchen for few min
utes, that any thing was said between
them concerning that which lay so
heavily upon their minds.
Fred" said the old gentleman, "the
less we say now about that affair of ten
days ago the better perhaps, for l am
at loss how to act"
you said if ever set foot on your
place again you'd give me thrashing,'
said Fred. 81 suppose 1 ought to take
it. l confess that deserve it."
Perhaps so. But for your mothers
sake I won't give it to you now. I'll
hold it over you. however, and if you
ever again give me cause to be ashamed
of you I'll administer it with compound
| interest"
1t is hardly necessary to say that
Fred never received that thrashing. nor
that he never again robbed an apple
orchard. His first experience in that
line was his last. But as long as he
lived he never forgot the shame and
humiliation he suffered during that
dreadful quarter of an hour he had sat
facing his unknown uncle, who was to
prove, next to his mother, the best and
dearest friend he ever had. -Wc renee
| B. HuILOMeM in CHicHnO Sfnndn9d