The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1889-10-31
THE FELLOWS RETURN.

"WiIl You ask whether Mr.. Graham
will see a strangcrw
The clerk thus spoken 90 nodded,
arose, and went into an inner Office. The
stranger remained, leaning against the
walnut ratings of the desk, his hand
triiliug with the little door that shut
outsiders from the sauctum within He
was tall fair man, OF thirty, with close
cropped hair and beard. His shoulders
were broad, his features handsome. but
there was an old air about him that had
puzzled the clerk, and would have per
picked any one. IL WAS something that
could not be defined, but it peryadcd the
whole man; a suppressed look, as of one
forced in some way to hide his feelings;
a manner of standing and holding his
hat which had something apologize in
it,
"NIr. Graham will scc you, sir" said
the clerk, returning aud opening the little
rallied door. I'm thcrc--thc office TO the
wight
The stranger passed into The room in
dicatci, and closed the door behind him;
then standing with his back against it,
he fumblcd with his hat in the same odd
manner in which hc had handled 1t in the
outer office, and instead Of speaking,
looked at the gentleman behind the desk
with eyes that had mcasurclcss appeal
in them.
The other did not rise from his chair,
nor hold out his hand, nor even speak
for some moments; each looked ut the
other, that was all. liut it was the elder
one, at the desk, who broke the spell at
last.
$50 hc said, "it is you, James,"
"ics, 1t is l." said the other
"lIaycn't you a word for me, William"
al have good many words that yoa
might not like to hear" said William
Graham. IL really cane say I'm glad to
see you, delighted, honorcd, aud all
that, you know
81 don't expect any one to he glad,
said the other. 'I know I've disgraccl
the family, but I've been punished for it.
Ten years, William-think of that -
ten years Of prison life. aud prison fare,
and prison iricads! I'd hal given my
soul to undo what did, even before it
was found out; and never meant to
keep the money!
owe all know tho story said the
merchant "Nou were in Il position Of
confidence; You betrayed it. IT, the old
affair. I've had it happen in my own
office. ! can't feel any sentimental pity
for fellow like you. What brings you
here, Jaucs!'
IL, A..
looking from under his eyebrows in an
abjcct fashion, ptiablc to contemplate,
when one saw in what gentlcmanly
mould he had been cast, James Graham
answered, ~ was twenty when | went
to prison. I'm thirty now. The outside
world has been n blank to ne all these
years. want work. want you to give
it to mc-any honest work, William.
I'm good book keeper, but I'll be II
porter, an errand man, anything"
so, no; not anything here, said the
elder. you've rcckOncd without your
host, James. You are no brother OF
mine. cast you of when you became u
felon. For the sake of the poor woman
who called you 'son, Ill give you some
money, enough to live on for week or
two. | will never give you another pen
ny--don't expect 1t. | will have you
turned out if you come here again"
The prison faint was so strong upon
the other man that his pride was not
aroused yet; he fumbled with his hat,
ground himself against the door, looked
abjcc,iy from under his eyebrows again,
md asked; GLOW is sister Jessie!'
"Wcll," said the merchant.
"Can you tell ne where she livcs?"
asked his brother.
"No,' said the merchant. "Jcssie is
married, and has tried to forget the ter
riblc grief you gave her. You are the
last person respectable brothcr-in-law
would care to see"
"l'il ask you one more question:" sait
James, in a ialtering voice "Ada Mus
groyc--what has become of herr Is she
living! Is she marriedi"
"I have no information for YOU" sale
the merchant, harshly, "lIerc are ter
pounds. II you arc careful you will ge
employment before il is gone. Remem
Ter, you'll not have another penny iron
ny hand. Take it and go, and don
come back againp
lie flung the money down upon tn
table But there was spark of man
hood in his brothers breast even yet; h
could not take gift SO proifered.
Suddenly the abjcct look upon his fac
changed to one of wrath and hate.
Tall as he was, hc seemed to grow
head taller as he drew his shoulders back
and, glaring at his brothcr, threw tn
: sovereigns that lay before him into hi
brothers face.
"Hang you, keep your money" h
said. II don't want it. / don't wan
anything from you or any one. cam
for help, it is true; for help to be a
honest man. I've been among the oul
casts OF the world SO long that I've los
all kinship with you decent folk; but
thought brother might hold out han