Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-11-21
CHAPTER III.

Eight years later, one day at the end of
summer, Jacob, then strong young fellow
OF eighteen, announced his intention of GO
ing to New York.
'What for can't We bide as Matthew"
asked his mother, ENORMOUSLY. "New
York What will yer do therel Why can't
yer let well enough alonel You're better
of now than yer father was when we mar
ried. Yer have q hundred dollars in the
bank and schooin' why can't yer bide!"
The young fellow laughed awkwardly,
and said, looking at hls father, although he
talked TO his mother: "I-have an idea
could do better for myself in a big city.
think could-I feel | could"
"Feell" calculated hrs mother, with a 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
am going to give it TO him."
That was all that was needed. The boy
wanted but his fathers sympathy and the
woman but firm hand to quell her rebel
lion.
well II yer say it," she said.
Eyes, say it," said Uncle Aaron, rising
in his agitation and pacing the room; al say
it. The lads been good lad, and has a
right TO have his fling. What if he does
come back ID "a couple of years, glad 10 go a.
EARNINGS What harms been done, sayi
What harmi'
'Oh, thank you, father" said Jacob,
huskily; "rm obliged to you"
"WIl yer be a-going soonP said Aunt
Kate, presently, accepting the inevitable
with feminine quickness; "'cause yer'n
need some more socks, Pm thinking"
ufd anil
ing, as one humors child; Eyes, he II need
the socks.
''Pll go and see il the yarn be there said
Aunt Kate, suddenly all wide-awake and
energetic; s'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, sit you had
rather ! didn't, l won't 1t wouldn't be
worth while, you know, TO worry you.n All
the sweet smile that came over his face
Dear lad, / would not keep ye Go!
Ye're young and smart, and l know
yen do WE'LL know yen do well
Why, some of these days it'n be an
honor for me TO say yer my lad-and, per-
haps, yen be ashamed OF yer poor old father
and mother"
"Whatl'' cried the boy, and such look
Of indignant love glowed in his face that
his father added, hastily: "Im but joking,
lad know my boy and reaching out his
hand he clasped the others close.
"Father, / wish you could go with me-"
eyes, yes" said Uncle Aaron, dreamily.
~ 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 Tiff I'd had but the schoolin'
it would have been different Do yer un-
derstandr' he said, modestly; II sound
queer to We, mebbel"
"No," said Jacob, earnestly; "you don't.
Oh, fatherl fatherl What puzzle life is,
anyhow" and the young fellow buried his
face in his hands, and with the seIfshness
of the young groaned aloud The greater
soul merely stihed its pain and said
when will ye go, think yea"
II don't know; next week, guess" said
Jacob, looking up. "Will that be too soon ~
mo-" answered Uncle Aaron, 'not toe
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 no differ what
the others say--it makes no differ"
81 guess" said Jacob, at last, after they
had stood silent some moments, 81 guess
I'll chop pile of wood before go, to keep
mother agoin'"
Gan right" nodded his father.
The boy went about his work, but the
man stood still looking out over the valley.
In dumb way he felt penned in, stifed,
himself. He had felt so often during his
later years, something as of repressed force,
imprisoned power. He was like 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 knowledgei With them
he could have done wonders in the world
he felt IL. Without them he was but 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