New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-10-26
THINKING HE SAW GRAPE on TIE DOOR
A HAsTY CONCLUSION WHICH GAVE A FATHER
MUCH PAIN-AN IRISHMANS WAIST
COAT THE CAUSE OF 1T ALL

Young husband and father fastening along IN
suburban town afternoon not long ago to cover
the short distance the railroad station and his
home When he started for business in the morn
Ing his little i'll with fever. so anxiety had
driven the father from his Office at earlier hor than
usual. As hc caught sight of his cnscy home In its
setting q: grccnsward ivy and shade trees, he could
not help thinking how blessed he to have such
place to live in. and above all, that there were await
iug him within It a loving wife. handsome son and
tho pretcSt sweetest, cunninSest baby In or out Oh
Chrstendom.
As the reason of his early coming home crossed his
mind however. cloud spread over his Joy. and ne
onickencd his pace put end to his suspense He
had come within half block of his home on the oppo-
site side Of the street from II. when he saw something
white on its doOr-bcll knob. lie imagined he saw the
object sway gently in the breeze. Gazing intenty on
il. he had walked a dozen PAGES when of sudden he
felt sinking in his heart indefnabe impression OF
fear Of poignant grief and desolaton.
In another instant the feeling had transpanted itself
into words: "My God. IT'S Grape. Arthur Is dead
and the breath seemed leave his body. Pictures OF
hopes and hopes destroyed Of happy hearth and
desoate one Of sunny smile with all aureoe OF curs
and little face pale and cold in DEATH laccrated MS
soul like many knives, as they flashed across MS
,rain with tho rapdity Of sparks from an electric
machine.
"Why did they not telegraph Perhaps they did.
and the telegram didn't reach me. 1t takes me an
hour to get home How will Mary bear up under IL
Perhaps II has killed her. tool No. no. she wouldn't
die She would live for baby" o, God, why did you
take my first born Why did you not take me
instcadi All my dreams for his future all. all for
uaught' 1t cannot be said that he thought these
things. The impressions that cleaned across ms con,
srO,snes would have translated themselves thus had
they not ceeded another too rapidly to be put
into words. a., 49, - A..
lie had slackened his gait. casting his eyes on the
ground but now lie hurried along, and summoned
IN courage TO look at the white object again. 1t did
r,,t seem be Grape now, he nearcd H. but what
else conld Il be. puzzled uncertainty lightened his
load of grief but not until he had crossed tile street
and entered his gate did I've solve the mystery.
The white cloth was waiscOat turned inside out.
which an old rishman had hung on the dOorbell Knob
while cutting the grass. 1t did not take the
undecelvcd father hong to tear the wastcOat down.
ding II clear the fence into neighbours yard.
rush into the house and ask breathlessiy
How is Arthur
"Why, he's much better. What is the matter.
joint"
John at first felt heartily ashamed Of himself, but
as he looked at his wife. who still wore gaze Of
troubled inquiry at the baby In her arm and at Arthur
whose arms were about his legs and whose mouth was
tnrucd up to receive the kiss which would follow
mothers, a feeling OF thankflilness overlooked his
Icart the thought that after all his grief might
have had sufficient ground, and he kissed wife and
children heartily.
him for his fOoshness, but moving closer 10 him.
said
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