The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-11-13
SELECTED.
HIS ANCES OR

Jacob Legion, whom everybody sup.
posed was worth million, two or three
times over, has failed,n said fashion
able young man TO group of fashionable
young men at an evening swell party,
where none but those who either have
or expect to inherit large fortunes can
attend.
How about young Clarence Leydon?'
asked Paxton Lighman, young man
about eighteen, was noted as being the
best dancer, the strongest athelete and
the greatest tlrt among the swells of fash
ion, aud also that his father was worth
much more than a million.
That is the hardest part of It," sa d
the first speaker "lIe will be Obliged
to go to work, aud he does not know how
to do single thing
That is Tough eXlamed another
young man, "to have ones governor fail
just when one needs him. or rather needs
his cash, in society,"
That is not my idea at ALL said an
other. 1--WE ought to be able to take care
Of ourselves indedeudent Of the govern
or. As for my place, am studying med
icine, for which | have liking | am
not going to be a fashionable pauper all
my life. | think that the young man who
depends upon his father is dependent.
and any one of my age who is wholly de
pendent is & pauper.'
just then the music commented, and
the conversation ended.
1t was late that night, or rather early
in the morning, when Paxton Lightman
got to his own home. He found his
mother hau not forgotten him, but had Il
bright fire in the dining room CRATE for
him, and lunch upon the table.
As he ate his lunch the enuNar allan
oame back to him, but most prominent
Of all was these words, zone who is Who'll
ly dependent is pauper.' That must
mean him. He had never earned cent
in his life. Why need he? Was not his
father rich? And did he not have his
books and his athletic club and was he
not having plenty OF fun in Society?
Around upon the walls were the pct-
ures of his ancestors. Queer place for
them in the dining-room, out that was a
freak of his fathers. There was Sir
John Lightman's picture. Sir John was
his great grandfather His father and
mother took good deal of pride in Sir
John.
HAVING nulSutN MS luuAl, nt lluNth
his chair around so as TO get the full ben
eft of the fire. Yes, he was from the
aristocracy; but zone wholly dependent
Is a pauper.'
He became aware that he was not alone.
Over in the large easy chair sat an old
man. Who WAS he? For all the world
he looked like the picture OF Sir John.
Good evening, Paxton" said the old
man.
Good evening, sir; but | did not
know you were here. VINO are your
said Paxton.
II am your great-grandfather,"
"Sir john
"No not Sir John, but John Litmsn.
"But-n
And Paxton turned to the noted pict.
ure, when behold, the frame was empty =;
the picture having disappeared. Where
vas it?
THAT is all right" said the old gentle
man who noticed the puzzled look upon
the young mans face. 81 was tired and
concluded that would come out and
have a talk with you. have seen you
as you have been in and out of this room.
have wanted to talk with you. You see
Paxton, have heard your father and
mother talk so much about Sir John
Lightman, that got sick and tired of it.
and tonight made up my mind that !
would leave the old frame, where l had
been for seventy-tve years, and come
down here and have talk with my great
grandson, who, | am afraid, Will grow
up and &c an educated fool, or rather
foolish boy with a good education. "
81 don't understand" exclaimed Pax
ton, who hardly knew whether it would
he wise or foolish to be offended at the
smiling old man.
"What do you meanr'
"Well, to be plain, Paxton, | used to
work"
You work. Sir John?'
"Do not call me Sir John; there never
was Sir John Liehtman; that Is all in
the imagination of your father"
who and what were you -
John Lghtman, who has the honor
Of being your great grandfather. Here
Is bit of family history. | was can
lie maker in London, and made for
tune by it. After | died my two sons,
Inc eldest of which was your grandfath-
er, continued the business after me, and
they too made money. Your fathers IN
heritance from his father WAS enough to
make him rich. He could not play me
off as Sir John In London, so ne came
| to America, bringing me win nun III
America he married your mother, and
here we are. And | am not Sir John at
all; am simply John LAshtman' former
y candle maker in London.
"Realy, this is interesting ssla fsN-
ton.
yes; but heard yon say to-hlght'
since you came home from the party
hat one who is wholly Dependent Is q
pauper'
Yes, | did aay that an, .-
"Then my great gfanuchlu' IeliIo i,iool
it; you nor no one else never made a
more true statement
Just as the last words zen rom cue oiu
mans lip, he quickly disappeared from
the chair, the blank space IN the frame
hanging on the wall was hiled ana tne
face of his great-grandistner, or
John" as ho WAS called was calmly iooh-
ing down upon Paxton, as ne sat lnefe
rubbing bis eyes ana wondering no"