Iron County register., 1890-01-23
UNCLE AARON q;
Or
A WIFE REDEEMED.
A Pathetic Story Of a Woman's
Folly and a Mans Heroism.
By MRS. ISOBEL II. FLOYD.
copyright, lSS9.l
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
Eight years later, one day at the end of
summer. Jacob, then Il strong young fellow
of eighteen, announced his intention of 60
ing to New York.
what for can't ye bide as Matthew?n
asked his mother, querulously. New
York! What will yer do there! Why can't
yer let well enough alone: You're better
off now than yer father was when we mar
ried. Yer have d hundred dollars in the
bank and schooIin'-why can't yer bide:"
The young fellow laughed awkwardly,
and said looking at his father, although he
talked to his mother: ''I-have an idea l
could do better for myself in big city. l
think could-I feel l could.n
''Fcel!" calculated his 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
I 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 queIl her rebel
lion.
.Well-if yer say it" she said.
''Yes, l say it, said Uncle Aaron, rising
in his agitation and pacing the room; Il say
It. The lads been good lad, and has u
right to have his fling. What if he does
come back in a couple years, glad to go a
farming! What harms been done, l say:
What harm:n
''Oh, thank you, father" said Jacob,
husllily; I'm obliged to you.''
''Wiu yer be a-going soon." said Aunt
Kate, presently, accepting the inevitable
with feminine quicl1ness; "'cause yer'n
need some more socks, I'm thinking"
s.Yes, mother,' said Uncle Aaron, smil-
ing, as one humors child; ives, he'll need
the socks"
IN go and see if the yarn be there" said
Aunt Kate, suddenly all wide-awalle and
energetic; ''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, ''if you had
rather 1 didn't, l won't. 1t wouldn't be
worth while. you know, to worry you" All
the sweet smile that came over his face
Dear lad, l would not keep ye Go,
Ye're young and smart, and l know
yen do WE'LL know yell do well.
Why, some of these days it'll be an
honor for me to say yer my lad-and, per-
haps, yen be ashamed of yer poor old father
and mother"
''What!'' cried the boy, and such look
of indignant love glowed in his face that
his father added, hastily: I'm but joking,
lad. l know my boy" and reaching out his
hand he claspcd the others close.
"Father, wish you could go with me.''
Eyes, yes" said Uncle Aaron, dreami!y.
81 wish had been born twenty years later
and different. Sometimes, do yer know,
lad, l see another sort of life from this /
feel as if-as if-if I'd had but the schoolin'
it would have been different. Do yer un-
derstand.' he said, modestly; Il sound
queer to ye, mebbe:''
NO." said Jacob, earnestly: ''you don't.
Oh, fatheri fatherl What puzzle life is
anyhow and the young fellow buried his
face in his hands, and with the selfshness
of the young groaned aloud. The greater
soul merely stifed its pain and said
"When will We go, think yea"
II don't know; next week, l guess" said
jacob, looking up. "Will that be too soon?''
NO" answered Uncle Aaron, mot too
soon-not too soon."
'iSome 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
iitu SIpOu SiIcuI SOIile ILOElculS, guess
I'll chop pile of wood before / go, to keep
mother agoin'.''
''All right" nodded his father.
The boy went about his work, but the
man stood still looking out over the valley.
In a dumb way he felt penned in, stified,
himself. He had felt so often during his
later years, something 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 knowledge! With them
he could have done wonders in the world
he felt it, Without them he was but a 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, strode back
towards the house.