Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1890-12-17

by series OF misfortunes, of which
need not tell you. By degrees 1 lost,
until became quite fortuneless, quite
frlendless."
els the girl who brought me here
your only child?" inquired.
"Ah! it is of that / would speak"
sighed the sick man, pressing my hand.
''I had another child-a son."
And is he dead?"
'No; but he is dead to me. / lost him
through my pride, my worse than folly"
where Is he now?"
"Alasl know not"
HE has deserted youp"
o''No; drove him from my door. II
was in my days of pride and afiuence
that disowned him, and cast him on
penniless"
The old man pressed his feeble hands
upon his brow, as IL to still its throb-
bling, and closed his eyes with . sup
pressed groan.
II loved my son." he continued, after
pause. 81 was proud of him, too; but
even he could not change the frmness
of my will 1t is that which has es-
tranged usl'
SIN what manner"
Scan you not guess? Had you known
William, you would have discovered
ere this. His generous soul, so unlike
my own, was totally free from the fam
lily pride and prejudice to which owe
my ruin. He had no idea OF the aris-
tocracy of wealth; and when he found
among the laboring classes a maiden,
whom he thought might make him
happy, he cared not for her humble
condition, tut resolved to win her heart
and hand"
And you opposed him?"
Firmly, bitterly, blindly opp osed
himP' exclaimed the old man. "He
was a major, and l could not enforce
my commands, but l threatened, little
thinking my threats were vain. l told
him in a moment Of calmness, that the
hour which saw him united to the poor
girl he was wooing saw him no longer
my son. But his soul, like mine, was
above compulsion- and, unlike mine, it
scorned the allurements of wealth. He
believed that toll and poverty were
honorable, and that worth was oftener
found with them than with luxury and
riches. He trusted that he had found q
priceless jewel in the person of the
humble girl he loved. and he boldly, un-
hesitatingly offered her his hand,
although he knew l would disinherit
him"
"And he married her?"
Eyes, and from that time l have
never seen him! He provided q home
for himself and wife in Boston, and
wrote me letter. In that he begged
me to excuse-he did not say forgive
his acting against my wishes, but said
not word-not a syllable about being
received once more as my son and heir.
He ended by inviting me to visit him in
his new but humble abode, and express
ing desire that we might live on
friendly terms. 1 was too proud to visit
him, and he never saw fit to cross my
threshold again"
And he continued to. reside in Bos-
ton-in the same city with you, his
father?"
Yes, for time; but he was poor, and
could not bear, l presume, the sight OF
those Of his old associates who ceased
TO know him, when he was no longer
able to live in style. lie scorned them,
1t is true, but he hated the sight OF
them, and therefore removed from the
city"
'And he never came to you or wrote
to you afterwards" said /.
"Never! The last heard of him
he was in New York, and in tolerable
circumstances. o! what a triumph II
would be to him could he see me thus
reduced shorn of my pride and wealth
'FYou see am now left alone in the
unfriendly world with the child who
brought you hither. AS my riches failed
me, being swept away by misfortunes
my old friends dropped of one by one
and now sickness has reduced me to the
helpless, miserable condition in which
you behold me. There is not an indi
vidual living who cares for me or mine
You have already shown some kindness
to US, for which Heaven reward you
But you are the only one, the only
oneT'
The sick man turned his eyes upwards
then closed them wit b q sigh.
At this moment observed that the
stranger, who at first seemed to take nc
interest in the old mans story, had a
length drawn his chair closer to the bee
side. as If to listen.
my pride is humbled now," resumed
the invalid, after long pause. g
think might be brought to ask relic
of the very son I have disowned. Oh
God, how just has been my punishment
to think that he, whom cast on, is now
in all probability, able to laugh at iny
fall in the midst of his growing pros
D,,k a L he n IA
Think you my William, who was once
my JOY and pride, would have the hear
to triumph over me in my misery?"
mo, he would notp said deep
earnest voice behind me, which made
me start.
On looking around, saw the strange
Ihad admitted approaching the bedside
AS the light fell upon his brow, be
held it dark with agony, and there wa
tear glistening in his eye.
who spoke? What voice was that?'
demanded the invalid, turning on hi
pillow.
made way for the stranger, and h,
drew near the bed. He bent over thu
form Of the old man, and their eyes met
at was l that spoke" said thu
stranger, in hurried, husky tones, II
was my voicev'
The old man stared at him wildly.
"And who are your" he demanded
"Do you not know me?' murmuret
the other. ''Oh, Godl that it shoul'
come to this. that am forgotten by MI
fatherl"
William! my son William sobbeC
the invalid, ''oh, my injured-my noble
and forgiving boyr'
The old mans voice was choked b,
sobs, as with his feeble arms he drey
his son more closely to his bosom.
turned away to dash aside tho tear
which came unbidden to my eyes, dim
ming my sight and when ] looked
again, near minute after, beheld TIT
father and son still locked in eacl
others arms AS l contemplated tina