The Portland daily press., 1891-04-13

take this rocking chair, and give Tine
your hat"
Joe was handsome, and in stature. at
tire and bearing striking contrast to
plain little Jared Harpwick.
see that I've come at wrong-time,
Joe," he said, pleasantly. "Just when
| you're expecting company"
Yes, you did-but don't worry about
that, Jared"
Joe, my boy, what kind of company
were you expecting?'
lE wasn't good company" said Joe,
recklessly. GIVE just fifty dollars left of
what was prosperous business, and
don't know where more is to comefrom.
In sheer desperation, invited two dissi-
| pated young men here in the hope of
winning more from them at cards."
"And suppose you had lost the money
what thenT'
81 don't know, and don't care"
"Why didn't you wait till you heard
from me, Joe?"
''Well, 1 didn't expect any help.
knew just how father would act when
| you went to him-hardly listen to you,
and maybe go on saving. He never has
treated me right; but, Jared, haven't
done right either. knowthat now bet
ter than l ever did. was never asgood
son at home, and I've been'worse away"
! His voice had sunk from harshness to
softer tones, and as Jared, looking his
sympathy, let him go on, he proceeded
| in words that showed that now was the
time to touch his heart.
81 have thought, Jared, that if father
would help me little, now when don't
deserve it, could feel better toward
him, and we could be as father and
son should be. l should know that he
thought something of me. But I can't
expect it, and I'm not going to ask you
| what he said, for fear he has been hard
on me, and to save you the trouble of
telling me-"
GIVE come with help, Joe," said Jared,
"and p
A loud, confident knock interrupted.
Joe opened the door and stepped into the
hall. Jared heard him explain that he
'could not have the game" There were
angry expostulations in unsteady voices.
By and by Joe returned, and he and
Jared talked long into the night, Joe
telling the circumstances of his failure.
"rve come to try TO help you," said
| Jared, "and tomorrow I'll call-upon your
| creditor and see what arrangement can
| be made"
81 would go with you," said Joe, ''but
we had quarrel the other day, and I
guess used pretty hard language, He
says he'll not see me again, and is push
ing me now harder than before"
| 'I1l go alone, then, joe"
| eff you succeed, Jared, promise you
I'll try to be better to father, to compen-
| safe him for thisI"
| A shade passed over Harpwick's face,
and he did not reply.
Next morning he wentrto see the man.
| ufacturer, and Joe met him anxiously
on his return.
''Pve arranged for the payment of
your debt" said Jared, quietly, land
| the manufacturer agrees to furnish you
| fifty machines, on time, to start again
| with. You are on your feet once more"
''God bless father!" cried Joe. ''Tn
| write him letter thanking him for his
| goodness"
''No, Joe," said Jared, knitting his
eyebrows q little, 81 wouldn't. if were
you. Letme reportiit to him."
every well, Jared; but I'll go homeain
two weeks for visit, land hope we can
meet then as father and son should
| meet"
Jared went home, and next day he
again trudged out to thessawmill. Gray
was rolling a log into place.
| SsTob,, Torad hao,ov, aTna Sc ~, I,ss
feet again"
.He didn't deserve it, jared" he 10
piled g1umly, picking a cluster of.lichen
from the log.
"And he is coming hometo seeyou in
two weeks"
He saw the old man crush down his
| pleasure and hisAforsin making the in
| credulous response, 'sWe1l see-him when
becomes"
He showed nocuriosityto know'how
thematter had been adjusted, and Jared
left him.
The two weeks bronghtthe evening of
Joe,s arrival. Jarad met him at the lit
tie station and walked with him toward
home. They heard the rasping of the
saw from distance, and as they went
nearer Joe's eagerness to clasp his IA
theirs hand and enter upon closer re-
lation impelled him to startahead.
Jared quickly caught him by the
arm and said: "Joe, I wouldn't-say
anything to him about the money. A
word might ruin my hopes. Just act as
If there had been no trouble"
The father sat upon log, and they
came quite near before he heard them.
He hastily arose. Joe sprang forward,
extended his hand and said:
Gather, I've come back to be a-son
to YOU"
1t had been two years since they met,
and Jared, anxiously watching Gray
now, saw the old hardness come to his
face. But as the father looked upon his
boy he saw manlier look than he had
seen before, and look of regret and
hope as well.
The hardness was driven from Gray's
face, and clasping his sons hand in his
he said, with tears starting, "Joe, Joe,
you're welcome home, and I'm your
fatherI'
| Gray turned quickly and stopped the
saw. Then, hurrying to the end Of the
L IuliI, ucC<tlou lOuuly, 11ObticI! LlOkuorl
His wife soon appeared, hurrying as if
she feared an accident had taken place.
Joe was hiding behind Jared, but the
old father caught him by the arm and
asked joyfully:
"Mother, who is this"
"Joep she cried; "my sonr'
Sand mine, mother; and all forgiven
and forgotten"
They walked toward their little home,
butJared said goodby very strangely, the
three thought, and turned away.
He stopped after taking few steps
and called Joe to him:
"I wouldn't say anything until tomor-
row, my boy" he said in low tones. SIT
might spoil it all. It's glorious that this
has been brought about"
He turned away, and the three, watch
ing him, thought he had never looked
so sad and lonely since he lost Sallie.
Next day Joe and his father went to
town to see Jared. Their rap at his cot
tage brought stranger to the door.
"Jared HarpwickY he replied. "Why,
don't you know that he has sold his
place here and left this morning on the
early train? thought every one knew
it here. But are you John Gray2 Harp
Il l. IL