Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-10-31
THE GOOD FOR NOTHING.

4
Richards main fault Is that he's
Just good for nothing" and JOSIAH
Broadbent tapped the ashes out Of his
pipe in a very desponding way.
II don't believe that, Josiah Ma
Iure does not put such a grand dome
over fine face for nothing Richard
has not had fair trial that's all there
is about il. "
The subject of this conversation sat
at an open window at the other end of
the long parlors, and as the two older
men looked toward him he raised his
eyes from the book in his hand to fol-
low the upward flight Of white winged
flock of pigeons Rational, full, deep
set eyes and a bright, keen face, sur
rounded by soft, light curly hair
Most people would have looked at such
a face in a man with dim doubts and
forebodings His father did Richard
was a stray soul in a stray body in that
plain. matter of fact family. None of
the Broadbents had ever been the least
like him Yeomen. wool staplers, spin
ners and weavers, great hard headed,
hard listed Yorkshiremen. what kin to
them was this bright, clever youth,
who looked like knight just stepped
out of a fairy book2
AT first Richards love of learning
had rather amused his household. Old
Josiah was not averse to seeing his son
carry of all the honoB OF the school,
and when people spoke Of the lads at
tainment and of the promising career
before him he thought, of course, they
meant that Richard would greatly in
crease the business of Broadbent &
Sons. and perhaps in the end get into
parliament
But Richard showed no disposition
for business, and after a year of fruit
less and aggravating efforts to find
something he could do in tie works
the trial had been abandoned His
elder brothers, Stephen and Mark, were
very fond of this lad. who was ten
years younger than either of them, and
whose beauty and bright ways had
been their pride for twenty years In
deed, Richards mother dying at his
birth, these big brothers" had adopted
little Dick" with all their hearts, and
when he complained that the smell and
noise of the works made him Ill, Stephen
had spoken very decidedly TO his father
about forcing the trial further.
There's plenty o brass Z Leeds
bank to keep him, father, an Mark an
| can weil fend for oursels. Let the
lad be. He's none like u.s."
And, Josiah, having also tender
spot in his heart for his youngest son.
had sighed, and then left Richard very
much to his own devices But even
now and then he wanted his grumble
about the lads shlftless, good for moth
ing ways, and this night he had had 1t
to his chief friend, the Rev Samue
Sorley, rector OF his parish.
Mr., Sorley knew Richard better than
either his father or brothers, and he
was glad the subject had been opened
Josiah" he said, gravely, tell
| Stephen and Mark that want Rich
ard for four years You can give him
"a thousand pounds, or not, Just as you
trust me, but at the end of that time |
think I'll prove Richard Broadbent no
| fool"
What wilt thou do wi him, Sam.
ueli Send him to OKford"
Thou must ask no questions, Jo-
siah; III have the lad entirely at my
own disposal"
Then the two men looked toward
! Richard again, but he had left his seat
and was strolling of toward SaurhMn
park. They walked 70 the window
and watched him. and his father lifted
the book he had laid down. and with a
mixture Of contempt and Indignation
threw il aside.
At this moment Stephen Broadbeni
entered the room and said angrily;
Father Dick is oil TO Saurham
wood again. I'm willing enou' 20 lei
Dick play the fool + our house, but
dang me Il he shall neddls i Z
/ sQuiro'sr
What does you mean, StephenT
II mean that our Dick an Miss Sl1ur
ham have gotten some love nonsense
together know H. IN tell thee how
Jim harkness going home from &
works. has seen them meet livery night.
Now, ! ween't have Il.
Father and son were both equally
angry and distressed. but this elreum
stance 10 favored the nectors pruposi
ton that Il was eagerly seconded by
Stephen and was regarded as settled
Then the rector pus himself In Riehands
way aud met him Just at dark outside
SaurhAm park He was a man aeeus
toned 10 look well after his parlShlon