The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-20

performed duty, he felt that he had but
suffered his imagination to guide him, and
| that, in consequence, he had committed an
| act of folly OF course he would be laughed
at for man of weak and variable mind.
He told himself that he deserved TO be.
He crept into the NOW and threw him
self at full length on the new hay. His
| blood was in ferment. Drops of sweat
stood out on his forehead like beads.
Its well | come t my senses afore
| me- 1dled Wi him-mis' able critter t could
never learn the worth # a dollarP'
| Down by the pond the geese gabbled; a
hen with her brood perched about the open
door: swallows twittered in their nests un-
der the caves, but Silas was too deep in
troubled thought TO heed the familiar
| sounds.
The sun climbed higher and poured his
beams from midheaven. A ray of sun
| light streamed in through a chink in the
gable and stretched across the hay at his
feet. There his eye caught it, and follow
ing it, his thoughts took turn.
Upward, upward, past the roof barrier,
past the sun itself, they reached forth to-
ward the Infinite.
Light that was not OF the sun broke
upon his soul and irradiated his face.
He clambered down and went to tns
house. Outside were the two girls making
the acquaintance of Tige, the house dog.
Girls, come N give y'ur ugly oil uncle
kiss"
One glance into the eyes beaming in real
kindness upon them, and they bounded
into his arms.
"Well, never! This mornin hadn't q
chill, N now I've got a pair O girls s. big n
strong they're Ii bic t hug tn breath out
O mel"
Silas found his wife busy with prepare
tons for dinner She came and laid a
hand on his arm, smiling through tears.
I'm so glad y'u've done what's right by
Johns chil'ren," she said.
''TuUP' said Slas, Its no credit I'd
ought t. done it long ago. Git ready big
chair n some quilts. After dinner Pm
going t. fetch y'ur brother j ohn himself"
ooh, Sile, d. y'u think you can? He
didn't use you right, l allow"
Il amt goin' t. think whether l can or
not. Pm a-goin after himP'
1t was with a feeling akin to remorse
that Silas, accompanied by Jake, the farm
hand, drew rein before cluster of build
ings Of cherries aspect, and looked about
for a convenient hitching place.
Against the only post available for that
purpose, a strange creature, a combination
of old man and beardless boy, sat mum
bling over a half devOured turnip and leer-
ing at them from under frayed hat brim.
Deliver ME from the poorhouse, if that's
what it doesp' said Jake, with JUNCTION.
Comm to It wouldn't make y'u mr. me
an idiot like that fellow" said Silas.
at would make us like that though"
Jake pointed as he spoke to man seated
under a shed attached to one of the build
ings. The man, who was dressed in a suit
of faded denims, was so thin in flesh as to
appear literally but skin and bones. He
sat, or rather leaned back, as if too weak
to hold himself upright, in rickety, high
backed chair. His thin hands moved
slowly, trennblingly back and forth. He
was sewing carpet rags from basket by
his side.
Silas got out of the wagon, and going
straight up to the man, held out his hand
John, how d. do"
A quick flush overswept the mans leaden
face
Pm only tolerable," said he, taking no
notice of the extended hand.
'Pve come to as y'o t. drop tn difficulty
between US out O. y'ur mind, m I'll drop
it out o. NINE" said Silas, battling with
lump in his throat.
The mans face softened somewhat.
after ALL" said he, ''in the start was
most to blame"
can Pve been mos t. blame ever since
humbly ask y'ur pardon for all I've dOnk
t. y'u 'at was mean N ugly"
As Silas said this he again held out his
hand. The cOnsumptive caught it to his
bosom. 4 cOnvulsiye tremOr shook his
frame. Tears were coursing down his
wasted cheeks, but Silas appeared not to
see them. Very likely he did not, for his
own eyes were ready to overflow.
"Now, john, d y'u see that big chairi
Sarah's expectin y'u t supper"
Sarah is expecting me-to supper?"
Eyes, N breakfast N dinner n supper
tomorrow. Pm goin t. take y'u way from
here for goodp'
They got him into the wagon and took
him home.
Cant we manage to tthe girls know?"
John asked while they were on the way:
they'll be so glad to hear I've got away
from that place"
The reply of Silas was assuring, though
noncommttal.
They're goin to know bout it, said he.
When they came in sight of the house
Mrs. Marvin, who had been for an hour on
the lookout, called her nieces.
Your uncle m Jake are back. Who's
that in the chair behind!"
1T looks like-oh. can it be? 1t is, it
surely is, papap
Then all three ran out to give welcome;
the girls TO a father whom want and sick
ness had driven to the poorhouse; the
woman to a brother from whom she had
long been separated through a quarrel IN
which she had no part.
''Silas kept the best for the last" said
John, as his children led him to the house,
one by each hand. May he nevT regret
what he has done"
He'll regret nothin," that individual
said, as he walked after his wife, carrying
the wraps, but that he didn't know tn
blessedness O. forgivin n being forgiven
many long day ago."-Adeline +. Story
in Boston True Flag
The Ears of Criminals.
Large fiat ears standing out prominent
" from the head are strongly character