Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-01-30
HIS FATHERS son,

ooh, I've nothing against the lad !"
said Mr.. Henfeld. II dare say he's
good enough in his way. But 1 don't
like the stock he comes from. In a
place like this, YOU know; it won't do
to risk anything."
Roderick Keller, standing in the lit
tie telegraph office on the mountain
plateau could hear plainly the words his
principal spoke. The rocky side of the
cliff acted as a complete sounding board,
and the color vanished out of his cheeks
as the unWelcome utterances reached his
ear.
He was tall, pale young fellow, of
two or Internationally, not handsome,
but nevertheless pleasant to look upon,
voice, he braced himself, as in court
of justice the prisoner sometimes braces
himself TO receive the sentence.
~ suppose it isn't exactly an honor
able thing for me to be eavesdropping
here he said to himself, ''but don't
know that honor has any particular con-
} nection with the race Of Keller. At any
rate, it means life or death to me, so
r here goes"
Rodcric}1 Keller was the telegraph
operator at Hornet Station, on Hornet
Mountain. Matthew Hcnfeld was the
local superintendent, and John Jaycox,
the rounI-shouldered little man now
walking at his side, was the general fac
totum at that solitary spot.
From his vantage point above, Rode
rick could see them slowly ascending
the steep and sinuous path.
A brief silence succeeded the superin-
tcndent's remark
''Hump"" commented Jaycox. "The
question IS, is it risk? So far as [
know, the young man has always done
his duty"
Il thought Jaycox would stand my
friend, " muttered Keller.
''In our affairs" epigrammatically
spoke Eentie,d, 'severything that is not
a certainty is a risk. That booty old
fagman whom [ have just discharged-"
Its come to that, has it?' thought
Keller. with a red spot burning into his
cheek-bone.
''Oh, yes, I Inow!" acknowledged
Jaycox. But the father and son are
quite different.
Il hope SO, I'm sure, said Hentield.
t'But you know the old saying about
what is bred in the bone"
Il don't think there's anything in
that, said JaycoX. ''But Of course it's
for YOU 10 decide Who would you like
to put in his place."
C'So I'm shelved!" muttered Keller,
sayagely gnawing his black moustache.
1.-TWO wears of hard work and steady
behavior are to 90 for nothing; and all
because I am my fathers SONY
Another brief silence cnsucd.
'lIactv Minton IS good hand, ism t
she, observed the elder man. put her
here. Ct Mrs. Dikeman take Miss Min
tons place"
And what am to tell Kelfer?"
"Nothing. We are not bound to argue
the question with our employees" said
the comNany's representative. Hes to
T gO--that,s sufficient, ism / it?'
ROdeTiuk Keller went back into the
station. He could no longer hear their
voices, bat lie could see Henfield turn in
the direction of the nearest station, while
Jaycox continued his slow way up the
ascent.
He sat and stared at the shining keys,
at the maps and timetables hanging on
the walls, at the uneven board floor.
OF all rank injustice, this seemed to
him the rankest. What had he done TIC
deserve this? In the days of the Old
Testament it was a common thing fol-
the sins of the fathers to be visited on
the children; but he had imagined him.
. self to De living under a new dispense
8 ton, in which right and justice were
Il supposed u play some part. He was tc
lNRe dismissed. What was to become O.
Il his mother? And Matte Mnton-tht
girl he loved and had hoped one day t
7 narry-she was to be put in his place!