The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-31

20 discover the right solution Suduchls Iiie
truth burst upon him. The place was IN heea
of mistress, not corkscrew-curleo oiu ni'iu
or q faded widow but some cheerful young
woman TO introduce practical modern IDEAS
and infuse some spirit and life into the quiet
old place. 4,
There could be no mistake. Strange it had
been so long in occurring TO him.
But now. that it had at last occurred to HIM,
he decided 10 act az once.
No one would have guessed the Judge TO oe
mast co. so well did his round, ford face ana
carefullv-sdiusted wig conceal his real age.
lie ala not look old. and he gazed with
much satisfaction ut his well -prescrved limbs
sind nortly form. but 63 was getting well along
and would not brook much longer delay.
Ills first act after coming to his new decision
was TO call James, his trusted oid servant anc
order his carriage brought around. Then he
went leisurely TO his room and made careful
toilet
When he stepped into his carriage half
hour later. James thought he had never
seen the Judge looking SO handsome and well:
"Shsll drive for you, judge" he asked
respectfully. or
mo. thank you, James," he answered, L
will ride alone this time.
Then taking the reins IN his own heatiy
eloved hands he drove down the avense OF
maples and took a road leading farther into
James watched the Judge out of sight. then
returned to his duties at the stable, saying TO
himself:
Something's ND with the Judge. l can al
ways tell when his eyes look That way mayue
he's heard some news of that wild boy oil his
ont West. But pshaw reckon he's been
killed by the Indians long ago. and II 1t was
ANYTHING about him, the Judge would nave
gone towards town, TO telegraph or something
Judce Carpenter was the wealthiest man IN
the neighborhood. or the whole County, Tor
that matter. A kindly-natured, genial man.
he was well respected and liked by all hls
neighboTs. -
He was a widower, his wife having died
nearly seventeen wears ago. She had left only
one child. a dark-eyed, impulsire little fellow
of seven. who was the apple OF his fathers eye.
Immediately after his great bereavement,
Miss Dolly Stiles maiden sister oil the de-
ceased wife, had come TO care for little Joe and
act as housekeeper
Miss Dolly was a gentle. sweet-tempercd
bodv. and would. no doubt, have made a model
bow out of her nephew. But the Judge over
INDUCED and spoiled little Joe 10 such an ex-
tent that his auHt's corrections and disclplin-
ines, always kindly in their nature, counted Tor
naught.
Still, impulsive and Maynard as the boy was
no one was able TO influence him quite SO
greatly as Aunt Dolly.
Joe l0NeG her as IL huc were HIS oNu ihobHS1i
and several of the neghbors declared that
Judge Carpenter ought to have married bis
sister-in Law. believing had he done SO the boy
would have turned out better.
When Joe WAS 16 he was sent OF TO high
school, and Dolly Stiles went back to her old
home.
When he spent his vacations at home it was
remarked how reckless he was growing, de-
priyed of Miss Dclly's gentle influence.
Too ron,afuel ftxo wears al high school. then
the Judge sent him away 10 college. The first
wear the professor reported that he was very
studious but he fell in with some wild asso-
ciales became indifferent about his studies, and
at last disobeyed the rules of the college, and
was expelled.
He came home and the Judge debated the
subject Of making his boy take up farming, as
an occupation TO tone him down. But Joe
soon fell out with blowing and before he was
81 he ran away from home.
The Judge tried hard to recover bis boy. He
followed him as far as Denver, where he lost all
trace Of he runaway. lie employed two good
detectives to continue the search, then returned
home But nothing could be heard from Joe,
and il became the belief around his old home
that he must lie dead.
1t was near sunset when Judge Carpenter
stopped bis carriage before neat little farm
house, embowered in trees, on the side Of a
gentle hill
A lovely girl of about 20, with hazel eyes and
rosy cheeks, came singing down the path. She
stopped suddenly on meeting The Judge, and
she colored up with pretty confusion.
GOOD evening, Mr.. Carpenter" she stam-
mered; q" didn't see you"
GOOD evening, Miss Alma" returned the
Judge, taking her plump little hand and hold
ing il longer than seemed at all necessary.
You had started some placer"
only after the cows" she laughed, recover
ing herself
and deserve better fate than the hard life
which is yours" said the Judge kindly and
seriously.
Thank you, Mr.. Carpenter You will find
father enjoying his evening pipe in the gar
den" and she tripped away 10 the meadow,
leaving the Judge to find his old friend.
Alma Hcrrick's father and Judge Carpen-
ter had been comrades in the late war They
had formed friendship in camp which had
strengened with their years. Both men were
widowers, each having but one child. Bat
while Carpenter had been successful IN accu-
mulating riches, Amos Herrick had seemed 10
90 behind, and had il not been for the timely
help of his friend be could not have retained
the pleasant little farmhouse where he and
Alma lived.
Judge Carpenter found Amos Herrick smok-
ing as he paced up and down the broad paths
Of the well-kep; garden.
q was just thinking Of you. Joseph" said
Herrick, after their first greetings had been
exchanged.
Speak Of the. You know the old say
ing. Amos, laughed the Judge.
Yes" said Herrick but he did not Join In
the laugh. be appeared to be troubled.
Come what's worrying your" asked the
Judge playiully.
- ] was thinking about that money owe
you. My crops are almost total failures this
year, aud it was my greatest hope TO make a
good payment this Summer, but don't see for
my lie how I'm going TO 60 il, Joseph" and his
head dropped dejeetedly.
" Don't let that worry you old boy. have
proposition TO offer by which you NAV cancel
that debt, which you will harp on so much. and
al the same time make me very happy" said
the Judge earnestly.
Name it," cried Herrck. "a If have tho
power to do it, you may depend III perform il
cheeriully."
e II is the greatest gift one man can ask O
another. Your daughter. Amos"
Alma! my child7~ don't understand you
Joseph"
" ask her in marriage, xplaincd the Judge
Twill you give her 10 me, hmos?"
give her TO you, Joseph!" repeated Her
rick, rs If he could not fully realize what hi
friend had asked.
" know you are surprised" said the Judge
and j would no doubt have been surprised
myself had anyone suggested such a thing {,
me yesterday; but sitting alone TO day realized
my need Of some bright young presence 10 chez
my life and home. Immediately thought 0
A ms he f.,o all ,t.a, IL 1,