The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-20
Two DEBTS.

i ID OGO DS
When Ashbel Dean died and his earthly
debts and credits were looked into, 1t was
discovered that the credit page was nearly
as spotless as the sheet that covered Ash
bells still form, while mortgages for the full
value of the farm were recorded on the
other side.
Ashhel had been considered forehanded.
His neighbors said he ''Speculated West,
and were astonished when his death revealed
the fact that he had sacrificed all in an en-
deavor to save some shTeds Of his financial
reputation
None were more surprised than his own
family. This included the widow and
Amanda and Israel. twins, 20 years old.
They were quite crushed. They shrank
from it as from the presence OF death-the
first one in the family. For days they dared
not speak of IT, but II was always in their
thoughts. AT length the widow reused her
energies and summoned her two children
1--WE can save the farm" she said.
"Mandy, YOU can keep the district school;
Israel and ! Will carry on the farm. We
must all stand together now"
For 20 wears they were possessed OF mat
one thought, urged BY that one motiVe-to
pay the debt
They stood together 20 years. and at the
end of that time they owed no man any
thing The mother looked scarcely day
older Tie work of directing had kept her
faculties fresh and vigorous. But son and
daughter had passed from anIlclpative youth
into dulled middle age. The deDt unscru-
pulous and avaFici0us. had left them no en-
joymeut. il had robbed Them OF lie most
desirable part.
When Amanda was % she was called
pretty Gatherings had been incomplete
without her. After that she never attended
al other. The attentions OF young men
Were refused. Now she had become thin
and salloW. She knew she could hope for
no return Of loves pleasures. If thought
of marriage crowded itself upon her she
shook it off as unwelc0me. She could give
up her school now and devote her time to
her home-to her mother and brother.
And Israel was free. BE took long
breath and stood up straight, easing his
CALLED shoulders of the burden they had just
cast Of. Life suddenly looked pleasant TO
him. He would make some needed I'M
movements on the place. The house should
have coat of paint. lie stood IN the sun
shine. and looking up through the June
foliage Of the NAPLES, thought the seedpOds
looked ike the legs OF so many elm paint
ers dangling there painting the sky. Then
he laughed at himself, and SAID that lie
must be getting young ana risky.
When he was 20 lie had intended to mar
~. Now, at 40, he thought of it again.
When he ceased his visits to Harriet Dow
ner, she had understood his reason for do
ing So She hud had no company since
then, he told himself, and his heart gave a
great bound at the thought Why should
he not?
One day he came to his mother and sister
and said bluntly:
81 am going to marry Harriet Downer."
There was silence for moment, then his
mother said coldly:
I'VE know II"
BY the tone and attitude Israel under
stood that his mother and sister would not
welcome the woman he meant to marry.
he understood that they thought the tie of
20 years TO be as binding as that OF we'd
lock, and did not wish it broken.
Only once after that Israel spoke Of his
marriage.
y am to marry Harriet tomorrow, Shall
you be theTe?'
Ne" his mother answered.
But Israel would keep his vow to Harriet.
The 20 years struggle had cultivated in him
the logged resolution he had inherited from
MS mother.
He married Harriet and after a week
brought her home. But no ore appeared TO
welcome him.
"Motherw he called as he went through
the house.
In two remote rooms he found his mother
and sister.
"Harrie; is out here" he said.
Aud We are here; We shall stay here"
said his mother.
Israel looked about daZed. He remem-
beTed afteTwaTd that he saw stove, with
pots ana pans ana dishes, and in the Other
room bed, table and chairs. The two
women had made all preparations for living
by themselves.
And this was the brides home-comingl
Yet the married pair lived happy life to-
getber Israel felt keenly the miserable
life his wife must endure, and strOve to al
leVlate IL by every kindly atten ton in his
power, and she understood his motive and
resolutely bid all traces Of pain. Life for
eacn was as the other made 1t.
There was Dc communication between the
two parts of the house. and no messages
passed. and no visits were exchanged.
Thus for two years; then a baby was
born. One day Harriet said to Israel:
Take tile baby md 90 to your mother"
He understood, and taking the child in
his arms, went and knocked at the door.
who is it?" his mothers voice asked
Your son aud grandson" he replied.
There was slight pause, and then
Amanda said:
1--WE are too busy to see you"
be returned aud laid the baby on his
wife. She did not need to question him by
word or eye.
Two years more went by. One morning
Israel called his wife to come down into tile
garden. He had some vegetable wonder to
show her.
But can't take the baby out In the
dew" she objected.
Leave him where lie Is. He'll do no
harm for five minutes"
Then tOddle, toddle away-the little feet
knew the path that was forbidden them
straight on through the unused passage way
to the door at the end. He pushed and
shuffird against it in babyish way.
What's that queer noise at the door
Mandy" asked Mrs. Dean.
sounds like dog" said Amanda,
But When the door opened in tottered a
baby, triumphant, happy, eager. Every
line oil MS baby face, every curl, had been
craven On the widows heart for forty years
and Ii suddenly opened to show her the like.
ness.
TITS Israel over againv' she cried.
In moment she was ON the floor raress-
Ing the little one.
Blighted Amanda leaned on her broom.
looking at this strange happening. And
Israel and Harriet, fastening after the
child. stood in the doorway Witnessing the
hrst step In reconciliation.
Come to mamma. Israel" said Harriet
10 the child
he looked laughingly at her over his
grandmother's shoulder.
Tom to mamma" he repeated. taking a
steD and pulling al the widows fnpar.
The widow hesitated but moment he
tween mothers love and hard. selfish pride.
Will, she said firmly. "And. Mandy.
puL down your broom and come too"
Iben. lea by the little truant she came
toward Israel and Harriet.
my childreni" she cried.
-
FROM One Pocket Into the Other.