Passaic City record., 1892-12-31

as sweet as a pink, but, mother, We've
got nothing. And then folks remem-
ber--well, you know, father often
times"
The woman at the hearth listens with
a quivering chin.
.sI'm not saying word against him,
mother"
s.Don't you, Eddlei'
81 amt, mother" !"
ssBecause Eddie, he had his faults,
but he was rale good hearted when he
was himself.v The son set his lips.
.sAnd since he went off I've often
studied that maybe wasn't as patient
as / ought to been. | wake up nights
and get to studying over us being conf
terblc--you with good place in the
store and Lizzie going to marry we'll
when maybe he's out roof to his head
It has been three years since he left
reckon he's aged heap"
There was high wind rioting out
side, muttering contempt upon the low
roofs of the village and communing in
sharper notes with the stripped tee tops.
1t had an almost human accent, varying
from a wild cry to the confused MUIR
muring of feverish tongue. The sounds
of it have strange significance to the
woman's words. Eds face took SOM
bre cast.
His fathers figure recurred to him,
clothed for the once in some thin shroud
of sentiment. Practically reviewed, it
was the figure of man who, in desert
ing his family, had conferred on it q
deep and lasting good. A tall man, as
his son remembered him, with a rollick-
ing air in his long gray mustaches, a
disreputablc uncertainty in the texture Of
his slouched hat, and varying thick
ness in his voice.
His son recalled the night of the old
mans departure. There had been q
stormy scene. Unable to wiring tribute
from his wife's empty purse. the master
OF the house had strongly expressed q
lack of satisfaction in his family ties.
He had swung himself over the thres-
hold, declaring an intention OF leaving
forever d family so unworthy a fathers
devotion. The family itself believed
the calm which followed his going would
be as feeting as the odor of rye which
hung upon his menace. But as days
heightened and no stumbling foot
sounded after night upon the door step,
it began to seem as if the old mans
threat had not been merely tactical de-
vice.
The human growths hc has tramped on
began to lift themselves, daring to
freshen in the sunshine. But they never
put into overshape the satisfaction which
enlivcned them.
Maybe if I'd been different to what
I was-more stern-like and pushing
your father wouldn't ever hev give way
to drink" breathed Mrs. Hicks, staring
into the fire.
No one could have been any kinder
than you was, mother"
~ was rale short to him the night he
went, Ed. You said some things, too.
that---oh, dearl amt resignated to
think maybe he's cold and hungryl
Ed pocketed his hands with sudden
sense of gloom.
1t was not a pleasant fancy. He hated
to think even strangers dog might be
abroad on night when black skies
housed howling wind and barren trees
wrung their empty hands to the stress
Of 1t.
In spite of himself he seemed to see
leaning old shape buffeted by that raw
sweep, its gray beard mocked by bleak
gusts. The cheer of the rag-carpeted
kitchen was like q bright stretch upon
which series of dark pictures camo and
went - .ctures always Of the same aged
6gure, bent with burden of shameful
years. 1t stretched out feeble hands,
begging bread of hard-faced farer in
city way. It crouched for shelter in
some noisome door. It looked from
prison bars, it slept in hedges, always
with the peculiar pathos upon it Of sins
long past and bitterly atoned.
Lizzie's soft laugh rang out IN the
hall. There was a whispering. She
was bidding her lover good night.
Ed sat WITH nlS mead IN his hands.
His mother stared into the fire with
gray face
ssWill's going to eat Sundays dinner
with u.s." cried Lizzie, bursting into
the room. .Why-why, what's the
matter with you two2'
..We just happened to get talking
about father. / wish knew where he
isl explained Ell, striking away the
sombre panorama from his dlsliking
eyes.
But somehow the voiceless actor in
these dramas of woe had peculiar
insistence. He was not to be banished.
Measuring muslins in the store next
day Ed Hicks was constantly sensible
of a miserable presence, which went
through the piteous enactment OF the
night before
ssPerhaps he's dead = surmised the
young man. dead --huddled under
the clods Of a pauper's grave" The
idea, carrying weight Of compunction,
ringed new glory round old Hick'
lrc- sgT m;oh RI tho Lord hoAryt