The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-01-11

i breast. his eyes took their far-away
s dreamy look, and the stranger turned
' and went swiftly away. Some weeks
: later there was stir in the county
Z courtroom. The same moon faced
clock licked on the wall; the same
worn oilcloth was on the floor; the
! dingy room still was filled with peo-
, pie investigating the majesty Of the
law.
, Only the Judge was different, for
Judge Gray's picture garnished the
} wall, he himself having been called
; higher and .arraigned before the last
tribunal of death.
1t was beautiful summer day, and
through the open windows foated the
fragrance of roses and hay, while q
bee, drunk with honey from the red
clover fields, buzzed about the dusky
walls
tall, dark stranger came in to have
some deeds fled, and held private
conversation with the judge and the
assessor. Everyone was mildly curious
1 to know who he was, but he soon left
the courtroom and rode in the direc-
ton of Clark's farm.
! He found the old man seated on his
doorstep, the summer breeze tanning
his brow and rufaing his white locks,
while shower of petals from the
dying syringa blooms had powdered
his shoulders like snow.
"Oh! 1t is you, stranger" Clark
said, as the horseman's shadow fell
across his face. stop "a bit and talk"
The man dismounted, and, tying his
horse to the fence, seated himself on
the steps.
"Mr Clark" he said, and he seemed
little nervous, II have q story to tell
you. VIII you listen to me?"
go on, SIR" said the old man.
"Did you know, " said the stranger, 81
was born down in these parts, and
went out west to find fortune. I've
been four years mining in Arizona,
and there l met your son jim"
What" gasped Clark, you saw
Jimr'
''Oh, yes, Jim and / were pardners,"
with a forced laugh. "Jim's married |
down there, and has couple of chill
dren. Nice little kids, one boy named
jesse"
The old man looked stunned, and
only gasped: "You saw Jim!"
The stranger continued. "Jim has
done well, and made his pile, and he
thinks of comm back to see you.
When he knew l was comm he made
me promise to get down here and see
If there was anything you wanted.
i amt heard of father for ten years
Or more, not since mother died. he
said. Find him and get him anything
he wants, no matter what it COSTS
So, you see," went on the man.
avoiding Clark's fixed gaze, which
seemed to read his Utmost thoughts SO
piercing was it, when you told me
how you felt about your farm, and
low much you wanted it back again, l
vent over to Clayton and talked to the
Judge. It's all right, Mr.. Clark. The
people in your house moved out yes
erday, and it's all yours now. You
an go up there as soon as you wish"
Clark sat as If spell-bound. Then he {
ose and looked sternly at the man. ,
How much did you pay ON that |
ar,n?" he asked severely. =
You haven't anything to pay. It's
IL yours" answered the stranger |
vasively. =
II want you to tell me the truth. {
lid you pay any money on that land?'' b
emanded Clark again, with his strong, n
gaze. '
"Well, yes" said his companion. n
But, you don't understand, Mr.. Clark. +
It's present from Jim, your boy Jim. n
urely you won't refuse it?" :.
The old man shook his head. ~
ant do it," he said. "Jane told me n
OF to have any more money put in :,
nat land, and can't do it. You mean II
ell, stranger, but you don't under ID
and" !,
The young mans face worked con- 81
He put out strong young O,
and and grasped Jesse Clark's arm.
Father" he said. gently, as he d,
oked into the old mans face, father, m
on't you know me?" h,
At the sound of title long buried, BIZ
most forgotten in the cruel years of h,
'sence which had stretched between or
lie father and son, Clark raised his dr.
coping head, then: ar
"Jim" he cried, Jim! It's INV bowl or
Y boys come back!" and tears of joy
lied down his furrowed cheeks. av
81
Jim Clark lives in the old homestead tn
the third quarter of the fourth Sec We
IN, northeast A well-worn path pc
ads from the neat farmhouse down an
the little cabin where the syringa of
sh grows The children like to play at
Tn their grandfather, and their mud or,