The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-02-05

| can't a1oiu play IoASs AoA AtJ ooN
dren."
~You can better afford to keep an
extra horse than to nave your SOL
! leave YOU, Eli. Whom could you gel
that would take the interest In tne
work that George has? You have
thought it only right that George
should do a big share toward running
the farm, and have considered YOU
duty done in giving him home. Ior
are disposed 70 think him ungratetu
because he wants to leave you now thai
every year makes his services more
valuable. But the boy is ambitious
and is not satisfied to travel in circle
He wants to make some headWay, ane
it's only natural"
The farmer leaned his head on hi,
hand, a look of deep thought on hi:
|! grave, weather face. His gentle
sister-in-law's plain speaking had given
rise to thoughts which had never befor'
entered his head.
81 believe you are more that hall
| rinht Hester" he said at last. "Il
think it all over tonight, and make up
my mind what to do. I'd be lost here
without George, and he shan't leave
The farm if can help it."
"Force won't keep him, Eli; remem
Der that" and Mrs. Lucas, feeling that
she had said enough, folded up her
work, and taking up a lamp from a
shelf by the stove, went upstairs to
her own room.
Just at daybreak she was aroused
from sound sleep by the sound OF
horses hoofs in the yard, and looking
out Of the window she saw Eli trottins
away on Roam.
Where can he be going at this hour@'
When she came down stairs at 6 O'Clock
George was standing by the kitchen
table, having just come in with two
pals of milk. His face wore discon-
tented, unhappy look, and he merely
nodded in return for his aunt's cherr!
:Good morning"
A few minutes later his father en-
tered, but George who had gone to one
of the windows and was looking out
deiectedly, did not even glance up.
"You were out early, Eli" said Mrs
Lucas, 81 heard you ride away at day
break"
eyes, I went u Pine Ridge on 2
natter of business"
THAT'S where you sold Vixen. papa
isn't 80" asked little Harry, and Mrs
Lucas saw culver pass over Georges
face as the child spoke.
eyes, my boy, I sold Vixen to a Law
ger Stanley. George" turning to bis
son, "I've made up my mind to part
! with that fifty acre lot by the river
What do you think of that?"
"Of course you are to get gooo
price for it sir" said the young man
indiferently, "It's the best piece oflanf
you have" ..ss<-.-----.------z--,-.----, -
"But haven't sold it. l am going
to give it away"
| "Give it away" repeated George,
reused out of his indifference and star.
ing at his father as if he thought hi
had not heard Alright.
ayes, decided il, every inch Of it, to
some one think great deal of, and
who deserves it," laying his hand on
his sons shoulder, and his voice weak
ened little. "I'm going to give it to my
son, George Hardwood, to have and te
hold as he sees fit, without question O
advice"
"To me! You intend to give thar
fifty acres to me, fathers"
eyes, my boy, and with my whols
heart. You've been good son.
George, and I only wish were able tc
do more for you. But I am not rich
man, as you know, and I have your
mother and three little ones to provide
for, too. Still I want you to have a
start, and this fifty acre lot will yield
you handsome profit. You can have
three days week, to call your OWL
; AMI that will give you a chance tc
work, and if you choose to break that
pain Of young oxen I bought the other
day from Bagley, you can have them
for your trouble"
"rhis-tnis seems too much, SIR
stamlnered George; u don't know how
/ to thank you"
"Too muchl Then I don't know
! w,;at you'll say to this" and the farm
er took his son by the arm and led him
out on the porch. "There's another
present for you, my boy"
"Vixen!" The word came from
Georges lips with a long sigh of JOY,
and with one bound he was at the side
of the black mare he had thought never
to see again, and had both arms about
her neck. "Oh, father, I'd rather have
Vixen than anything else in this world"
And he buried his face in the pretty
creatures name, and in spite of his
eighteen years, fairly broke down and
; sobbed.
That ended Georges desire to leave
the farm. He was never again heard
to mention the subject, and he grGil-
bed no more about hard work and the
monotony of his life, but in every Way
tried to show his appreciation CT MS
fathers kindness. In fact, Eli Rar-
wood was wont to say occasionally in
confidence to his wife that be had reason
to bless his sister-in-law for good ad-,
vice and that he owed it to her that he
had stalwart arm to lean on in ad'
Yaneing years.
But George never knew to what he
owed the change in his fortune
Standard.
Bertye Is EIl tplsnC.
lIcS