Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-11-29

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the old man came to no decision
John stayed dOggedly on. When
father and son met on the street
they did not speak aud the breach
was becoming wider and wider.
1t vas now abont the middle oil
December. Samuel Barlow rarely
went out OF doors. lie sat BY the
hearth ID the lonely boarding
house where he was staying toT
hours looking into the fire and
and saying nothing, All efforts
to fAthom his reason for delay in
eiectng the son proved frult'ess.
and still he showed no sign Of re-
lenting.
At last a rumor vas started and
quickly gained general sup
port. a reason was found for the
old mans delay. Rumor slid that
he had formed ths plan OF waiting
until the day betors Christmas or
perhaps uutil Christmas Day it
selT-if srts could be served on
that holiday-and then to have
the sheriff appear and eject john
and his household
This rumor finally IN ita rounds
reached Julia Barlow and by Il g
time it got to her il bore no lon.
ger the appearance Of a rumOr but
purported 10 be the statement of
sn unqaostonable truth. She
was worn out and distressed al.
ready, and when this news came
she begged her husband to wait
no longer but to leave the farm at
once. But he said sternly: "N0,
Julia. I've done nothing wrong
aud shall stsy until the sheriff
comes and puts me out. Aud #
my father chooses to have that
done Christmas Day, or the day
before. that's his concern, not
mine"
The dJy before Christ mas dawn
ed and the entire ncighborbOOd
was in a state of nervousness.
Work was eatlrely suspended.
Men and boys idled about IN the
vicinity OF the Barlow house With
an e&pectaut air. Women staying
at home in The nearest houses look
ed nerv0usly out o. their windows
from time to time. All day long
Samuel Barlow sat looking into
the hre saying nothing.
Then the belief became strong
that the eviction was surely to
take place On Christmas Day.
There was some considerable dis
cusrion as to whether a writ could
legally be served Christmas D'y,
bat the general opinion was that
1t could.
just ~ the dusk Of evening en-
Christmas Eve, John Barlow and
his vile we're sitting before a dy'
ing dre. They were both silent
now; it had been silent hour OF
late. All at once they heard tie
trout door Of the house open and
then cIose. Thsn they heard .
step in the entry. Then came =
knock At the door of the room
where they wece sitting. II WaS
leo late for . neigh boris call. Was
It posslble hat the sheriff was 20
put them oui that night
Julia Barlow pat her head down
In her lap and burst into tearS.
John arose, took tbs lamp in biz
hand for the entry Was dark-snd
opened the door. Els father stood
IN the doorway.
Whnt vas SAID that night no
enc outside of that household
ever knew. Only the chore boy
stealing IN late and passing the
the sitting room door heard a
feeble voice saying again and again;
"ForgiVe a poor old man."
The next day the village doctor
was called to see Julia, who was
not we'll. 10 his hearty, familiar
fathion he made lis way to the
great kitchen where the family
were eating their Christmas din
ner.
"a poor Christmas thls,' be
quietly said to himself. But as be
entered tho room he stopped in ut
ter surprise. John Barlow arose,
took him by the h md, and pointed
to the table. doctor" he SAID
"my her.'-Trenton Trae Amerl-
can.
Jones-This chicken is fourteen
years old.
A