The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-01-11

over his keen face. When the old man
ended with his pitiful cry for ''justicel
justice!" his nearer said. and. there
seemed a dimness about his dark eyes:
mr.. Clark. you must let me look
into this matter for you. Have you
no relatives who can help you?"
mo" said Clark, slowly. They're
all dead and gone, Jim ain'tnever come
home, and | reckon he must be dead,
too l amt never heard word from
him since he run away. l set store
by Jim. He wouldn't a let his old dad
be turned out"
The old mans head sunk on his
breast, his eyes took their far-away,
dreamy look, and the stranger turned
and went swiftly away. Some weeks
later there was a stir in the county
courtroom. The same moon-faced
clock licked on the wall; the same
worn oilcloth was on the floor; the
dingy room still was filed 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 a beautiful summer day, and
through the open windows floated the
fragrance of roses and hay, while a
bee, drunk with honey from the red
| clover fields, buzzed about the dusky
walls.
A tall, dark stranger came in to have
some deeds filed, and held private
conversation with the judge and the
! assessor. Everyone was mildly curious
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 ruffiing his white locks,
while a shower of petals from the
dying syringa blooms had powdered
his shoulders like snow.
"Oh! 1t is you, stranger" Clark
! said, as the horscman'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.
MIR. Clark he said, and he seemed
a little nervous, 81 have 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
been four years mining in Arizona,
and there met your son Jim"
What" gasped Clark, you saw
Jim!''
''Oh, yes, Jim and | we're pardners,"
with forced laugh. "Jim's married
down there, and has a 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.
4 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
how much you wanted it back again.
went over to Clayton and talked to the
judge. It's all right, Mr.. Clark. The
people in your house moved out yes
terday, and it's all yours now. You
can go up there as soon as you wish"
Clark sat as if spell-bound. Then he
rose and looked sternly at the man.
'How much did you pay on that
farm?" ne asked severely.
You haven't anything to pay. It's
all yours" answered the stranger
evasively.
II want you to tell me the truth.
Did you pay any money on that land?'
demanded Clark again, with his strong,
compelling gaze.
''Well, yes" said his companion.
But, you don't understand, Mr.. Clark.
It's present from Jim, your boy Jim.
Surely you won't refuse it?"
The old man shook his head. az
can't do it," he said. Jane told me
not to have any more money put in
that land, and l can't do it. You mean
well, stranger, but you don't under
stand"
The young mans face worked con-
He put out strong young
hand and grasped Jesse Clarl1's arm.
Father" he said, gently, as he
looked into the old mans face, father,
don't you know me?"
At the sound of title long buried, |
almost forgotten in the cruel years of |
absence which had stretched between
the father and son, Clark raised his
dropping head, then:
"Jim!" he cried, Jim. It's INV boy!
My boys come back!' and tears of Joy
rolled down his furrowed cheeks
Jim Clark lives in the old homestead
IN the third quarter of the fourth Sec
ton, northeast A well-worn path
eads from the neat farmhouse down
20 the little cabin where the syringa
bush grows. The children like to play
with their grandfather, and their mud
pies seem to them especially good
when made in front of the little vine
covered cabin where old Mr.. Clark
ives.
Jim and his wife are thoughtful of
he old mans comfort. and Jim often
lrges him to come and live at the farm
do come and live with US, father"
lie says. The farm was yours any