The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-08-20

temper ana mine. But Will make IN
end of it, soon." ~
"What do you mean, Robert?" 4
'Tom and are going away, mother"
"You father means you to study law
and medicine at home" she gasped.
II know; but, mother, if we stay there
will be an open rupture. Father takes
every difference of character or opinion
as a personal insult. We are not rs
patient as you. Let us 60 to California
and shift for ourselves. We are no
longer children, we are men,"
1T will be better in the end" pleaded
Tom. HE will love us better out of
sight"
'How will you break It to him?"
sobbed Alice. 1T will kill him to think
that his temper has driven you from
him."
HE need never know It," said Bob.
Il will only show him the business side
of the matter" He went out to flud
his father.
But Edward guessed the truth. An
hour later his wife found him sitting
alone. His features were drawn and
sharpened as by sudden age.
"Alice," he said, "the boys want to
leave US. feel that they are alienated
from-me. fear that I have been too
stern with them" She did not answer.
"You think I have been too stern?"
mo, Edward" Alice could hold her
peace for a lifetime; but if forced to
speak she would not bridge the gulf
~
stern, but exacting and fretful."
He was silent, never having received
such blow. ITO you?" he said. in q
low voice. "You have found it hard to
bear?'
"Sometimes, my husband" She went
up to him and put her arms about him:
but he gently pushed her aside.
~ would rather be alone. exactirg
and fretful!"
He had always felt that he was deal
ing love as largesse about him, receiv-
ing poor return; and he had been the
suspicious, unreasonable tyrant, max
ing home intolerable! He had never
seen this face in the mirror before, but
he knew it was his own.
"Ask the boys to defer their prepare
tions," he said to his wife. 81 will talk
it over with them when I can think
clearly"
But they never talked it over.
Mr.. Moxon had been tempted to in
vest heavily in mining speculation.
The news of it's failure came to him that
day. He read the telegram aloud aud
laid it down.
"Are you deeply involved in II, Ed
ward" his wife asked.
eyes. If this be true we shall lose
neutrality-suspicious. land and house. I
ON an old man to begin the world
again."
"Why, father!" Bob sprang from his
chair and ran to him. ''Well begin it
together; you and Tom and I. Three
boys! Well 60 to California and start
afresh."
Tom had his arm about the other
shoulder. Edward looked up at them
ond at his wife who was kneeling at his
feet. He laughed, but the tears came.
"Please God, it may not be as bad as
we think; but if it is, boys, I'm ready"
It was even worse than they thought.
When the business was settled there
was bare pittance left, hardly enough
to take the family to California.
But through these dreary days It was
noticeable that not word of complaint
came from Ned Moxon's lips. The man
in him rose to face this real disaster. He
was hearty, cheerful, courageous.
Every day he came to Alice to tell her Of
some new proof Of kindness from his
friends, who crowded about him in this
dark hour. {.
"But it is the boys who will carry M
through" he said, with triumph. '"They
stand by me shoulder to shoulder. They
have heads for business such as I never
had, Alice"
The Moxons, father and sons, have
had hard fight for success in Califor-
MIA. For years they marched together
over bare space in life, facing poverty
and even want. Edward Moxon knew
that it was his own folly which had
brought his wife and children into these
straits, and he worked with desperate
energy to protect them from hardships.
All the strength and tenderness Of his
character came out; the aggrieved
whine never was now heard in his voice.
II WONDER" said Rob one day to his
mother, show I ever could have thought
father ill-tempered. He bears the worst
troubles with such large, calm good
humor."
That evening Rosa, putting her sugar
in her tea, balanced the tonges on her
fingers. Light weight, mamma!
Where did they come from?"
Her father frowned. ''They came
from q man," he said, "who in the time
Of my trouble offered to back me With
money to any amount If you notes
every disagreeable trife, Rosa, you VIII
make life burden"
Then Alice felt that her husbands
cure was complete.
But there are 20 many Ned Moxons In
the world! So many wives and children
are crushed under their many virtues
and their single fault!
Ii there no cure for them but bank
ruptcy or ath?-The Independent.
A Puzzled Thought.