The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-01-07

well, dad" said John, as he stood
in the open door, 'T hope it'll be a
good many years, but we'll see what
Julia says"
John Barlow's home was not es-
pecially attractive on the outside but
when you crossed the threshold you en-
tered at once into an atmosphere OF
domestic warmth and happiness.
Where Julia Barlow was every one felt
at home.
1t was new world to the old man,
who had lived alone for SO long, to
meet his aughter-in-law again, to
have the three little ones nestle shyly
about him.
Dinner was over, the children had
left for scnGal. and then it did not take
long to get at J,,lia's feelings as to the
new proposition.
Julia" said her husband, as they
sat down together in tn sunny, bright
little sitting room, 'fatl.sr has plan
to propose to us. / suppose you'll
want to take some time to think it
over, but I'll tell you now what it is.
Father wants us to go home and look
after the place and take care of him
and he to give us the farm. I'll do
just as you say"
Julia Barlow sat for a moment look
ing straight before her and saying
nothing. Then she went hastily to
the sofa where the old man was and
sitting down beside him she placed
her hands on his shoulders.
''Do you want us to Gomez" she
said.
eyes, my child" said the old man.
Within ten days John Barlow had
sold his store and moved his house
hold goods to the farm. With the
children running about and shouting
in their play the old house took on n
new aspect and became full of life and
warmth again. All the old neighbors
were hearty In their congratulations
to the old man on the change, aud he
himself seemed to have entered on a
new life.
Only one man gave utterauce to
fcrebodings and that was old Lawyer
David Evans, who drew the deed and
bill of sale by which Samuel Barlow
conveyed his farm and stock, his fur
niture and tools to John Barlow in
consideration of one dollar, on condi-
ton of support for life
After the deed had been signed and
delivered the old lawyer went home to
his wife with heavy healt s;Remem-
Der what I say, Elizabeth. 1 know
those men. They are both good men,
but out of that deed there'Il be trou-
ble."
But at the farm all went we'll. John
began with a vigor to take hold of af-
fairs that astanished his friends and
acquaintance! He seemed to be in
his element again. More work was
secured for the mill and a second man
employed. The blacksmith shop,
which for some time had been unused,
was put to rights, q journeyman
hired, and soon the merry ring of the
anvil could be heard from early morn
till late at night. Fields were plowed,
laborers were hired, new, improved
farming tools purchased and general
air of prosperity seemed to pervade
the old place.
The summer closed and there came
the soft Indian summer. The harvest
ing was done, the barns were full of
hay and corn. The farm work rested,
but the anvil continued to ring and
the little mill to turn out from tie
lathes numberle wooden articles that
found a ready SALE Aud SO matters
went, with every appearance of sue
cess through to winter, the next
spring, summer and fall. Outwardly
all sc emed to be going well, but the
trouble which the old lawyer had pre-
dicted at the outset had begun. Little
jars, trivial at first, between the men
both meaning to do right, but both
set and obstinate of temper soon
grew to an open rupture.
1t was hard thing for the old man,
who had always had everything his
own way to feel the bitterness of being
set aside and TO take back seat as it
were in the management of affairs. It
was only natural for him, growing
more feeble and irritable month by
month, to brood over the loss OF his
money and to look on the dark side of
the situation. He was always treated
kindly, but he seemed to feel that be
was an encumbranoe, and in con-
sequence was very oyerbearing and
uhh"ppg.
And so matters went on until one
day after some rather peremptory
orders about the farm from the old
man to which the son refused to yield
that the storm broke. One harsh
word followed another, and the next
day the entire community was as
founded to hear that Samuel Barlow
had quit the farm hastily and in the
rain, without hat or coat, had gone
out into the night 60 the home OF q
humble neighbor, aud that he was
going to sue his son to get back the
farm.
Stories we're told of differences that
had long existed, ever since the agree
ment was first made. in fact, and the
injustice-so the old man claimed
with which he had been treated.
'And now that IL has come 20 this"
said old David Evans. the lawyer, who
had drawn the deed, "itll have to be
fought out iu court for they are both
stubborn and neither one will give in.
] will positively refuse 90 take hand
in the case on either side"
A few months later, at the opening
Of the regular term of court, was wit
messed one Of the snddost of all sad