River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-10-15

come clerk in shipping Office. In
the years since Joe had been in town
the keeper had managed by scraping
and pinching 10 save some 500 in addi-
tion 10 what he had paid out for him.
This was deposited in a 500 bank, and
as Rilly had often told the cashier, il
was to set the boy up IN business. Joe
knew this. too. for his father had told
him Of IL in the short conversation he
had had with him after his graduation.
or late. Joe's thoughts had been turn-
ing 10 this s700 pretty frequently. lie
had been living little faster than his
salary would permit; and then there
were dinners and a little gambling sud
well young man must enjoy him
self. AZ this 500 meant so much 10
him and 80 little to his father
One day an upgoing steamer left a
letter for Joe from his father. II told
him among other things that in a week
or so be would come up ar iarrange for
starting him in business lad would be
say to Mr.. Simonson, the cashier. that
he might expect him then.
Again Billy made arrangements D go
passing barge, whose captain he knew.
and his boat was lowed up for him. He
sometimes went up in this way on a
barge and rowed back the Is miles: it
was an easy PULL down the river. Ii was
about three o'clock when Billy arrived
in the 500. and he went at once to the
hank 1--we come for my money!" said
he, presenting himself at the cashiers
window, with a glad smile. Your
money? What money!" calculated the
cashier. And then seeing the look of
bewilderment on Billy's face he went
on: "Nyhy. we paid the money over to
your son on an order from you a week
ago. Is there anything wrong?" he
asked quickly. "Joe-yes, l wrote him
week ago." said Billy almost TO HIM
self. "Never mind; I'll see him." He
turned and went slowly toward the
door, rubbing his hand across his fore
head like a man dazed. A few minutes
later he crept into the shipping Office
and asked timidly for Joe. II am
sorry. Mr.. Smith," said the manager
politely. but we were obliged to dis
charge Joe a week or SO ago. He's been
somewhat unsteady lately. Here's let
ter he asked US to give you if you should
call" Here he handed out letter di-
rected in hasty scrawl to MIR. William
Smith. Billy took il and went out on
the dock where his boat was rocking
against a post. lie lore il open with
fingers that seemed to have sudden
" grown cid and stiff. There was only
line or two:
81 have taken the $500; you will par
don me if have anticipated your plans
for me. Don't worry about me.
have left for good 1t was signed 81. 4"
Like a man of so Instead of 81. Billy
united his skiff. climbed isto it me-
chanicalIy, and pushed out into the
current. Joe, o joe" he kept saying
to himself. Ii was late when he reached
the point. for his boat had mostly drift
ed down. and once had caught in an eddy
for long while. and Billy had not no.
ticed il. He did not go TO the light
house which threw a joyful CLEAN
across the lake. hut his feet involun-
| taTily led him along path which they
had trodden for many years. II was
:he path to his Nife's grave. He reached
| it. got down beside il, laid his old white
head upon the green sod. 30 Anna,
q joe" he cried softly to himself. and
| the night wind blew gently across the
lake and blended its signing with the
call of the whippoorwill.-D Detroit Free
| Press