The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-07-24
HIS REFORMATION.
BIZ aABOED P. MCPHERSON.

Henry Dyson was alone in his little
Office at the back end Of mis- place Of
business. The hour was late, and all
his employees had gone. Mr.. Dyson was
a pleasant-lo0king man Of about IS or
40, snd his fellow townsmen frequently
pointed TO him with pride as a self-made
man.
But, while everybody had agOod word
Tor Henry Dyson, very few people spoke
we'll of his brother, Tom.
On the night cur story opens the mer-
chant was waiting for his gracsless
brother, and as the hours rolled on the
frown on his face grew deeper.
II can do nothing with Ton" he said,
as he paced the floor impatientIy. "I
have given him every possible. chance,
but he grows more idle and dissipated
every day. Perhaps 7 ought not TO wait
for him, but he was SO urgent in his re-
quest for an interview tonight that
could not refuse. Poor fellowi What
new trouble can he be mixed up in?"
The front door opened and a young
man entered quietly, and, after furtive
glance round the store, proceeded to the
Office.
"Well, Tom?" said Henry Dyson.
II am here, you see, replied Tom.
81 suppose" said Henry, at is useless
TO ask why you are so late orwhere you
have be, during the last two days?"
Tom looked nervous and his eyes fell.
"rhat is neither here nor there" he
answered, in a staggering way. 81
have had some business of my own to
look after, and I knew that you were
not short Of help in the store"
'Well, what is it?" asked Henry, abb
ruptiy,
Brother" Tom broke out. huTriedly
and in faltering voice, 81 must have
some money-at least $780,"
Il wonder where you will get it?"
Henry reioined, "You will not get an
other dollar from me-that is certain.
Why should I toll here and economic
in order to furnish you with funds to be
lost at the gaming tablet"
eff l do not get this money" said
Tom, turning very pale, 81 shall have to
leave the country"
"a good thing for the country, them"
snapped Henry. Don't let me interfere
with your travelling plans"
Tom seemed to fall all to pieces at
this reply. He made one more effort
II hope you are not hard up your
self?" he said.
Il was never getting along better"
responded the merchant, but that has
nothing TO DO with the case"
He pulled open the door of the iron
safe and pointed to little tin box.
do you see that?" he asked. well,
that box contains 20 crisp $500 bank
notes. drew the money from the bank
to-day for an Investment. No, Tom, I
am prospecting, but am tired of your
endless drain upon my purse. It must
stop, and now is the time"
Henry rose from his chair and went
into little closet for his overcoat.
In an instant, before q man could
count three seconds, Tom had drawn
The fiat tin box from the safe anil
slipped it into the breast Of his heavy
overcoat.
His brother slowly emerged from the
closet and put on his overcoat, Then he
closed the door of the safe with a click.
81 am ready to CO." he said. you
have no further business with me,
presumed"
mo, sir, /" Tom responded, with a pale,
determined face. Neither now nor
lateri good-by."
'Good-by, old fellow" said Henry,
with a yasgn.
Tom walked out of the store without
another word, banging the door after
him.
II know him." soliloquized the mer-
chant. He will not leave here. He will
be here tomorrow with q new PROPOSE
ton. Perhaps, after ali, I had better
leok into his affairs and give him an
other chance"
He walked slowly out Of the store and
locked the door. A glance up and down
the street showed him that Tom was
not in sight, and he then quietly made
his way TO his home and straightway
vent TO bed.
After leaving the store Tom Rugged
the tin box to his breast and walked at
rapid pace.
"It was an awful thing to Go" he
mRttered, 'fbut had to have money,
and I helped to make some Of it for my
lucky brother"
Theyonng man sped onward through
the deserted streets Of PaiReyiile until
he reached tha river, He crossed the
bridge and started up the hill on the
other side.
His plan was plain enough. BE was
going 10 the railroad station to take the
train for New York.
Suddenly he pulled up with a jerk.
BE took the box from under his coat.
aHang it" he exclaimed. 81 must
have been mad. am no thief, and I
wiz crt nny threat before 7 viii become
one. There is but one thing to do. I
viii return the box back to my brother,
confess my folly and then leave him
forever
he turned and retraeed his steps
8nen he reached the bridge he paussS