The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-05-01
CHAPTER XII.
PALMAM QUI MERUIT FERAT.


PALMAM QUI MERUIT FERAT.
1t is a pleasure to report that Paddy
had both his legs with him when he
was found. They were, however, Of
little immediate use to him. First, be-
cause he had not strength enough to
move them, and second, because there
were plenty of willing hands ready to
carry him wherever he wished to go.
| So great, in fact, was the press, that
Harry Bangs was unable to reach
Paddy's side until after he had been
borne to the coach on which sat old
John Ban gs weeping tears of pride and
joy.
1t was the first time that Paddy had
been subjected to close scrutiny by the
elder Bangs. Harry had always dread
| ed the proverbial keenness of a fathers
eye; and he had successfully schemed
to keep them apart. To casual OBJ
server there might have seemed to be
no cause for anxiety in this instance.
Paddy looked more like Banquo's ghost
than he did like Lawrence, but Law
renee after similar experience would
have appeared not otherwise, except
| that he would have been dead.
Harry tried in vain to separate his
father from Paddy; the venerable gen.
tleman was obstinate.
''He shall go to my house." he de-
clared. ''I'm too proud Of him to let
him out of my sight"
So Paddy was taken to Boston. When
the special from Springfield arrived in
that city, John Bangs hurried to his
| residence in order to have everything
ready for the reception of the hero.
| The servants were drawn up in the hall
and hurriedly drilled in the Yale cheer,
which they gave in great enthusiasm
when Paddy was led in. The proud old
man advanced to meet the noble youth,
and embraced him gently. for 1t was
not yet known definitely how many Of
his bones were broken. He was put to
bed, and four doctors, at hundred
dollars an hour apiece, watched beside
him while good old mother nature be-
gan his cure with sleep. John Bangs
stole into the room every half hour to
look at him, though it must be con-
fessed that he was not beautiful to see.
After one of these visits Mr.. Bangs
house, and there beheld q spectacle
which was almost too much even for
his iron nerves. Standing by the door:
which he had just closed was the real
Lawrence Bangs. He had been con-
cealed in Boston during the game, of
which he had read an aoount In the
evening extras. Having learned that
Paddy had been subjected to rough;
usage, he had painted a number of
wounds upon his face and had literally
decorated it with court plaster. He
must have been inspired in this work
of art, for it resembled the wreck of
Paddy O'Toole's features to a nicely.
Of course he supposed that Paddy had
been secretly transported to New
Haven, and that he could appear at his
fathers residence without fear.
1t flashed across the mind of John
Bangs that his son had died in the
room above and that this was his
ghost. He dismissed that notion
promptly, but his surprise was SO great
that he could command no words ex-
cept a few disjointed explosives.
Before the old gentleman could re-
ply, the hall door was flung open and
Harry Bangs rushed in. Since the
game he had been wildly careering
about, trying to find Lawrence in time
to avert the catastrophe, which, at that
moment, he saw precipitated before his
eyes. He made no effort to prevent it's
full elimination. The situation was
evidently hopeless.
"Come in here, both Of you," he said,
oraY, ba doom ~ a naoanf{ot
room on the right of the hall. They
followed mechanically.
cts all up, Lawrence" he said.
"We might as well tell the whole
story"
He told it with wonderful clearness
and brevity. To paint the fathers
grief would require too firm hand. 1t
will not be attempted here. Indeed,
that was very hard case. No pride
was ever higher and no humiliation
deeper than John Bangs. He had be-
lieved himself the father of hero, of
the "Speechless Wonder" of "Old Ellis
Favorite Son." and when the mask was
stripped off, there remained nothing
but creature of books and rank lists,
not laurel crowned, but with halo of
stale lamp oil smouldering upon the
dark background of obscurity.
1t is greatly to John Banks credit
that he was able to stifie all upbraid-
ings, and to come at once to the prac-
teal consideration of the case.
II will not burden you with useless
reproaches," he said. Neither will
make hard conditions. There is only
one thing which insist upon, and that
is that this deception must cease. 1t
is not honest. 1 will not have two of
you at Yale any longer"
''But, father" inteFposed Harry,
''how can we take Paddy away9 1t,
will simply cripple the nine. and Har- :