Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1896-11-12
proof with him that time did really go

on.
A day or 80 before the time came
Billy got substitute for few days
and went up to the 500. His old friends
there saw him dressed in stylish clothes,
the first time, perhaps, since he came to
the river with his wife years before.
They smiled and remarked to each other
that lie had come down to see Joe grad
uate. In some way or other Billy had
also found out that flowers were usually
given to graduates on such occasions,
and he arranged TO have dozen of the
costliest roses he could procure ready
for the evening. The exercises were
held in large hall, and Billy was the
first to arrive, but he took modest seat
in the corner. He had not gone to see
Joe since coming to town, for. said he
to some old river acquaintance: Hes
crful busy, you know, gittin' ready, and
don't wanter discommode him any,"
Throughout the evening Billy sat as
II in dream. 1t was very warm, and
everybody else was uncomfortable and
uneasy, but not so Billy. In stiff new
clothes, modern collar and all, he sat
as II spellbound, looking at the stage
and the graduates where Joe was.
'Pritty flne-lookin' boy" he kept re-
reating to himself, When the diplomas
had been distributed and the exercises
were over Billy fingered behind. He
wanted to see Joe, and was going home
with him II "there was any show" he
thought to himself. But Joe was in
too much of a-hurry, going off with
some fellows to special spread, to pay
much attention to his father, and so
Billy stayed at the Chippewa house in
stead. He felt little sad in some way,
for he had planned on having good,
long visit with Joe, but he did not think
that Joe had been unkind to him--no,
of course not, for wasn't Joe his boy?
After a short call on Joe next day he
went back to the lighthouse at the
point.
Two more years went by. Billy still
lived his lonesome life, and Joe had be-
come a clerk in shipping Office. In
the years since Joe had been in town
the keeper had managed by scraping
and pinching to save some $700 in addi-
ton to what he had paid out for him.
This was deposited in 500 bank, and
rs Billy had often told the cashier, 1t
was to set the boy up in business. Joe
knew this, too, for his father had told
him of it in the short conversation he
had had with him after his graduation.
OF late, Joe's thoughts had been turn
ing to this 500 pretty frequently. He
bad been living little faster than his
salary would permit; and then there
were dinners and little gambling and
well, a young man must enjoy him
self. And this $500 meant SO much to
him and SO little to his father!
One day an upgoing steamer left
letter for Joe from his father. 1t told
him among other things that in week
or so he would come up and arrange for
starting him in business, and would he
say to Mr.. Simonson, the cashier, that
he might expect him then.
Again Billy made arrangements togo
to the 500. He rowed out and hailed
passing barge, whose captain he knew,
and his boat was towed up for him. Ee
sometimes went up in this way on
barge and rowed back the 15 miles; it
was an easy pull down the river. twas
about three o'clock when Billy arrived
in the 500, and he went at once to the
bank. "Tve come for my money" said
he, presenting himself at the cashiers
window, with q glad smile. "Your
money? What money! calculated the
cashier. And then seeing the look of
bewilderment ON Billy's face he went
on: 'Why, we paid the money over to
your son ON an order from you week
ago. Is there anything wrong?" he
asked quickly. "Joe-yes, wrote him
q 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 man dazed A few minutes
later he crept into the shipping Office
and asked timldly for Joe. 81 am
sorry, Mr.. Smith," said the manager
politely, "but we were obliged to dis
charge Joe n week or so ago. He's been
'somewhat unsteady lately. Here'sa let
ter he asked us to give you If you should
call" Here he handed out letter li-
rected in a hasty scrawl to Mr.. William
Smith. Billy took it and went out on
tho dock where his boat was rocking
against post. He tore it open with
fingers that seemed to have sudden
ly grown old and stiff. There was only
q line or two:
II have taken the $500; you will par
don me il have anticipated your plans
for me. Don't worry about me. I
have left for good" 1t was signed a."
Like q man Of 80 instead of co, Billy
united his sldff, climbed into it me-
cbanically, and pushed out into the
current. "Joe, 0 Joe" he kept saying
to himself. Il was late when he reached
the point, for his boat had mostly drift
eddown and once had caught in an eddy
for long while, and Billy had not no
ticed 1t. He did not go to the light
house which threw joyful CLEAN
across the lake, but his feet involun-
tarily led him along path which they
had trodden for many years. 1t was
the path to his wife's grave. He reached
it, got down beside it, laid his old white
head upon the green sod. 20 Anna,
0 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.--Detroit Free
Press.
| ONLY Ono Kind of Diamond.