The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-12-30

to the village for some cranb'r'ys-
mother told me to get 'em yesterday
| but | forgot, and we couldn't have
turkey without cranb'r'ys, you know!
And mother says, Pa l wish you'd stop
and pay the doctors bill. l hate to
owe anybody New Years Day All
right, mother said /, and spos'n l ask
| her to come home to dinner with me?
! She amt got any folks, and we amt
got any, for 'tain't likely Horace can
come home Horace's my son, who
lives way out in Minneapolis. So put
on your bonnet, doctor, and come right
! along with me. We're plain sort of
folks, but we will give you a warm
welcome"
He stopped suddenly, for Elaine's
nerve had deserted her at last and she
covered her face with her hands and
burst into tears.
Over the bowed head the old man
glanced at the little table with its
slices of toast, its empty coffee cup and
unused plate and knife and fork, and
a sudden comprehension made his keen
gray eyes misty.
"There, there, my dear!" he said
huskily, as he gently stroked the pretty
brown hair. Don't cry. l can't bear
to have you do that You're about
the age my girl would be If she had
lived, and"
He could say no more, and coughed
to hide his emotion.
Il hope you will pardon me- said
Elaine, recovering herself with an eff
fort. Il"
There, don't you say word! I
understand. You're homesick, having
no folks round here. It's natural"
said the farmer with ready tact. Just
put on this pretty fur thing and we
will leave the office to take care of it.
self. Folks won't want you till to-
morrow" he said with a chuckle at
the timeworn joke. ooh, and here's
the money. l almost forgot that, after
ALL"
Although virtue Is SAID to be its own
reward, a more tangible return for
benefits conferred seldom comes amiss,
and Mr.. Hastings felt in vague way
rewarded for his forethought in re-
membering the doctors loneliness
when, on reaching home, his eyes
were gladdened by the sight of the big,
broad-shouldered son who was his
pride and joy; who was Professor
Hastings" in the city Of his adoption,
but would never be anything but our
boy Horace" to the dear old people
on the farm.
Professor Hastings had arrived dur
ing his fathers absence in the village.
If he was in the least surprised to see
the latter drive up with stylish-look-
ing young lady by his side he did not
show it. but his quick eye did notice
that no package was forthcoming from
the ample sleigh. Remembering his
fathers incurable absent -mindedness,
and having been told his errand, after
the usual introdrctions had taken
place and he had escorted Doctor Nell
son in doors, he said with a twinkle in
his eye
| Father, where are the cranberries?"
J A comical look Of dismay spread over
the latter's face as he said,-
Il declare If didn't forget 'em
again! Jump in, Horace, and we'll go
back. 1t amt ten o'clock and I'll have
'em yet-with your help"
The old people were happy beyond
their expectation in having their son
at home. Elaine was enjoying her
first real homelke holiday for four
long years; and as tor Professor Hast
lngs, when he was not tormenting him
self with speculations as to whether
that diamond ring of the Doctors was
an engagement token, he was happy in
dreams of the future time when he
might and did persuade her TO wear
plain gold one, and the name OF Hast
Ings.--,YFaverly Magazine.