Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-08-18
MY WELCOME AT
BRATHWAITE'S
Copyright, 1898.

IA hi-@f WCnt " Now IOIh CITY last
Wv fall / had not seen any of the
Brathwaite family since our own had
moved TO Chicago, 20 years before. AS
| was leaving home father requested me
to call on our old-time friends, and
readily promised. had not the slight
est desire to see Abel Brathwaite, hav-
ing been told that he was queer; be-
sides, he and father had had business
Misunderstanding several years before
which had disturbed their friendly re-
.ations. But Abel had daughter, and
did want TO see her. Amy and had
been playmates, and was curious to
see what the years had done for her.
Hurrying through the corridor of the
Metropolitan to catch an L train for
the Brathwaite home, was accosted
by young man who extended his card.
upon which ! read: Richard Downs"
My puzzled expression in trying TO
place the name led him to explain: /.
II saw the name on the register and
took the liberty of speaking TO you in
the hope that you might be Adam
Craydor's son. He was a business ac-
quaintance of my father many years
ago. am here in the east on a matter
of business and pleasure, and If you
are Adam Craydor's son it would be
quite agreeable to me to renew the old
friendship"
II am Adam Craydor's son." I re-
piled, slipping the card into my vest
pocket, land ! remember now that
have heard him speak of your father.
am on my way to make call, but
shall be glad to meet you later in the
evening"
I left him and shortly reached the
Brathwaite home. / asked the maid
who answered the ring for Miss Amy
and gave her my card. Her glance at
the card and at me, as she showed me
INTO the parlor. was curious, to say the
least. / thought l saw amused expec-
,ation in 1t, but, regarding this as only
the innate impotence of maids, dis
missed the impression and sat down to
wait.
saw in the parlor evidences OF
daintiness- and good taste that must
lave been Amy's. and grew quite
eager to see how she would receive me.
On the end of the mantel stood cab
met photograph of my father, which
quieted my fears that Abel Brathwaite
might be resentful on account of the
business Misunderstanding. My sur
prise may be imagined. therefore, when
heard an angry voice at the top OF
The stairs saying:
"Of course III 90 down. We might
rs well settle the matter now. Iheres
no use saying don't; I'm going; ana II
Won want TO hear my opinion of him
and his father, stand here at the top OF
the stairs and listen"
What he thought of father and me.
knew that Brathwaite had censureo
father for his part in the misunoer-
standing. and | had written number
n letters which I had tried to make
particularly courteous, but had mol
known that the old gentleman was nos
tile. listened for the reply of the per
sop he addressed. and IL came down 10
me in a soft. musical voice;
"Be firm with him. father" she saio.
Tell him exactly what we think, but
please don't be rude"
-Firml" repeated the old gentleman
Never fear. shall be firm and a little
ude. too. expect"
Had Mr.. Brathwaite become chiio-
n? No other explanation seemed
,lausible. If he were in his right mind:
.urelv a disagreement over a time OF
5000 would not have turned the old
ime friendship to enmity. Il was evl-
lent that he was in no mood to receive
ov fathers kindest remembrance
bought all this to the accompaniment
Z determined footsteps coming down
he stairs -. ~
Ne walked in-the man father NAG
f,en described to me and as l. nao
,sr,lv remembered him; large digni-
led commanding. II character ever
aces itself upon a face a resolute WI W. |
,aa cast the features and stineneo ,1s
J.