, 1898-08-19

morning if it amt rainin, an we'll git
at the corn cuttin."
The next morning as Mr.. White was
starting for Bugford's he saw a young
man coming down the road from the di-
: rection of the little railroad station. He
was dressed in a neatly fitting suit of
gray and carried a small leather valise.
The young man looked eagerly at
! White, and, nodGing, said:
GOOD morning, Mr.. White"
He held out his hand, smiling as he
did SO.
Mr.. White took the preferred hand,
looking very much puzzled.
"Ye seem to know me-but hanged
if-w'y, bless my soul, it's Ped Bug
ford"
$50 it is" laughed the young man.
81 am glad to see some one who re-
members me-"
II knowed ye as soon as ye laugh
3D." said White. "But hang it, how
ye have growed. Wy, ye are a man
now, bigger IAN yer father"
The two walked ON in the direction
of Bugford's.
Farmer White was not especially in
quisitive, but he was not altogether de-
void of a certain amount of curiosity
regarding the affairs of his n%cighbors,
and before the two reached their desti
nation he had learned several important
facts relative to young Bugford.
Among other things he learned that
Ped had perfected a most valuable piece
of machinery which he had been work
ing on for years. and having patented
his invention he had disposed of it to a
wealthy firm III Chicago for a snug for
tune and was coming home to share it
with his aged parents.
White speculated on the surprise in
store for Bugford, and he chuckled in
wardly as he thought of the joy and
amazement Ped's sudden return would
bring to the parents.
AS they arrived before the farmhouse
they saw Mrs. Bugford coming from the
springhouse carrying a pan of milk.
AS Ped came toward her she looked
at him keenly, then set the pan of milk
upon the ground, her form trembling.
Its Pedv' she said in an agitated
voice.
kJAc toOh Ii3 tL' III hlsstu I'LL.
Then he put his arms about her neck,
while the tears ran down his checks.
"Ye have growed so," she said,
holding him ut arms length and gazing
fondly into his face.
II was afraid you wouldn't recognize
me" he said, ''but you annot deceive
a mothers eye"
They stood talking for some moments.
Some of the little ducks that were run
ming about the yard came up, and pounc-
ing into the pan of milk began to swim
about in the liveliest manner.
where's father?'' asked Ped.
SIN the house eatin his breakfast.
Come, let's go in"
She stopped to pick up the pan.
"Them ducks have spilled the milk"
she said, employing ducks and milk out
into the grass.
"Ped's daddy'll be mighty glad ter
see him." said White as the three
walked toward the house.
"Don't say who ! am" said Ped,
"and we'll sec if father will know me
"That's good chuckled White.
"Ill bet he won't know We at all"
Silas was sitting ut the table eating
his breakfast when the three entered.
"I've brought ye a hand" said
White, nodding toward Ped.
"All right" responded Silas. "Set
up an have breakfast"
II bin," replied White, "but l reck-
on the hand hain't.'
"No, l haven't" said Ped, taking a
scat ut the table.
"He don't know him. by jing!'
chuckled White inwardly.
"Jist help yerself," said Bugford
and Ped was not backward in obeying.
Little was said during the meal, and
when it was finished, without Bugford
having shown any signs of recognizing
his SOL Whites excitement rose to the
highest pitch.
Its a good un on Silas, it is, by
gosh !" was his mental comment.
"Silas," said White, as the two arose
from the table, Il reckon We don't know
this Teller | brought" and he nodded
toward Ped.
Silas slowly drew a pipe from his
pocket, and, filling and lighting it. said
"Know him? l knowed him soon as
he coined inter the door. It's about
work time, l reckon. Ped, thar's an
extra corn knife out in the shed. -
| Will Lisenbee in ShOr Stories.