The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-05-12
MY WELCOME AT
BRATHWAITE'S
Copyright, 1898.

w fall l 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 l
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-
lstions. 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:
~ 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 business ac-
quaintance of my father many years
ago. am here in the east on 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"
81 am Adam Craydor's son." re-
piled, slipping the card into my vest
pocket. "and | 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""
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 saw amused expec-
tation in it, but, regarding this as only
the innate impudence of maids, dis
missed the impression and sat down to
wait.
saw in the parlor evidences Of a
daintness and good taste that must
have 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
l heard an angry voice at the top OF
the stairs saying:
"Of course I'll go down. We might
rs well settle the matter now. There's
no use saying don't; I'm going; and il
you 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 censured
father for his part in the misunder
standing, and had written a numbe,
OF letters which ! had tried to make
particularly courteous, but ! had moi
known that the old gentleman was hos
tile. listened for the reply Of the per
son he addressed, and itcame down u
me in soft, musical voice:
BE firm with him, father" she said
Tell him exactly what we think, bur
please don't he rude"
"Firm!" repeated the old gentleman
Never fear. shnll be firm and littl,
rude, too, ! expect"
Had Mr.. Brathwaite become child
ish? No other explanation seemet
plausible. Ifhe we've in his right mind
surely a disagreement over trife o
$1,000 would not have turned the old
time friendship TO enmity. II was evi
dent that he was In no mood to receiv'
my father's kindest remembrances.
thought all this to the accompaniment
nt determined footsteps coming dow
the stairs.ag,i .E,ill tg4hD oak.l
De walked in--the man father ha1
often described to me and .as I ha,
olmly tcnnehbsted him;. large, dignl
ueds uedseopra4dink. II ehsrastsrfsvS
.t,ees it9elf upon face, . rehQlQte VII
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