Middletown transcript., 1900-05-19
CHAPTER V.


power but this scene with his drunke
son crushed him for a moment an
seemed to take the very soul out c
him. Mrs. Hardy at first uttered
wild cry and then ran forward ant
seizing her elder boy, almost dragge
him into the house, while Mr.. Hardy
recovering from his first shock, locke
sternly at the companions Of the bo
and then shut the door. That nigh
was night Of sorrow in that family
The sorrow Of death is not to be CON
pared with It.
But morning came, as it comes aik
to the condemned criminal and to tn
pure hearted child on a holiday, ant
after a brief and troubled rest MI
Hardy awoke to his second day, tn
memory Of the night coming to him a
first as an ugly dream, but afterwart
as terrible reality. His boy drunk
He could not make 1t seem possible
Yet there in the next room he lay in {
drunken stupor, sleeping off the effecti
of his debauch of the night before. Mr.
Hardy fell on his knees and prayed fol
mercy, again repeating the words, Gal
mighty God, help me to use the remain
ing days in the wisest and best man
ner." Then calming himself by tire
mendous effort he rose up and faced
the days work as bravely as any mar
under such circumstances could.
fsttcF : farnily council, in which al
of them were drawn nearer together
than they ever had been before on ac
count Of their troubles, Mr.. Hardy out
lined the days work something as fol
lows:
First, he would go and see James
Caxton and talk over the affair with
him and Clara. Then he would &c
down to the Office and arrange some
necessary details of bis business. II
possible, he would come home to
lunch. In the afternoon he would go
to poor Scoville's funeral, which had
been arranged for o'clock. Mrs.
Hardy announced her intention to go
also. Then Mr.. Hardy thought he
would have a visit with George and
spend the evening at home arranging
matters with reference to his own
death. With this programme in mind
he finally went away after an affection
ate leave taking with his wife and
children.
George slept heavily until the middle
of the forenoon and then awoke with a
onrfn ha ho1
times during the morning stolen into
the room to see If her brother were
awake. When he did finally turn over
and open his eyes, he saw the young
girl standing by the bedside. He
groaned as he recalled the night and
his mothers look, and Bess said timid-
ly as she laid her hand on his forehead:
George, I'm so sorry for you! Don't
you feel WE'LL"
81 feel as If my head would split
open. 1t aches as if some one was
chopping wood inside Of it."
what makes you feel so?" asked
Bess innocentiy. did you eat too much
supper at the Bramleys'?"
Bess had never seen any one drunk
before, and when George was helped to
bed the night before by his father and
mother she did not understand his con-
dition. She had always adored her big
brother. 1t was not strange she had no
idea Of his habits.
George looked at his small sister Gu
riously; then,I under an impulse he
could not explain, he drew her nearer
to him and said:
"Bess, I'm bad fellow. / was drunk
last night! Drunk - do you under
stand7 And I've nearly killed motherw
Bess was aghast at the confession.
She put out her hand again.
"Oh, no, Georgew Then with swift
revulsion of feeling she drew back and
said, "How could you, with father feel
ing as he doesr
And little Bess, who was a creature
of very impulsive emotions, sat down
crying on what she supposed was
cushion, but which was Georges tall
hat, accidentally covered with one end
Of comforter which had slipped off
the bed. Bess was very plump little
creature, and as she picked herself up
and held up the hat George angrily ex-
claimed:
you're always smashing my thingsp'
But the next minute he was sorry for
the words.
Bess retreated toward the door, QuiY-
ering under the injustice of the charge.
At the door she halted. She had some
thing of Clara's passionate temper, and
once in awhile she let even her adored
brother George feel it, small as she
was.
George Hardy, if you think more of
your old stovepipe hat than you do of
your sister, all right. You'll never get
any more of my months allowance.
And If do smash your things l don't
come home drunk at night and break
mothers heart. That's what she's
crying about this morning-that and
fathers queer ways. Oh, dear, don't
want to live; life is so full of troublep'
And little 12-year-old Bess sobbed in
genuine sorrow.
George forgot his headache minute.
"Come. Bess, come and kiss and
make up. Honest, now, didn't mean
It was bad to say what l did. I'll
buy a dozen hats and let you sit on
them for fun. Don't go away angry.
I'm so miserable"
He lay down and groaned, and Bess
went to him Immediately, all her anger
vanished.
"Oh. let me get you something to
drive away your headache, and I'll !
bring you up something nice to eat!
Mother had Norah save something for
you. Didn't you, motherp
Bessie asked the question just as her i
mother came in.
Mrs. Hardy said eyes" and, going
up to George, sat down by him and
laid her hand on his head, as his sister
had done.
The boy moved uneasily. He saw
the marks Of great suffering on his
mothers face, but he said nothing to
express sorrow for his disgrace.
tBess, will you go and get George
his breakfastr asked Mrs. Hardy, and
the minute she was gone the mother
4 L.