The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-03-30

neglect his own children, and have
done it. 1t is not rational that he
should spend his time and money and
strength on himself so as to grow in
tensely selfish, and l have done that.
My son, you may doubt me, but l am
firmly convinced that I shall not be
alive here after next Sunday. I am
trying to live us | ought to live under
those conditions. My son." Mr.. Hardy
spoke with dignity and certain I'M
pressioo which George could not but
feel, Il want you to do as you know
you ought to do under the circum-
stances. When l am gone, your moth
er and the girls will look to you for adj
vice and direction. You will probably
have to leave college for little while.
We will talk that over this evening.
But want you to promise me that you
will not touch another glass of liquor
or handle another card as long as you
live"
George laughed little uneasily and
then lied outright: II don't see the
harm of game once in awhile just for
fun. l don't play for stakes, as some
fellows do"
George" said his father, looking at
him. steadily, you have not told the
truth. You were gambling only few
nights ago. 1t is useless for you to de-
ny it. That is where the very liberal
allowance have given you has been
squandered."
George turned deathly pale and sat
with bowed head while his father went
on almost sternly: Consider your
mother, George, whose heart almost
broke when you came in last night.
don't ask you to consider me. l have
not been to you what father ought to
be. But if you love your mother and
sisters and have any self respect left
you will let drink and cards alone
after this. In the sight Of God, my
dear boy, remember what he made
you for. You are young You have
all Of life before you. You can make
a. splendid record if God spares your
Il would gladly give all possess to
stand where you do today and live my
life over again. can't do it. The
ways repent. George, believe me, your
mother would rather see you in your
coffin than see you come home again as
you did last night. We love you'
Mr.. Hardy, proud man that he was,
could say no more. He laid his hand
on the boys head as If he We're a
| young lad again and said simply,
Don't disappoint God, my boy" and
went out. leaving his son sitting there
almost overcome by his fathers pow
erful appeal, but not yet ready to yield
himself to the still small voice that
spoke within even more powerfully
and whispered to him: ''My son, give
me thine heart. Cease to do evil; learn
to do well. Cleanse thy ways and fol
low after Righteousness"
/ 1t was 1 O'clock when Mr.. Hardy
came down stairs, and as he came into
the room where Mrs. Hardy and the
| girls We're sitting he happened to think
of some business matters between him
self and his only brother, who lived in
the next town, 20 miles down the road.
He spoke of the matter to Mrs.
Hardy, and she suggested that Will go
down on the 3 O'clock train with the
papers Mr.. Hardy wanted to have his
brother look over and come back on
the 6 o'clock in time for dinner.
Clara asked if she couldn't go, too,
and Bessie added her request, as she
had not seen her aunt for some time.
Mr.. Hardy saw no objection to their
going. only he reminded them that he
wanted them all back at g. Alice vol
unteered to amuse George at home
| while all the rest We're gone, and Mr..
and Mrs. Hardy departed for the flu
neral, Mr.. Hardy's thoughts still alb
sorbed for the most part with his older
boy. Clara had asked no questions
concerning the interview with James,
and her father simply stated that they
could have good talk about it in the
evening.
The tenement at No. 76O was crowd
ed, and in spite of the wintry weather
large numbers Of men and women
had ordered his sleigh, and he and his
wife had gone down to the house in
that, ready to take some one to the
cemetery.
The simple service as it began was
exceedingly impressive to Mr.. Hardy.
Most of the neighbors present looked
at him and his well dressed wife in
sullen surprise. She noticed. the looks
with heightening color, but Mr.. Har-
dy was too much absorbed in his
thoughts of what he had done and left
undone in this family to be influenced
by the behavior Of those about him.
Mr. Jones offered prayer for the
comfort of God to rest on the stricken
family. He then read few words
from Johns gospel appropriate to the
occasion and said few simple words
mostly addressed to the neighbors
present. The poor widow had been re.
moved to small room up stairs and
lay there cared for by the faithful sis
ter. The minister had nearly conclud-
ed his remarks when voice was heard
In the room above, voices expostulat-
Ing In alarm and growing louder, fol.
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