The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-10-18

fenAY1Eh\A years ago, tapping
~dS at the door. The
winter sunrise was
painting the east; and as the window
was to the back of the house, 1t shone
into the room with many strange col
ors of refracted light. Without. the
houses were all clsanly rooted with
snow; the garden walls were COPIED
with it foot in height; the greens lay
glittering. Yet strange as snow had
grown to John during his years upon
the Bay Of San Francisco, 1t was what
he saw within that most affected him.
For it was to his own room that Alex
ander had been promoted; there was
the old paper with the device OF fow-
ers, in which cunning fancy might
yet detect the face of Skinny Jim, OF
the Academy, Johns former dominic;
there was the old chest OF drawers;
there were the chairs-one, two, three
three as before. Only the carpet was
new, and the litter Of Alexander's
clothes and books and drawing mate
rails, and a pencil-drawing on the
wall, which lin Johns eyes) appeared
a marvel of proficiency.
He was thus lying and looking, and
dreaming. hanging as 1t were. between
two erochs Of his life, when Alexander
came to the door and made his pres
ence known in loud whisper John
let him in, and jumped back into the
warm bed.
"well, john" said Alexander. "the
cablegram is sent in your name. and
twenty words of answer paid. / have
been to the cab Office and paid your
cab, even saw the old gentleman him
self. and properly apologized. He was
mighty placable, and indicated his be-
lief you had been drinking. Then /
knocked up old Macewen out OF bed,
and explained affairs to him as he sat
and shivered in dressings gown. And
before that / had been to the High
Street, where they have heard nothing
of your dead body, so that incline to
the idea that you dreamed it,"
Catch mev' said John.
well, the police never do know
anything" assented Alexander; land
at any rate, they have dispatched a
man to inquire and to recover your
trousers and your money, so that really
your bill is now fairly clean; and see
but one lion in your path-the gov
ernor."
"I'll be turned out again, you'll see"
said John, dismally.
Il don't imagine SO" returned the
other; mot IL you do what Flora and
i have arranged; and your business
now Is to dress. and lose no time about
It. Is your watch right? Well, you
have a quarter of an hour. BY FIVE
minutes before the half hour you must
be at table, in your old seat, under
Uncle Duthie's picture. Flora will be
.there to keep you countenance: and
we shall see what we shall see."
Wouldn't it be wiser for me to stay
in bed?" said John.
IF you mean to manage your own
concerns. you can do precisely what
you like" replied Alexander: but If
you are not in your place five minutes
before the half hour wash my hands
of you, for one"
And thereupon he departed. He had
spoken warmly, but the truth is, his
heart was somewhat troubled. And
as he hung over the balusters, watch
ing for his father to appear. he had
hard ado to keep himself braced for
the encounter that must follow.
"If he takes it well, shall be lucky"
he reflected. "If he takes 1t Ill. why
It'll be a herring across Johns tracks,
end perhaps all for the best. He's a
COMPOUNDED muff, this brother OF mine,
but he seems decent soul"
At that stage door opened below
with certain emphasis, and Mr.. Mich
olson was seen solemnly to descend
the stairs and pass into his own apart
ment. Alexander followed, quaking in
wardly, but with steady face. He
knocked, was hidden to enter. and
found his father standing In front of
the forced drawer, to which he pointed
as he spoke.
This is most extraordinary thing"
said he; II have been robbed"
II was afraid you would notice it."
observed his son: sit made such a
beastly hash OF the table,"
You were afraid would notice it?"
repeated Mr.. Nicholson. And pray,
what may that mean?''
That was thief, sir" returned
Alexander. II took all the money in
case the servants should get hold of
1t: and here is the change. and note
of my expenditures. You were gone
to bed, you see, and did not feel at
liberty to- knock you up; but ! think
when you have neard the circum-