The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-05-29

talk with him before going down TO the
funeral.
81 do not need to tell you, George"
began his father quietly, but with feel
ing, ''that l felt the disgrace Of your
drunkenness last night very bitterly.
You cannot know the feelings of your
father and mother in that respect. But
l did not call you in here to reproach
you for your vices. l want to know
what you intend to do in the face of
the present conditions."
Mr.. Hardy paused, then went on
again: 81 am perfectly aware, George,
that you regard my dream as a fancy
and think l am probably out of my
mind. Isn't that true7"
Mr.. Hardy hooked George full in the
! face and the young man stammered:
"Well-I-ah-yes-I- Just un-
derstand"-
"At the same time," went on his IA
ther, 81 rea 'ize that nothing but a con-
viction of reality could produce the
| change in me which you and all the
rest of the family must acknowledge
| has taken place. And you must con-
| fess that am acting far more ration
ally than did before my dream occur
| red. 1t is not natural for a father to
neglect his own children, and I have
done 1t. 1t is not rational that he
should spend his time and money ana
strength on himself so as to grow in
| tensely selfish, and l have done that.
My son, you may doubt me, but I am
firmly convinced that shall not be
alive here after next Sunday. L am
trying to live as 1 ought to live under
those conditions. My son." Mr.. Hardy
spoke with dignity and a certain I'm
preston which George could not but
feel, Il want you to do as you know
you ought to do under the circum-
stances. When am gone, your moth
er and the girls will look to you for ad-
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: 81 don't see the
harm Of a game once in awhile just for
fun. I 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 I 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. I have
not been to you what a father ought to
be. But If you love your mother and
sisters and have any self respect lef,
!, 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 youl
: life.
81 would gladly give all l possess tt
, stand where you do today and live my
: life over again. l can't do it. Tht
. past is irrevocable. But one can al
: ways repent. George, believe me, you
mother would rather see you in you
coffin than see you come home again al
you did last night. We love you
. Mr.. Hardy, proud man that he was
could say no more. He laid his hant
on the boys head as if he were I
| To- in, nd coid sin Al u
!, Don't disappoint God, my boy" ant
went out, leaving his son sitting ther
almost overcome by his fathers pow
;. erful appeal, but not yet ready to yiel'
;. himself to the still small voice tina
= spoke within even more powerful
and whispered to him: "My son, Civ
= = me thine heart. Cease to do evil; lear
= . to do we'll. Cleanse thy ways and fol
- |, low after Righteousness"
1t was 1 o'clock when Mr.. Hard
Il came down stairs, and as he came int
II the room where Mrs. Hardy and th
girls were sitting he happened to thin
j. of some business matters between hin
self and his only brother, who lived
ls the next town, 20 miles down the roa(
~ He spoke of the matter to Mr.
Hardy, and she suggested that VIII
y down on the o'clock train with th
le papers Mr.. Hardy wanted to have hi
.e brother look over and come back o
Il the o'clock in time for dinner.
3 Clara asked If she couldn't go, to-
L and Bessie added her request, as sh
p had not seen her aunt for some tim
'r Mr.. Hardy saw no objection to the
going, only he reminded them that L
ie wanted them all back at 6. Alice vo
~ unteered to amuse George at hon
III while all the rest were gone, and NJ
re and Mrs. Hardy departed for the fl
neral, Mr.. Hardy's thoughts still al
d sorbed for the most part with his oldt
VI boy. Clara had asked no question
% concerning the interview with Jane
~ and her father simply stated that the
~ could have good talk about it In IL