The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1900-05-09

"rn afraid therein be trouble, SIR lean
feet IL tn the air."
curiosity rather than with any feeling
of shame for the scene of the night be-
fore. After lunch was over Mr.. Hardy
called his son into the study for little
talk with him before going down to the
funeral
II do not need to tell you, George"
began his father quietly, but with feel
ing. that felt the disgrace of your
drunkenness last night very bitterly.
You cannot know the feelings of your
father and mother in that respect But
| did not call you in here to reproach
you for your vices. | 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 fancy
and think | am probably out Of my
mind. Isn't that true?"
Mr. Hardy looked George full in the
face, and the young man stammered:
-yes-I-don't just I'M
derstand"-
AT the same time" went on his IA
Their, Il realize 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 l am acting far more ration
ally than did before my dream occur
red. 1t IS not natural for n father to
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 | have done that.
My son, you may doubt me, but l am
/ firmly convinced that | shall not be
alive here after next Sunday. l am
| trying to live as l 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 add
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 a little uneasily and
then lied outright: Il don't see the
harm Of game once in awhile just for
fun. | don't play for stakes, as some
fellows do"
George" said lis 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. l
don't ask you to consider me. / 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
life.
II would gladly give all possess to
stand where you do today and live my
life over again. l can't do It, The
past Is irrevocable. But one can al
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 were n
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