Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1900-06-22

sionately, "Oh, my son, NJ son. how
could you do it:''
The curly head was lifted instantly,
and the handsome, boyish face grew sui
len and hard. Recklessness and pride
were Habberton family traits, and Ben,
though younger son, was a true Hab-
bertOn.
So he said nothing, knowing that he
would hear more presently, and he did,
for soon his mother talked ON weakly
and, If she had only known it, foolish
ly: lyon know your grandfather al
ways suspected you of being wild, and
after you went to sea he always said
you'd come to some bad end, and had
hard work TO get him to ask you here
for Christmas, but after you came he
liked you ever SO much. He would not
have asked you to sit with him this
afternoon If he hadn t, and even when
he dropped asleep and you left the room
he wasn't angry. He said Of course you
wanted to be with the young folks But
how could you take that money? You
ought to have asked me if you needed
any. I know you said you had come
back as poor as you went away, but /
did not think you needed it right away
! can return it to your grandfather, of
course, but he is so angry that he says
he will have you arrested in the morn
ing, and l do believe, Ben, that he
would have made you his heir. How
could you do it, Benz"
Ben had grown very white, and his
fiCtc oil trh hi
mother paused, but he said quietly:
80 you and granddad have discovered
that am thief, have you? How did
you find it out?"
"Why, he had $500 in bills in his
writing desk. It seems he saw 1t there
just before you Went to his room, and
there was no one else there up to the
time he missed it..
$50 he says stole it, does he?''
Don't use such words, Ben. OF
course you didn't mean it for stealing,
but I am afraid he will have you arrest
ed-and think of the disgracel Why
didn't you ask me for money, Benz"
1t was something like an impracation
that the young sailor muttered under
his breath as he rose to his feet and
walked up and down the room for few
moments. But no word more of any
kind could his mother get from him IN
til she had exhausted herself with weep
ing and pleading. Then he led her to
her room, and, kissing her tenderly, bads
her good night.
Going back to his own room, he re-
sumed his reverie. "Well, he thought,
81 had merry Christmas, for it's aft
er ID o'clock. And now for the old life.
Cowardly, folks would call it, I sup
pose, to run away with a charge like
that over my head, but don't think it
is. If I stay, the old man will surely
make a row in the morning and there
will be great scandal. If go, he will
be too proud to make the scandal for
nothing. He will call $500 a cheap
price to get rid of good for nothing me,
and that will be the end of it. Poor
mother thinks I'm guilty, too, but they
won't tell anybody else for shame's
sake, and if they can t trust me let them
think what they will.
Give hundred dollars,' - he muttered,
with nasty sort of laugh, under his
breath. "That's rather a small sum to
turn thief for, but I wish 1 had
hundredth part of it just to get grub
till strike another job. I could get it
from mother easily enough, but I'd
rather go hungry than take it from her,
thinking what she does.
"But it's best for me to go. would
J.
for Alice. Perhaps that's best too.
don't know whether she would care.
Probably I never will know now, SO
here goes.'
And opening his window carefully
and noiselessly he swung himself out on
a huge vine that clung to the side Of the
house, and, lowering himself hand over
hand, he was soon on the ground. 1t was
only five miles to town, and he was
there long before daybreak.
Now Alice was certain wide eyed,
clear witted, young second cousin of
this headstrong youth. They had never
met till three days before, but great
things are done in three days when Gu
pid turks around old fashioned country
houses where the mistletoe is used
among the decorations, and Ben was
very much mistaken in thinking she
wouldn't care She would and she did
Being quick witted, Alice was alst
impulsive, and sometimes it was well
that she was SO. On the morning after
Christmas she passed old Mr.. Habber
tons door very early on her way down
stairs and was greatly surprised to heal
angry words inside. AS the door was
open she entered.
81 tell you he stole The money, and
shall send for the police - stormed the
old man, and Ben's mother, who had
been pleading for mercy, gave up the
struggle. 81 would have sent last night
if it hadn't been Christmas.
"Why, who has been stealing, Uncle
Ralph?" asked Alice.
Even in his anger the old man paused
oung rascal, Beni" he exclaim.
old the story Of the money.
Alice had occasion, if never be-
to be thankful for her quickness
don't think Ben looks like thief," "
she said, "but, uncle, you say you saw
the money in your desk just before he
came in. "
81 certainly did," said Mr.. Habber-
ton.
"But are you sure you left it there?'
asked the girl.
The old man looked at her in surprise
Then one emotion chased another across
his rugged features until presently he
sank back in his chair with an express
sion of great disgust at himself