Middletown transcript., 1900-05-26

| father and mother in that respect. But
did not call you in here to reproact
you for yer vices. l want to know
what you intend to do in the face Of
the preseIt conditions"
Mr.. Hardy paused, then went on
again: 81 am perfectly aware, George
that ycu 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:
"Well-I-ah-yes-I-don't just un-
! derstand"-
cat the same time," went on his ia
ther, 81 realize that nothing but 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 have
lone 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 am
firmly convinced that 1 shall not be
alive here after next Sunday. | am
trying to live as l ought to live under
those conditions. My son." Mr.. Hardy
spoke with dignity and a certain inl-
preston which George could not but
feel, 81 want you to do as you know
you ought to do under the circun-
stances. When 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.
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 q little uneasily and
then lied outright: Il don't see the
harm of a 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. 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
Il would gladly give all possess to
stand where you do today and live Ely
life over again. l can't do it. The
past is irreyocable. But one can al
ways repent. George. believe me, y0m
mother would rather see you III you
coffin than see you come hoEle aga.u rs
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 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 l O'Clock when Mr.. Hardy |
came down stairs, and as he came into
the room where Mrs. Hardy and the
girls were 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 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 60, 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
them all back at G. Alice vol.
to amuse George at home
while all the rest were gone, and Mr..
and Mrs. Hardy departed for the fu.
neral. Mr.. Hardy's thoughts still abb
sorbed for the most part with his older
boy. Clara had asked no questions
the interview with James,
Ind her father simply stated that they
could have good talk about it in the
evening.
The tenement at No. 760 was crowd
ID, and in spite Of the wintry weather
arge numbers of men and women
stood outside in the snow. Mr.. Hardy
lad ordered his sleigh, and he and his
wife had gone down to the house in
hat, ready to take some one to the
The simple service as 1t began was
impressive to Mr.. Hardy.
lost of the neighbors present looked
It him and his well dressed wife in
ullen surprise. She noticed the looks
With heightening color, but Mr.. Har-
Iy was too much absorbed in his
houghts Of what he had done and left
ndone in this family to be Influenced
y the behavior of those about him.
Mr.. Jones offered a prayer for the
omfort Of God to rest on the stricken
amily. He then read a few words
rom Johns gospel appropriate to the
ccasion and said few simple words.
lostly addressed to the neighbors
resent. The poor widow had been re-
loved to small room up stairs and !
~ there cared for by the faithful sis :
er. The minister had Nearly conclud- !
his remarks when voice was heard
the room above, voices expoStuIat-
lg In alarm and growing louder, fol-
WED by rapid movement in the mar 7
ow ball above. aud with scream of :
'enzy the wife rushed down tile stairs :
nd burst into the room where the dead :
Ody of her husband IaY. She had sud.