Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-08-11
The old gentleman blew his nose like

Will MedL Dut WHdt Cdne " I'LL
Then Graeme asked me to finish the
tale. After l had finished the story Of
Billy's final triumph and of Craig's
part in it they sat long silent till the
minister, clearing his throat hard and
blowing his nose more like trumpet
than ever. said, with great emphasis:
"Thank God for such man in such
a place! l wish there were more of us
like him."
81 should like to see you out there,
SIR" said Graeme admiringly. YOU'D
get them, but you wouldn't have time
for election"
ayes. yes" said his father warmly;
81 should love to have chance just
to preach election to those poor lads.
Would were twenty years younger"
'It is worth mans life." said
Graeme earnestly.
His younger brother turned his face
eagerly toward the mother. For an
swer she slipped her hand into his and
said softly, while her eyes shone like
stars:
"Some day, Jack. perhaps. God
knows"
But Jack only looked steadily at her,
smiling little and patting her hand.
you'd shine there. mother" said
Graeme, smiling upon her. you'd bet
ter come with me-"
She started and said family:
with your" 1t was the first hint he
had given Of his purpose. "You are
going back?"
"What-as a missionary" said Jack.
"Not to preach, Jack-I'm not ortho-
dox enough" looking at his father and
shaking his head-"but to build rail-
roads and lend q hand to some poor
chap if l can"
could you not find work nearer
home, my boy" asked the father.
'There is plenty Of both kinds near us
here surely"
"Lots of work, but not mine, fear"
answered Graeme, keeping his eyes
away from his mothers face. "a man
must do his own work."
His voice was quiet and resOlute,
and, glancing at the beautiful face at
the end of the table, saw in the pale
lips and yearning eyes that the mother
was offering up her firstbOrn, that an
cient sacrifice. But not all the agony
of sacrifice could wiring from her en-
treaty or complaint in the hearing of
her sons. That was for other ears and
for the silent hours of the night. And
next morning, when she came down to
meet us, her face was wan and weary,
| but it wore the peace of victory and a
glory not of earth. Her greeting was
full of dignity, sweet and gentle, but
when she came to Graeme she fingered
over him and kissed him twice, and
that was all that any of us ever saw
Of that sore fight.
At the end of the week I took leave
of them and last of all of the mother.
She hesitated just a moment, then
suddenly put her hands upon my shoul
ders and kissed me, saying softly:
'You are his friend. You will some
times come to me?
GLADLY, if may" l fastened to an
swer, for the sweet, brave face was
too much to bear, and till she left us
for that world of which she was G
part kept my word, to my own great
and lasting good.
When Graeme met me in the city a
the end of the summer, he brought me-
her love and then burst forth:
"Connor, do you know, l have jus
discovered my mother. 1 have neve
known her till this summer"
more fool you," answered, for of
ten had l, who had never known 1
mother, envied him his.
Eyes; that is true" he answered
shortly, "but you cannot see until yo1
have eyes,"
Before he set out again for the ives
I gave him a supper, asking the me-
who had been with us in the old var
sity days. l was doubtful as to tn
wisdom Of this and was persuade,
only by Graeme's eager assent to M
proposal.
Certainly; let's have Them" he said
81 shall be awfully glad to see then
Great stuff they WERE"
"But don't know, Graeme. You Sc
well, hang it-you know-you're dill
ferent, you know"
He looked at me curiously.
81 hope can still stand a good SUI
per, and if the boys can't stand m,
why, l can't help it. I'll do anythin
but roar, and don't you begin to wor
off your menagerie act. Now, you hea
mew
"Well, it is rather hard lines tha
when l have been talking up my lilo
for year and then finally secure hil
he will not roar"
SERVES you right" he replied qui
heartlessly. But I'll tell you whs
I'll DOLL feed! Don't you worry
he added soothingly. "The supper wi
CO."
And go it did. The supper was of IL
best, the wines first class. I had aske
Graeme about the wines.
"Do as you like, old man." was b
= answer. cts your supper. But"
" &C. ~. II 49,