The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-12-03

10 al lppciIauCeo ooAoIAJ AASA1 49,
decd have been his Every best girl' or
perhaps his sister, but surely not his
mother. She had preserved her youth
full looks to q degree that is beyond the
credence Of the reader, so that shall
not attempt to state the truth about It.
When she was thirty, the Tunbridge
people spoke Of her with wonder, ana
she looks younger now than she did
then.
Donaldson, upon the other hand, has
aged greatly. He is a worrying man,
am afraid, and must always be so.
Moreover, he received peculiar in
jury some years ago, when an old fac
tory building which we bought from
the Strobel estate collapsed while
dozen Of our workmen were inspect
ing it with view to ascertaining its
needs. Donaldson was the first to per-
ceive the peril, and it is said that he
sustained mass Of falling timbers in.
the posture of Atlas long enough
to. permit several Of his companions to
crawl out to safety who would other
wise have been shut in. A maze Of
tradition has grown up around this in
cident, but it really involved nothing
more than a very ready and brave use
Of great physical strength. Though he
escaped broken bones or any specific
hurt to which the best Of doctors could
give location or name, he was never
the same man afterward. He began
to stoop in the shoulders and to move
more slowly, and upon his forty-sec-
ond birthday his hair was as white as
mine.
He was morbidly sensitive about the
change in his looks, though he had
come by it so honorably, and I have
seen tears in his eyes when strangers
have spoken of Dorothy as his daugh-
ter. I think that he had always held
too high an idea Of youth. 1t Is COM
mon fault and was exaggerated in him
by his love, Of Dorothy, who would not
grow old. She seemed to stand still
while he was dragged onward in the
grip Of time. This is the natural sor-
row of women, but one which men are
rarely called upon to bear.
When Donald came home that June
day, his father was busy about some
matter Of immediate Importance, and
so the boy and walked down to the Of
fee, as we call it, separate building
upon the other side Of the street from
the factory. was witness Of q most
affectionate greeting. Donaldson was
very proud Of his son, as he had every
reason to be, and the boy loved him
heartily. Afterward Donald paid his
respects to the Office staff, especially to
cid Jim Bum, our cashier, and his
crippled assistant, Tim Healy, some
times called Tiny Tim, youth who sat
on a very high stool and kept the hand
soonest set Of books in the state Of New
jersey.
I lost sight Of Donald for q little
while and subsequently discovered him
in nv private Office. He was sitting in
my chair, with his head thrown back
and his clasped hands pressed hard
across his eyes. asked him what was
the matter, and he started up and be-
gan to walk around the room in Pc
culiar, aimless fashion.
ssUncle John," said he at last "eVery'
thing is all right, isn't it? You're not
worried or anxious"
"Anxious?" said l. Certainly not.
What should be anxious about?"
81 don't know" said he, with hesita'
ton. perhaps I oughtn't to have ask
ed you the question"
"Ask me whatever you please, my
boy" said I.
He resumed his restless wandering
about the room.
81 wish 1 knew what to do," he said
at last 81 feel very uneasy"
sIn regard to what?" I inquired.
''That's just the point" he replied
"What is It all about? I don't know"
He had despondert and tormented
air, and the sight Of it carried me back
a good many years to the day when
had first seen his father. It was I'M
possible tc shake my mind free Of this
memory. The scene Of long ago IN
Bertram's eating house recurred with
startling vividness.
I was aware Of a strange sensation
that this was something for which I
had been waiting-a long expected oc-
currence. There came to me also an
indescribable depression Of spirit and
sense Of chill.
"Do you mean began. But he
begged me hastily not to ask him any.
thing.
This is a queer business, Uncle
john" said he. 81 think I'm on the
point Of getting myself into all kinds
of q tangle, and I don't want to do it
the very first day I'm home. Please
let me think it over"
Speak when you are ready, Donald"
said I. "It was always habit Of
yours"
We were interrupted by the advent
Of Dorothy, who had come down from
the house in q pony phaeton. She wore
a sober gray gown, but it had the dain-
ty grace Of all her raiment. Dorothy
never takes any pains to dress either
young or old. Her clothes are for Dor
othy. They would not suitAnybodJ
else, and they have nothing to do with
years.
Donald surveyed her with affection
ate admiration.
'My incredible mother" said he,
drawing her close to him and looking
down into her face.
Then saw the tears come suddenly
into his eyes. He drew a quick, deep
breath and stood sharply erect, so that
he seemed to grow both in breadth and
height, while she looked almost like
frightened child in the embrace Of his
arm.
BE carefulw she cried, with q gasp
and a laugh. "You will break my
bonesp'
"Did hurt you, little mother" said
he. "Well, by the same token, nobody