The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-12-10

but prepared to meet my father and
John Adams-particularly the latter.
4 long walk alone on a country road
I had always found favorable condi.
ton for solving any problem which
perplexed me. but to-day my specific
failed to produce its usual effect: ]
was unable to shape or in any way ad-
eauately realize the results which
might follow the doing of that which
had returned to England to do. and
when I turned into the patch which led
up to the Hall my mind was scarcely
more clear than the sky above me
now more than ever dark. but emit.
ting frequent flashes Of lightning.
On entering the house I was told by
q servant that my father and Mr..
wolsey were together in the study.
and went there to them ut once with
out ceremony. Both were unfeignedly
pleased at my return, my grandfather
regarding me with much curiosity. and
expressing his pleasure at my increased
height and apparent health.
ITO think that fve years should
make such a dinerence~ exclaimed
my grandfather. "When I left Erol.
denhurst you were q mere boy; now
you are almost man"
"Not gutter I asked.
"well. hardly" said my grandfather.
"a fellow.passenger Of mine. q clever
old fellow who came from Sydney to
England with me. used to say there
was no man under thirty years Of age" !"
"Your friend is wrong" I replied.
"a large part Of the worlds best work
has been done BY men when they were
less than thirty. For my part. I am
convinced that my Judgment in gen.
eral matters is as sound as it will ever
be. and shouldn't hesitate in making
unassisted decisions In all matters re.
lating to myself"
Mr.. Wolsey seemed q little discon.
certed by my vigorous reply, and
looked inquiringly at my father. but
the latter. affecting not to notice 1t,
turned the conversation by asking II
I had pleasant voyage to England.
"A very pleasant voyage. indeed" !
replied; mo such storm as this either
going or returning'-for at that mo.
ment the rain was lashing against the
windows with tremendous force. and
thunder and lighting were almost con-
slant.
II was just completing an arrange
ment with your grandfather" said my
father. speaking slowly. as he turned
over q number Of leases and agree
ments which lay piled upon his desk
In front Of him. mr. Wolsey has
agreed to settle down at Holdenhurst,
though not as my tenant. As you
know, ! have no less than four farms
at present vacant. and as soon as Mr..
Cooper goes shall have another. To
look for an agricultural tenant In these
times IL like seeking for the philcso.
piers stone. 90 I have offered y)ur
grandfather bis old house (it has re.
mained empty ever since he left III
and small salary. and he has under.
taken to superintend the cultivation OF
my tenantless farms. What With bad
seasons and the low prices at which
foreign agricultural produce is put
upon our markets, the farmers are
really in desperate straits, and It's difh'
cult to see what the end of II all will
be. Nothing but duty on the impor'
tation Of corn. or q European war. car
save them from ruin. Mr.. Fuller him
self admits as much. though he doesn't
see his way clear to pray for either OF
those things. OF course you are glad
that your grandfather is to be near us
again"
"Most assured!y I am. and"
added with sudden outburst of cour
age-"I am very pleased that he has
accomplished the purpose which occa
stoned his going away. How is my
cousin Annie?"
Ny grandfather seemed surprised Al
my question and remained silent
while my father glanced uncomforta
bly, at Us both.
rs she quite well?" I inquired again
Poor Annie Is better In health thar
reputation" said my father after q
pause. answering for Mr.. Wolsey. "a
am sorry to say It. but my brother l.
heartless villain. I never though
he was 80 black as he Is"
"And don't think he il 30 black a.
some people regard him." / answered
with unguarded warmth. rs It MOI
possible uncle Sam may be able t.
urge some consideration which will
extenuate the fact that he took Annie
away without her fathers consent
Besides, Annie Is old enough to know
the consequences Of her acts"
did your uncle tell you to say tha
to us?" asked my two companions b
4 breath.
mo. indeed, he did not; nor did he sug
sest any such ideas to me. I speal
only for myself"
Then / am sorry. Ernest. that yor
have no clearer ideas Of right an(
wrong" said my father.
"Oh, rs to that. different people view
a matter differently. Even II a maj
were convicted Of a particular offenc,
/ should not regard that fact as proc
of his guilt Of another and totally diff
ferent offence. but there are peopl,
whose ideas Of right and wrong permi
them to reason So"
Ifelt strongly for my uncle Sam. an,
could NOT hear the man who had beel
so extraordinarily kind to me abuse,
without q feeling Of indignation. A