Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-01-21

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
flee, as we call it, a separate building
upon the other side of the street from
the factory. l was witness of 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 i'm. a youth who sat
on very high stool and kept the hand
soonest set of books in the state of New
Jersey.
lost sight OF Donald for a little
while and subsequently discovered him
in my 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 a pc
culiar. aimless fashion.
Uncle 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?"
II don't know" said he. with hesita-
ton. Perhaps oughln't to have ask
ed you the question"
ASK me whatever you please, my
boy" said l.
He resumed his restless wandering
about the room.
II wish | knew what to do" he said
at last II feel very uneasy"
'1l regard TO WHAT" inquired.
'That's just the point" ne replied.
What is 1t all about? don't know"
He had desponGent and tormented
air, and the sight of it carried me back
good many years to the day when
had first seen his father. 1t was i'm
possible to shake my mind free Of this
memory. The scene of long ago in
Bertraln's eating house required with
startling vividness.
was aware of strange sensation
that this was something for which
had been waiting-a long expected oc-
currence. There came to me also an
indescribable depression of spirit and a
sense of chill.
do you mean began. But he
begged me hastily not to ask him any,
thing.
This is queer business, Uncle
john" said he. Il think I'm on the
point of getting myself into all kinds
of tangle, and 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 1. 1T was always n habit of
yours"
We We're interrupted by the advent
Of Dorothy, who had come down from
the house in pony phaeton. She wore
sober gray gown, but it had the dam
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 suit anybody
else, and they have nothing to do with
years.
Donald surveyed her with affection
ate admiration.
my incredible mother!" said he,
down into her face.
Then saw the tears come suddenly
into his eyes. He drew quick, deep
breath and stood sharply erect, SO that
he seemed to grow both in breadth and
height, while she looked almost like q
frightened child in the embrace Of his
arm.
BE carefulI she cried, with gasp
and laugh. You will break my
bonesv'
did hurt you, little mother" said
he. "Well, by the same token, nobody
else ever SHALL"
ITO what do we owe the honor OF
this visit" l asked Dorothy. and she
replied that she had come to take my
nephew, Carleton Archer, across to the
town of Solway, where our other fac
tory was situated. Archer was an
able, energetic and ambitious young
man who had been brought into my
service about two years before to be
Donaldson's assistant and tighten his
burdens. He lived at my house and
was the leading spirit in all our recre-
atoms. He was blessed with unfailing
activity Of mind and body. He could
both work and play at the same time.
Often he has come to me at midnight
with business plans that he had
thought out during the evening, an
evening devoted to ceaseless gayety of
the somewhat childish sort in which
he found his chief delight and relaxa-
ton. He was an enthusiast for the
gentler forms of athletics, such as wo-
men may indulge in, and as a result
Of his efforts there were tennis courts
upon our lawn and golf links on the
south slope of the hill.
After Dorothy and Carl had ridden
away in the phaeton Donald remained
with me until luncheon time. when he
and his father and walked up to the
house together. The boy was not quite
himself, rs any one could see, and
was consumed with curiosity to know
what lay on his mind, but experience
taught me to ignore the subject.
Donald spent the afternoon with his
mother, who returned from Solway,
which was only matter of five miles
distant, in time for luncheon. In the
evening he disappeared, and 1 found
IN ~G