The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-01
CHAPTER Xv. Silas Tomiin Finds Trouble.

when OllHS 1OHlHH ItdChGu DOlilIT iC found his son reading a book. No word of salutation passed between them, They had no condolences, and they seemed to have nothing in common. As matter of fact however, Silas was very fond of his son, proud of his appearance-the lad was as neat as pin, and -a:rly well-favoreo- and proud of his love for books. Unhap- pily, Silas was never able to show his af- lection and his fair-haired son never knew to his dying day how large a place he occupied in his fathers heart Miserly Silas was with money, but his love for his son was boundless. His miserlness was for his sons sake, and he never put away dollar without a feeling of evul- tation he rejolced in the ract that It would enable his son to live more com fortable than his father had cared to live.
 Silas had never by word or act, inten- tionally wounded the feelings of his son; he had never thrown himself in the path of Paul's wishes. There was a feeling in Shady Dale that Silas was permitting his son to go to the dogs whereas, as mat ter of fact, no detective was ever more alert Without seeming to do so, he kept an eye on all Paurs comings and goings. When the lads desires were reasonable, they were promptly gratified; when they were unreasonable, their qualification was postponed until they were forgotten. l Books, Paul had in abundance. Half of l the large library of Meredith Tomlin haG l fallen to Silas, and the other half to Put l laski Tomln, and the lad had free access to all.
 Paul was very fond of his Uncle Pulas- l lxi and his Aunt Fanny, and he was far more familiar with these two than he was with his father. His association with his uncle and aunt was in the nature of a 1 liberal education. Ii was Pulaski Tom 1 lin who really formed Fauls character 1 Thus it fell out that Paul was a young l man to be admired and loved by all who l find modest merit pleasing.
 When his father arrived at home on that particular evening, as has been noted. Paul was reading book. He changed his position. but said nothing. His father instead of seating himself at the table, and consulting his notebook, walked up and down the floor.
 What is wrong? Are you ill?' Paul asked after awhile.
 NO, son; but I'm greatly troubled. I wish to heaven I could go back to the beginning, and tell you all about it; but can't-I just can't"
 Paul also had his troubles, and he re- garded his father gloomily enough. "Why can't you tell me?' he asked, somewhat impatiently. But I needn't ask you that: you never tell me any thing. l heard something today that made me ashamed"
 Ashamed, Paul?" gasped the father
 "Yes-ashamed. And if 1t is true, l am going away from here ana never show my face again." .-4 frr'f
 Silas, fell. rather than leaned against the mantel-piece, his, face ghastly white. He tried to gay. What did you hear, Paul?" His lips moved, but no sound is- sued from his throat.
 Two or three persons told me today Paul went on, that they had heard of your intention to join the radicals, and run for the legislature. l told each and every one of them that 1t was an in- 1 fernal lie; but I don't know whether il l is a lie or not If 1t isn't I'll leave here. "
 Slas Tomlin's heart had been In his throat as the saying is but he, gulped fl down again and smiled faintly. If this was all Paul had heard we'll and good. | At last Sias spoke: All the truth 1T that report, Paul, Is this-1t has been sug- | gested to me that 1t would be better for the whites here if some one who aympa- tbizes with their plans and understands 1 their inter ests, should pretend to become I a republican, and make the race for the | legislature. This is what some of our l best men think. Have you met MT. Hotchkiss? He seems to be very clever man." isyf | NO. I haven't met him and don't want to meet him" Paul rose from his sea' and stood facing his father. He was a likely-loolking young man. tall and slim 1 but broad-shouldereds He had the deli 1 cate pink complexion that belongs tc l haired persons. This Is question 1 father, that cant be discussed between us You beat about the bush in such 2 way as to compel me to believe the re- l ports I have heard Well, you can do as 1 you like you may disgrace yourself, bu you shan't disgrace me-
 With that the high-strung young fel low seized his hat, and flung out of tn, house.
 Silas Tomin sank into a chair. as ht heard the street-door slammed. "Disgrac. l him. My God! I've already disgracet him. and when he finds it out he'll hat, me-"
 An inner door opened and a negro wo man peeped in. Seeing no one but Silas she cried out indignantly, Who da slammn' dat front dof Toull breai eve'y glass In de house. an half de crock | 'ry-ware in de dinin' room, an den you'll
 
 Ut was Paul. Rhody; he was angr, about something"
 The negro woman gave an indignan snort. q don't blame 'im-I don't blam i'm; not one bit. Amt l been tellin' vol dat you'd run i'm off wid yo' scrimpin an pinchin? But, tain't dat dat run't | i'm off It's sump'n wuss'n dat. He ain I never done dat way befo.'
 | Rhody came into the room where sh' could look Silas in the eyes He regard ed her with curiosity which appeared t, be the only emotion left him. Certainly he had never seen his cook and afore time slave in such a tantrum. Rhody indignation could only be accounted fo on the ground that she had overheard tn, whole conversation between father ant | son.
 Blast you black hide! I'll knock you | brains out if you talk that way to me!' | exclaimed Silas Tomlin, white With anger You drafted fooll you know Paul hasn' | gone for good. He'll come back when Il, gets hungry and be glad to come.-
 '1s you ever seed him do dis away be fo' sence he been born? No, you ain't no, you ain't! You don't know no mo
 bout dat chile dan eff he want yone. Bu