The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-09-16

head that he got when he fell on the
wagon fifteen year, ago. The doctor
cayn't tell how it'll come out, but he
says I'd better be up thar. Yore pa
keeps akin fer me. I cayn't refuse
i'm, George" The speaker suddenly
paused and applied her handkerchief to
her eyes.
"Well, you can go, Of course" said
George.
"Oh, kin II" she exclaimed. II was
afeard you wouldn't want me to. I'd
rather go, George. l sorter hardened
my heart agin i'm when he was stout
an well, but now he's sufferin, want
to be with 'im." She broke down and
began to cry again.
There Is nothing on earth to hinder
You," said her son, who was deeply
touched by her emotion, ''and IL you
want me to do so, I'll go, too, mother
He's my father-the only one l ever
had, and
Zone of us will be enough" said Mrs.
buckley. But, George, I've been
studyin' since got this letter. 1 never
thought OF 1t before, but 1 never
knowed yore pa to do n dishonest act
till he had that fall an hurt his head
I read in the Index t'other day whar a
good man had got lick in the head
an 1t made demon out O. him till the
doctors operated on him an cured i'm
Oh, George, 1t may be that away in
yore pas case, an them twelve men
an the judge jest sent pore sick man
Off fer what he couldn't help. 1t wasn't
managed right. Somebody ought to
"a fetched up that point. He mighty
nigh made life unbearable fer us all,
but the chain gang wasn't the place fer
a man in his condition"
She had pushed back her bonnet and
her gray eyes were flashing rebellious-
ly. George was deeply moved.
That's right, mother" he said ad-
miringly, his fine face aglow, stick to
him. I remember, when / was q very
little fellow. that he was kind and gen.
tie with me, and although he treated
me pretty badly after l grew up never
could forget that period. Yes, you
must so to him and do all you can for
his comfort. I'll pay for it,"
"Oh. George, Georgew the old WON
an cried. standing up. at don't seem
right fer you to-
II want to do It, mother" he said
simply and firmly. you must take the
night train, and remember, you are to
spare no expense"
II said felt relieved to have i'm &c
off," whimpered Mrs. Buckley. ''but
after awhile missed i'm, an eff could
n had I'm back without the RESPONSE
bility of what he'd do I'd "a been
willin'. When me n i'm got married
1t was so different. George, I'd "a
picked yore pn out Of n thousand men.
l was so proud of i'm, an was the hap
piest woman alive fer several years
after you was born. George, ef he gifts
well and serves his time out think ME
n i'm had better move off somers
whar we don't conflict with yore inter
ests. l see my duty clearer now I'll
stick to i'm fer better or worse as long
MS me or i'm lives"
George Bucklcy's head sank for an
instant, then he looked up and gaZed
ut her tenderly
There is nothing, mother, that can
keep me from being with you and him.
When his time is out we'll all live to-
gether. I've made UP my mind on that
point. He's n convict, and l want
things different, but he's my father and
you are my mother, and that settles it,"
The old woman started away. She
had reached the door, but turned back
and stood near him. George" she
said huskily. you are n good boy" and
then she slowly walked away.
She came In about the middle OF the
afternoon ready for her train, and IFS
he was walking with her to the sta
ton she surprised him with confes-
sion.
Il don't think l ort to keep back a
thing from you. George" she said. IAN
I'm goin' to tell you some'n' I did that
I don't feel right about"
"What was that, mother!"
"Georgc"-she looked up hesitating
ly, as If dreading his displeasure-"l
seed Lydia Cranston ag'in. Jest day
or two before she accepted the govern
or's invite to Atlanta she drlv out home
in her buggy an come in to see me
She didn't ax me not to tell you, but
I'm sure she wouldn't want you tC
know. She told me all about her trou
BILE, cryin' like 'er heart nd break HeI
pa was In critical condition an want
cd 'er to go, an 'er ma was dlngdong
In at 'er night an day. She didnt
say right out that she loved you. bu
her actions said it, an she knowed
understood. She don't like that mar
bit, but her pa wants 'er to marry
s i'm, an she's afeard it will kill i'm e.
she refuses. George, she aXed me righ
! out what I thought she Ort to do nm