The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-06-19
THE FAMILY DIPLOMAT.
By Julia Txuitt Bishop. Copyright, 1904. by Daily Short Story
 PublishingR Col

Copyright. 1904. by Daily Short Story
 Publishingg Co.)
 If there was anything in the world of which MT. Donald Farley. New Ga- lena. La. hardware merchant and mill honaire. knew with a definite knowl- edge. it was that he could manage his son with greater deftness and skill than any other person in the world could have brought to that task. He often took occasion to inform his wife of that fact; who, being only the boys stepmother. could not be expected to know much about managing him. In exactly the same tone MT. Fairley sometimes told her. when she ventured to make a suggestion about business, that she would do better to confine her attention to embroidery. He had never told his son, young Tom Farley, the same thing. but if he had ever felt tempted to do so 1t was on this partic- ular morning. when young Tom. hav- ing asked for a few minutes converse ton in the study. had then and there upset all his fathers plans and calcu- lations for 25 years.
 ''But why? But whyT demanded the old man. raging up and down the linn tied space. If you even had reason for it--but there you sit. like mummy
 
 don't care to go into the business. and that you are going out westl What do you think I have been educating you for, sir?-to go out there and dig in the mines, alongside of raw Irish and Chinese-to chase cattle and ride bronking buckos?" The old man had said this in his wra.L. and was not really responsible; therefore 1t was very wrong for Tom to grin: but his face was gloomy the next moment.
 'TmawfuIly sorry have disappoint- ed you" he said. apologetically. But I don't see anything else for it. must go-I am going to get out of the country at some rate. You can easily get someone else into the business that will do better work than l was likely to do."
 Don't be an idiot!" said the old man. fiercely. This year that you have been in the place shows what you could do if you tried. could have left the wholo thirg ir your hands after while-I wanted to make you partner next year-and now you play the fool and gallop off. without the ghost of reason! Great Scott--I don't know what a man raises his children for, anyhow! We'll. when do you propose to start? Don't delay on my account! I wouldn't detain you for the world!
 "I hadn't thought of going so soon, but new think + get off today-on the Il o'clock train said the young man. moodily. "I might as we'll get 1t over with. I'm sorry. father-honestly I am. I've got my traps packed-Ill send up after them. Good-by, father you're not going down to the office this morning?- write as soon as I get settled anywhere. I wish I'd turned out differently for your sake"
 He left his father sitting in the study with his head on his hand and passed through the curtained doorway into the dining room. A quiet, brown eyed. self-contained woman. but a few years older than himself was working with some flowers at the window, and turned the brown eyes upon him with earnest contemplation.
 "I have heard 1t all. Tom" she said with a little sigh. holding out slim hand that had a firm clasp which made people remember her. T won't ask you what the reason is, for if you won't tell your father I am sure you won't tell me. Whatever 1t is, I'm sure it's right-and I want you to succeed. But we shall miss you very much-and 1T you should think 1t over afterward- and should think that you might come back-that you had any possible ex- cuse for coming back, I do hope you will come. Will you promise me that. Tom?"
 "Oh. there's not likely to be any ex- cuse," he said. hastily and grimly. "Good-by, little motner-I owe you lot-more than I could tell in year Try to make 1t right with father-but don't let him think 1t isn't fnal-for 1t is."
 Sho shock hands with him again and stood mottonless while he went out ot the room and down the long hall and out of the house. Then, all at once, she flew rather than hastened, to the telephone, which hung by the door. The old man, still sitting where his son had left him, heard half of telephone conversation which irrtated him like the persistent d; onirs 0t pitiless in- sect.
 "Is that exchange?" the voice of the insect seemed (" he saying. "YesT- Give me 2631, please.-Oh, Mrs. Down" ing. is that you?-Is GCrtie there?- Yes-tell her to hurry please-tell her I'm in a great hurry. Oh, Gertie-how do you feel this morning?-No-there no news-Oh, no-I just wanted to ask