The Irish standard., 1904-08-20
THE FAMILY
DIPLOMA T%
by JULIA TRUITr BISHOP
tcopynght, 1901, by DAILY stor. Puh. o.,

(Copytght, 1901. by Daily Story Pub. Coz
F there was anything in the world
of which Mr.. Donald Farley, New
Galena, La, hardware merchant and
millionaire, knew with a definite
knowledge, 1t was that he could man.
age his son with greater dizziness 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 ex,
pected to know much about managing
him. In exactly the same tone Mr..
Farley sometimes told her. when she
ventured to make 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 It was on
this particular morning, when young
Tom, having asked for a few minutes
conversation in the study, had then
and there upset all his fathers plans
and calculations for Is years.
"But why? But why?" demanded
the old man, raging up and down the
limited space. eff you even had rea-
son for it-but there you sit, like a
mummy, sir, and say over and over
that you don't care to go into the bust
ness, and that you are going out west!
What do you think / have been educat-
Ing you for, sir?-to go out there and
dig in the mines, to chase cattle and ride
bronking buckos?" The old man had
said this in his wrath, and was not
really responsible; therefore it was
very wrong for Tom to grin; but his
face was gloomy the next moment.
I'm awfully sorry 1 have disap.
pointed you," he said, apologetically.
But l don't see anything else for it..
l must go-I am going to get out of
the country at some rate. You can
easily get some one else into the bust.
ness that will do better work than I
was likely to do"
Don't be an idiot" said the old
man, f1ercely. "This year that you
have been in the place shows what
you could do If you tried. I could
have left the whole thing in your
hands after while-I wanted to make
you partner next year-and now you
play the fool and galiop off, without
even the ghost of a reason! Great
Scott don't know what man raises
his children for, anyhow! Well, when
do you propose to start? Don't delay
on my account! wouldn't detain you
for the world!"
II hadn't thought of going so soon,
but now think I'll get off to-day-on
the II o'clock train," said the young
man, modify. II might as we'll get
1t over with. I'm sorry, father-hon-
estly, am. I've got my traps packed
I'll send up after them. Good-by,
father-you're not going down to the
office this morning?-I'll write as soon
as 1 get settled anywhere. 1 wish I'd
turned out differentiation 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 few
years older than himself, was working
with some flowers at the window, and
turned the brown eyes upon him with
earnest contemplation.
II have heard it all. Tom," she said,
with little sigh, holding out a slim
hand that had a firm clasp which made
people remember her. II won't ask
you what the reason is, for if you
won't tell your father 1 am sure you
wouldn't tell me. Whatever it is, I'm
sure it's right-and I want you to sue
coed. But we shall miss you very
much-and If you should think it over
afterward-and should think that you
might come back-that you had any
possible excuse for coming back, 1 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.
She'shook hands with him again and
stood, motionless while he went out Of
the room and down the long hall and
out of tho house. Then, all at once,
she flew rather than fastened, to the
telephone, which hung by the door.
"Is that exchanged" the voice Of the
insect seemed to be saying. "Yes?-
Give me 1881. please.-Oh, Mrs. Down
ing, is that you?-Is Gertie 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's
no news-Oh, no. just wanted to ask
you for that sleeve pattern-send vii.
lie over with it tomorrow, won't you?
SO sweet Of you!-Say, Gertie
II almost forgot to tell you about
Tom-oh, he's; going away, somewhere
out west-a thousand miles from
everywhere. Yes - rather sudden
leaves on the II o'clock-and it's near
1y half past ten, now. Oh, his fathers
awfully disappointed, but I think it
will beea great thing for Tom-so many
opportunities for young man out
there, you know.-Oh, of course, there
are dangers in life like that. Yes
such. rough class of people-and they
all carry pistols. I've heard-and hui
man life isn't worth anything out
there-but, no doubt, Tom'll do we'll.
Didn't tell you?-on the II o'clock.
oh, not at ALL am telephoning to
all his friends-of course they would
all want to know.-What's that-
What time?-oh. it's just Is minutes
past ten-I think the dining.room
clocks right. Still in your wrapper?
oh, how indolent-and it takes you
an age to dress!-Yes, of course.
Good-by"
Me-, yT,.4,,.,t