Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-02-04

his eyes beautiful, ana see MS nrm
little muscles There's no baby like
mothers boy r she had cried, catching
him to her heart.
The little boys, having spoken to
him, went back to their mother. They
leaned upon her sfectionately, press
ing their dimpled hands against her
pretty gown. He noticed that she
did not rebuke them.
you have quite family" be re-
marked gently.
There are two more in school, |
understand"
Yes" smiled the ministers wife,
1.-TWO girls, Mary and Rachel. And
you-have son, too"
Barton Ellsworth nodded and his
face grew stern He thought Of the
professor report. Yes, he an
swered, "one-only."
The woman saw the look She took
the chubby hand of the smallest boy,
clasping it fondly. They're a great
care, she said gently, "but we have
always been so fond of our children.
Barton Ellsworth WINGED. He
thought of his great empty house, Of
it's lonely grandeur, its silent rooms
impregnated, as it were, with his
great grief. No wonder the boy did
not like to stay in them. And what
was it she had said2 Fond of her
children" The words rang in his
ears still.
Had he been fond of Basil Had
he taken the interest father ahould
have taken in an only son ? He had
left the boy to the emptiness Of the
silent house full Of the memories of
his mother, shutting himself in his
library night after night. He had
evinced no care in the lads progress,
had made no effort to win his love OF
confidence. Day after day he had
sat opposite him at meals, silent, stern
unapproachable. Was it strange,
then, under these conditions, that the
boy was about to fall? Was it to be
marveled at that he had lost heart in
his studieq?
He looked across at the minister's
little children as they clung about
their mother, and in that moment it
was shown him what parent ought
to be. "God forgive mel" he thought.
He rose suddenly. He wanted to
go home and think it all out. Tell
your husband I'll come in again" be
said, as he shook the little womans
hand. "Goodby,and-God bless youl''
The minister's v ife looked after him
a little puzzled Il wonder what
conld have moved him 80 ?" she whis-
pered. There certainly were tears
in his eyes"
That night at dinner Barton Els
worth looked at his son. How did
school go today, BASIL" he said.
The boy dropped his fork. The
question coming from the usually
silent figure opposite, startled him
A flush rose to hi. cheek.
Not very well, sir, be stammered.
IL"
"Are the studies too hard p asked
Tue hIuu fO!Ce'
No" was the answer. Il could
do them all right, but the truth is,
father, I haven't been studying"
Barton Ellsworth rose. Bring
your books into the library, Basil,
be said. Il think you and l can help |
one another He went over and
stood by him Il want my boy TO be
a good student" he said. Nothing |
short of the beet will satisfy me. l
met the professor today, my son." he
explained, "and he thinks you could !
do better if yOa really set your mind |
on it. Well zee if he isn't right.
It's partly my fault, Basil, he went
on. 1--WE neglected you. l want
my boy to forgive me will he?'
The quick tears rushed to Basil's
eyes. Don't, father T. he said in a
broken voice. "It's my fault. l
didn't study because didn't think
you cared"
Barton Ellsworth stopped and kiss
ed the boyish check. Il do care very |
much, my boy" he said.
He seemed to see again little wO-
ran with pretty children clinging to
her gown. How they loved her.
She was making success of her mis-
non, and he had come near failing in |