Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-10-12

1Ou6 TO cnange the SUBJECT, ne tuTueu
to Waiter. 81 need not ask whose
boy this is?"
at Is my oldest son, Walter. He is
just about the same age that we were
when We used to go to school together
in dear old Bridgeville. Have you
forgotten all about those days, John?"
Whether 1t was these words. or the
sight Of that fresh, innocent face, that
caused 1t, could not be told, but for a
few moments Jackson struggled silent
ly with the tender and subduing rec
elections that rushed over him; then
breaking down utterly he covered his
face with his hands.
Walter had meyer seen a man weep
before, and his means were some
thing he never forgot.
II wish could!n said the wretched
man, lifting up mis- pale, teanstained
face. 81 wish / could forget what l
once was, and what am! some
times think that 1. is horrible
dreams: that 1 shall some day awake
and And 1t sol"
How did, 1t happen?" inquired, Mr..
Palmer, as soon as his companion was
calmer. when last. saw you, your
prospects were bright-apparently,
brighter than mine"
ut can be summed up in two
words" was the gloomy response:
"Idleness and bad company. If my
father had trained me to habits Of
Industry and self-reliance, had not
come to this. But he loved me; and
glad am l that the grave has hid
from him all knowledge of the shame
and misery of the son, whom his ILL
Judged, short-sighted kindness ruined.
AS you know, l would not study; l
thought there was no need for me-
a rich mans son-to do that. l can
remember how l despised the dull,
plodding fellows, who are honored
men to-day. My fathers death put
me into the possession Of wealth, Of
which 1 never earned dollar, and
OF whose use and worth knew moth
ing. How 1t went l hardly knew; but
l awoke one morning to find myself
| roorer tban +ba lou,ect clark in the
astah,tshmant that INV sotbar hn,l+ nm
a,,.h 80 mnoh oora ond lahor hui
which had now passed into the hands
of strangers. My fair-weather friends,
who had helped spend my money, urg-
ing me to every conceivable folly and
extravaganza, left as soon as they
fn,,5iH fha4 khara vyoo No ymnra RI
snand3 snaa no.htn. ahont vat+;n,
st Sect -.srL INT l,.,c,,y
must nave; 30 turned my attention
70 the various ways OF getting money
witnout WORK. Inc rest needs no Tell
'ng.
Here the warden entered; and with
his heart somewhat cheered and
strengthened by Mr.. Palmer's whis-
pered words of encouragement and
sympathy. Jackson returned to his
dreary task.
The warden now took them around
through the various workshops, cells,
ct cetera. kindly explaining to Walter
all that he did not understand.
When they visited the workshop,
Walter saw Jackson. sitting there
among the rows Of busy, silent men,
not .one OF whom dared to lift his
eyes as they passed by.
How many Of these men," inquired
Mr.. Palmer, as they returned to the
onace, have ever been trained to any
useful trade or business?"
Not one in ten"
The spirited bays, in their glitter
Ing harness, were champing their bits
and tossing their heads impatiently
outside the high walls; and Walter
experienced feeling of relief as he
found himself once more out in the
pure, sweet aid and bright sunshine.
How dreadful 1t must be to have
to live In such q place as that" ne
said, as reaching an eminence he gave
backward glance at the building
which looked SO grim and solitary in
the distance.
1T is the necessity that is dreadful,
my son. Miserable as these men are,
they are happier there, where they
arc obliged to be orderly and industri-
Gus, though only through the fear Of
punishment, than If they were allowed
to follow, unrestrainedy, the devices
of their foolish and evil hearts,"
There was silence for some minutes.
a question, yesterday, Walter, and this
is my answer-a better answer than
words can frame. The world calls
ne rich man, and so ! am. l am
able to afford you many advantages,
all the opportunity you can ask for
moral and mental culture, but | am
not, l shall never be. rich enough to
afford to have you idle. Strange as
1t may seem, am too rich to afford 1t.