Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-21
DRAMA IN REAL LIFE

overdrawn. Here Is little absolutely true
story, the latter part of which. II found in
the pages of a sensational novel or seen
upon the stage. would be called impossible
or strained or STACEY or forced, or what not
Sixteen years ago very young Washing
ton mamie was nineteen years of age at
the time-married girl in one of the mid
die western states He was private secre-
tary to United States senator at the
time. and he met the girl while residing at
the home of the senator during an interval
between sessions of Congress. He brought
his young wife to Washington, where, after
q year or So boy baby was born. The
young man. soon after his marriage, quit
the service of the senator and entered one
of the government departments in Wash
ington.
From Washington, after year or so, he
went to the northwest to enter the employ
of railroad, taking his wife and child with
him. While living in Portland, Ore, the
young man and his wife had quarrel
which. because of its nature. could not be
made UP. 1t is not necessarily part of
the story to set forth which of the two,
the man or the wife, was in error. AS a
hint in that Direction. however. it may be
stated that when the separation came the
man was entitled to the custody of his in
FAINT boy. But he felt sorry for the mother
and did not feel like taking the child from
her. He was passionately fond of the
take him from his mothers arms, as the
law gave him the right to do.
He quit the northwest and returned to the
east. where, after good many years. he
re-entered the employ of the government.
He married again, and his second marriage,
though childless has been very happy
one.
He heard. indirectly, of his former wife
and his son for a number of years. One of
the stories that reached him was that his
first wife had married a man living in San
Francisco. Through all Of the years he
had his son in mind. hoping to be able to
claim him at some time IL the situation
should ever frame itself In way to make
that plan feasible. But he never clapped
an eye on the boy. and could only remember
MIN as baby under two years of age.
Three or four years ago he was sent to
one of the island possessions of the United
States to the Pacific ocean, where he took
up the duties of responsible federal posi-
ton A couple OF months ago he was re-
called to take a position In the same de-
partment in American city, and while in
San Francisco, on the way to Washingt on,
he determined to make a search for his boy
After five days of hunting around he fin
ally located the youngster and his mother.
He rang the bell of the boarding house at
which his former wife and her second hus-
band and the boy were living and was ush-
cred into the parlor. where his former wife
happened to be sitting with her husband
after dinner. The woman, of course rec
ognized him instantly, but. being a woman
OF perfect Self-control she accepted the sit
uation calmly She shook hands with him
and then said to her husband: John this
Is my first husband"
The two men shook hands. They had never
met before and there was of course no
antipathy between them, as. indeed. there
was no reason why there should have been.
They talked for some time about everyday
matters, and then the woman put in:
You Will be wanting to see the boy of
course"
Yes said the man. Where is he? How
is he?" and the hunger to see the lad was
strong upon him.
He's at ranch in Napa county" re-
piled the boys mother, but he will be back
tomorrow morning.
II may call tomorrow afternoon and see
him, then?" said the man.
Certainly, replied the boys mother,
shooting glance at her husband. however.
Her husband looked flushed and worried.
He followed the father of the boy into the
hall when he was taking his departure
Il want to ask you,' said the boys STEP
father, II you have any idea of claiming
your SOM"
Not in the least" replied the boys
father. I'D like to have him. of course.
but l made my decision as to that years
ago and 1 am not going to change 1t now.
when he supposes you to be his father.
That's his idea. isn't it?" - ID, !.
Yes. replied the step-father, che thinks
am his father. And I would hate to have
him think any other way. 1 am perfectly
you're not going to claim him there'II be no
need for you to tell him that I'm not his
dad, will there?''
No" replied the boys father. st won't
On the following afternoon the boys
father was again ushered into the parlor of
the boarding house. The servant took his
name to the floor above and presently he
was ushered upstairs, where those whom
he sought had a suite Of rooms on the sec
ond floor.
The step-father and the mans former wife
greeted him at the door. and when he en-
tered he saw good-looking but somewhat
lndfnerent-appearing boy standing at one
of the front windows, looking out The
boy was extremely well built for a lad of
hfteen. and handsome in spite of his hobble-
dehoy age.
This" said his mother to the bow. an
Producing the visitor. SIS a very old friend {"
and she turned away to hide a certain look
or PAIN IN her face The boys step father
looked anxious and embarrassed, too.
The boy stepped forward and shook hands
rather dif1dently with the visitor. who. by
the way, has very boyish, youthful-look-
ing race, ana who doesn't seem to be any
thing like his thirty-six years. While shak-
ing hands the boy looked into his fathers
face. and then something struck him
why. SIR he said, good-naturedly, I'VE
look alike, don't wer' for the Resemblance
was extraordinary.
Why, yes, son. we seem to- said the
man. holding himself In with great effort
at self-represSion. E,ut the, resemblance had
only passing suggestiveness for the boy.
The acute moment soon passed and then
the talk among the four became general.
After a time the boy became bored. nal
pably. He seemed to be unable to stife
his yawns.
Il think I'll run out and see If I can find
some of the foot ball fellows, mother" said
the boy, picking up his cap. In passing his
father he held out his hand perfunctorily
enough. saying, Glad to have known YOU.
sir" and darted out of the room There
was dumb aching in the fathers heart as
the boy disappeared out of the door
After while the man took his departure
AS he was walking through the San Fran
cisco night fog toward the car that would
take him to his hotel he bumped into his
son.
Hello, there. son." he said to the boy.
Getting homer"
oh. the gentleman that looks like me
yes, sir. I'm getting in now" replied the
youngster, cheerily. "Foggy. isn't it?''
Have you got watch, my boy?'' in
CURED the man of his son.
mo, sir" replied the lad, ''but I'm work
Ing Saturdays and saving up for one and
I'm going to"
We'll, here's a watch and chain for you.
son" said the man. he unfastened his
own fine gold timepiece and chain from his