The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1905-12-06
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.
TlHE next morning. after his, re.
s%sss% 'ss" '1s% rsst 4's"" a; Gss'ss 'ss %st
49, house.
Brought yore mother In with me-"
he said. IL left 'er up Mt the postoffice
rcadin' n letter. She'll be down direct
ly. missed you ut the reunion. but l
heard you was OH hand. Lord, I missed
the sidewalk. they tell me! met some
old friends that kept me full to the
neck through the whole business. 7
couldn't toot my bugle."
'That's one way to celebrate" George
said, with a smile, as Truitt was turn
ing away.
A few minutes later Mrs. Buckley
came into the office. She wore check
ed glngham sunbonnot and 1t was
pulled we'll down over her face. In
her hand she held letter. BY her
silence and agitatcd manner George
knew she had received unpleasant
news. He placed chair for her near
his desk and resumed his own seat,
wondering what could have happened.
"You have letter from father" he
said tentatively.
Not from him. George, but It's from
up thar. It's from the prison doctor"
She was silent moment, then she
continued: "Yore pas bad Off, George.
The doctor thinks he's had serious at
tack. It's that old hurt place In his
head that he got when he fell Off the
wagon fifteen year ago. The doctor
cayn't tell how it'll come out, but he
says I'd better be up thar. Yoro ,pa
keeps akin fer me. I cayn't refuse
i'm, George" The speaker suddenly
paused and applied her handkerchief to
her eyes.
"Well. you can go, Of COURSE" said
George.
"Oh, kin I?' she exclaimed. II was
afeard you wouldn't want me to. I'd
| rather go, George. l Sorter hardened
my heart .agin i'm when he was stout
an well, but now he's sufferln', 4 want
J TO be with 'im." She broke down and
began to cry again.
'There Is nothing OH earth to hinder
you." said her son. who was deeply
| touched by her emotion, "and If you
want me to do SO, III go, too, mother
| He's my fnthcr-the only one I ever.
| had, and"-
Zone Of us will be enough" said Mrs.
| Buckley. But, George, I've bcen
studyin' since got this letter. never
thought of it before, but never
knowed yore pm to do dishonest act
till he had that fall an hurt his head.
I read In the Index t'other day whar q
good man had got lick In the head
an 1t made demon out O. him till the
doctors operated OH him an cured i'm.
Oh. George, 1t may be that Away In
yore pas case, an them twelve men
an the Judge jest sent pore sick man
Off fer what he couldn't help. 1t wasn't
managed right. Somebody ought to
"a fetched up that point. lie mighty
nigh made life unbearable fer us all,
but the chain gang wasn't tho place fer
man In his condition."
She had pushed back her bonnet and
her gray eyes were flashing rebellious-
ly. George was deeply moved.
THAT'S right, mother" he said nd
mirngly, his fine face aglow, 'stick to
him. l remember, when I was a very
little fellow, that he was kind and gen.
tie with me, and although he treated
me pretty badly after grew up never
could forget thnt period. Yes, you
must go to him and do al you can for
his comfort. III pay for IT,"
"Oh, George, George" the old woln-
an cried, standing up. ut don't seem
right fer you to-
II want to do 1t, mother" he said
simply and firmly. "You must take the
night train, and remember, you arc to
spare no expense"
said felt relieved to have I'm no
OIL "h'mpered Mrs. Buckley. but
aiter awhile missed i'm, an ef could
"a had I'm back without the rcsponsi.
pliity OF what he'd do I'd "a been
wlllin'. When me N i'm got married
II was 80 different. George. ia "a
picked yore pm out OF n thousand men,
was 80 proud of i'm, an was the hnp.
piest woman alive fer several veora
after you was born. George Of he gita
wen and serves his time out l think ma
n I'm had better move Off aomer,
Whar we don't conflict with yore inter.
ests. 1 SEQ my duty clearer now ~,
stick to i'm fer better or worse ma, lorg
as me or i'm lives" "
! George Buckley's head san,e FOR =,
i instant, then he looked I'd and ,osvn,
: ut her tenderly.
There Is nothing, mother. that ean
Keep me from being with you and him.
'l%When his time Is out we'li ali live 70.
Ecther. I've made up my mind on thot
point. He's convict. and I want
things different. but he's my father and
you are my mother, and that settles n"
The old woman started away. sho
had reached tho door, but turned bae,e
and stood near him. George" sba
said huskily. "you are good boy" and
then she slowly walked away.
She came In about the middle OF tho
'afternoon ready Tor her train, and as
he WAS walking with her To tho ata.