Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-03

up the stone l really thought he was
dead. 1t Lad been so long. And |
might have married and been big
amistr' she fiared at the tramp, who
stood In downcast silence. Il might
have been married this minute. could
have been What them.
IF you'd been married again, Har-
riet-I didn't think you would, though
but il you had I'd never let you know
was alive And don't mean to bur
den you. There's lots of work in me
ret" he quavered
"You don't look it, and there was
never any too much at your best. but
Of course you've got to stay | guess
he can do crrands and mind the boy,
johnny
John shook hands heartily with his
unfamiliar father, whom he could not
remember, introduced his wife and ex-
hibited the child named for his sup
posed defunct grandfather.
you've got to clean up and shave
and have that shay of hair clipped.
There's some of your old buds upstairs,
decent ones" Mrs. Spencer laid down
the law, then turned to John again. Il
expect it'll raise great racket, selling
the tombstone and all, and | couldn't
have sold it If hadn't recognized him
last night, Johnny. Dear knows what
folks'll say" She flashed scorn at the
prodigal, who dropped shamefacedly,
but with a twinkle in his eyes.
"I've got some things at the depot, "
he explained meekly when she stopped.
Things. | didn't know tramps car,
ried baggage" she snorted.
I'm not a professional tramp; only
in the way of running from Dan to
Beersheba. That was always my fail
ing, you know, Harriet. But I'm get
ting
you're getting too old and worn out
to stand it, else you likely wouldn't
have come home now" she interrupted
little bitterly.
"You always had good heart, Har
riet," he said gratefully. Il would go
that last time, but | thought ! was in
for a good thing in mining out there,
and when everything failed Yes, |
know everything always seemed to
fail with me-" he interjected In answer
to look on her face. ''When every
thing failed l was ashamed even to
write, and l kept going from one thing
to another, thinking I'd do better, till
the first / knew l was getting old and
gray and realized that I'd left you to
tug along and raise Johnny alone. I'd
never come back only
"Only you couldn't do anything else"
she put in again, unable Immediately
to forgive the long desertion.
''And to think Of your shaving and
putting up tombstone for me and CIV
ing the little shaver my name! I've
treated you dog mean, Harriet" his
voice trailed, shakily, into silence.
"Wel, what's done's donev she said,
regarding him more kindly. Il don't
know as we can help the way we're
made, and | don't suppose it's always
been easy for you any more than for
us. Well make the best of 1t, won't
WV JODnllA IOuI ldintE Gull JOD
about enough for his keep"
Yes, that's So father" John laid
his hand on the old mans shoulder.
wen soon be jogging along as If
you'd never been away"
BLESS your hearts, so you will take
in the poor old good for nothing
tramp The bent shoulders straight
ened, he sprang nimbly up the steps,
seized Mrs. Spencer and kissed her
soundly in spite of her shocked resist
ance, then grasped Johns hand. You
didn't let me finish about coming back,
Harriet. ! got over being failure.
went up to the Klondike and caught up
with the luck I'd always been chasing.
and-and Johnny, boy, you can buy out
the whole little town II you want to,
and Mrs. Spencer ma'am, let's begin
over again with the wedding trip we
missed the first time