The La Jara chronicle., 1906-01-05

earning capacity? The truth came
home strongly to Jonas when he began
| TO seek work. There was no work for
him. They wanted young men. He
was too old; he couldn't stand the
racket And some were less gentle
with the rebuff. Gradually his little
fund dwindled, and at last he made
his way by begging at farm houses
along the road. He found shelter in
hayricks and barns, sneaking in after
dark and leaving before dawn. Lack
of food began to tell. The wrinkles
deepened in his face; his eyes took
on hopeless expression; his gait was
slower; his back began to bend. In n
Few weeks Jonas was an old, old man.
And with weakness came the feeling
of dependence. His pride melted. He
wanted strong arm about him. But
there was only one in all the world on
whom he might can-"Sonny." And
where was "Sonny" now?
There was ample time for Jonas to
regret the past AS he plodded along
the frozen road he recalled the occur
rences of ten years before, when
Sonny" had passed out of his life.
On the boys shoulders had fallen the
burden of the farm with its mortgage.
the lions share, to raise the encum-
brance; and when the money was nj
most in hand, Jonas had loaned 1t,
against Billy's earnest protest, to
friend on an unsecured note, at heavy
interest. And when the friend failed,
Billy saw the fruits of his labor swept
away in n night. Was 1t any wonder,
then, that he proposed giving up the
farm and moving to the city? Were
they to continue there, with noses to
the eternal grindstone, merely eking
out living? The mother agreed,
faith In her son being deep and abid-
ing; but Jonas said No, and when,
after months of argument, Billy an
nounced his intention of going alone
Jonas rose in wrath and showed him
the door, bidding him with curse to
10, and stay, and never show your
face again." Now, in his bitterness,
weak and weary, Jonas sat down by
the side of the road and wept quietly
the first time in years. Oh, if he could
only find Sonny" "Sonny" would
forgive him. His heart went back to
the old home; to the sorrowing mother,
who had pined away grievIng for her
son. He did not know that on the day
of his departure, Billy, prosperous and
generous, having heard of the aI,-
preaching sale, had appeared before
the astonished Squire Barlow and up
set that individuals prophecy by salts
flying all demands and rendering the
sale unnecessary; nor that for weeks
Billy had been Advertising all over the |
East for his father to come home.
1t was New Years eve. Jonas had
been on the road over month. With
out knowing how, or, indeed. why, he
had proceeded steadily north, through
the mountains, and now, as the bleak,
winter day drew to close, he was ap-
preaching the great city of Pittsburg.
From afar he had seen the heavy
smoke lying low on the horizon. The
road was lined with beautiful resi-
dences, and as dusk came on, lights
appeared in the windows. There was
warmth and cheer. Might not food
and shelter be there too for an old
man? He could not keep up much
longer. His shoes were worn through.
He was sick with hunger. In despera.
tion he followed the driveway of 4
palatial residence and made his way
back to the stable. The hostlcr
came at him savagely "Git out o
here" he growled. "This amt no
place for hoboes." Jonas turned and
went out again. He would not beg
from common stable-hand. He
would push on to the city.
AS he passed the side of the house
he glanced up at the roof and stopped
suddenly. There was glow in the !
attic window. The glass shivered and
gush of smoke and flame told him
instantly that the house was on fire. |
With quick steps he ran to the front |
and up on the broad porch. The door
was locked, but he pounded on it with .
his fists. "FIREv' he shouted; and |
again, FIRE! FIRE! The dooropencd |
suddenly, showing the white, scared .
face of woman. "FIREw Your
house is on fire.' he cried, as he
pushed past her.
Women screamed and children ran
hither and thither. Hardly knowing
why Jonas hurried up the broad stairs. |
AS he turned into the upper hall n |
cloud of smoke enveloped him. He en-. |
tered the first room and ran to the |
window. Opening it, he shouted into .
the still night air, "FIRE! FIREr' He .
heard mems voices, but as in dream,
for the smoke was sitting him. He
must get back or die, like rat in
hole. AS he groped his way he fell
against bed. A tiny voice startled
him. 1t was a baby, choking in the
dense smoke. He reached out blindly;
his hands came upon the child strug
Cling beneath heavy coverings. lie
grabbed it up, dragging off the blan-
kets, and wrapping them around the
little ones head and body.
Somehow he reached the door, stag
gered into the hall and found the stair
way. AS he started down he tripped
over the end Of blanket and rolled