The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-03-15

up the stone l really thought he was
dead, it had been so long. And I
might have married ana been d big
amistv she fared at the tramp, who
stood in a 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 if 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
yet" 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 errands 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. 81
expect it'll raise a great racket, selling
the tombstone and all, and | couldn't
have sold it if l 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.
give 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 l 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 a look on her face. when every
thing failed 1 was ashamed even to
write, and 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.
"Well, what's done's done," she said,
regarding him more kindly Il don't
know as we can help the way we're
made, and l don't suppose it's always
been easy for you any more than for
us. Well make the best Of it, won't
we, Johnny? Your father can job
about enough for his keep"
Eyes, that's so, father John laid
his hand on the old mans shoulder
We'll 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 if you want to,
and Mrs. Spencer, ma'am, let's begin
over again with the wedding trip we
missed the first time