Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-07-19
! by TO BERT BoNNEn's snys

could be discerned harvesting In the
fields beyond. while over the whole
scene brooded that oppressive heavi-
ness which In England not common
ly heralds an autumnal storm.
AS had not communicated with my
father since despatching the telegram
from New York announcing my intend
ed return. no conveyance was at Bury
st. Edmund's to meet me-a circum-
stance for which I was inclined to be
thankful, for my Journey from New
York, long and tedious as 1t was, had
not sufficed for-me to digest all my re-
cent experiences, and I was anything
but prepared to meet my father and
fohn Adams-parttcularly the latter
A long walk alone on country road
had always found a favorable condi-
,ion for solving any problem which
perpleXed me. but to-day my specific
failed to produce its usual effect; I
was unable to shape or in any way ad-
equately realize the results which
might follow the doing Of that which
| had returned to England to do, and
when turned into the patch which led
up to the Hall my mind was scarcely
more clear than the sky above me
how more than ever dark. but emit
ting frequent flashes of lightning.
. On entering the house | was told by
n servant that my father and Mr..
Wolsey were together in the study,
and l went there to them at once with
out ceremony. Both were unfcignedly
pleased at my return. my grandfather
regarding me with much curiosity. and
expressing his pleasure at my increased
height and apparent health.
"To think that five years should
make such differencew exclaimed
my grandfather. "When I left Hol-
denhurst you were mere boy; now
you are almost a man."
! "Not quite !" asked
D. "Well. hardly" said my grandfather.
a fellow-passenger of mine. a clever
old fellow who came from Sydney to
England with me, used to say there
was no man under thirty years Of age"
"Your friend is wrong" l replied.
"a large part Of the worlds best work
has been done by men when they were
less than thirty. For my part. I am
convinced that my judgment in gen
eral matters is rs sound as 1t will ever
be, and shouldn't hesitate in making
unassisted decisions in all matters re.
lating to myself"
Mr.. Wolsey seemed little discon-
certed by my vigorous reply, and
looked inquiringly at my father, but
the latter, affecting not TO notice 1t.
turned the conversation by asking if
I had a pleasant voyage to England.
"a very pleasant voyage, indeed" l
replied; "no such storm as this either
going or returning"-for at that mo.
mcnt the rain was lashing against tho
windows with tremendous force, and
thunder and lighting were almost con-
slant
81 was just completing an arrange
ment with your grandfather" said my
father, speaking slowly, as he turned
over a number of leases and agree
ments which lay piled upon his desk
in front Of him. "Mr. Wolscy has
agreed to settle down at Holdenhurst
though not as my tenant. AS you
know, l have no less than four farms
ut present vacant, and as soon as Mr..
Cooper goes l shall have another. TO
look for an agricultural tenant in these
times is like seeking for the philoso
piers stone, SO | have offered your
grandfather his old house ct has re.
malned empty ever since he left it,
and small salary, and he has under
taken to superintend the cultivation of
my tenantless farms. What with bad
seasons and the low prices at which
foreign agricultural produce is put
upon our markets, the farmers are
really In desperate straits, and It's diff
cult to see what the end of 1t all will
be. Nothing but duty on the impor-
tation of corn, or European war, can
save them from ruin. Mr.. Fuller him
self admits as much, though he doesn't
see his way clear to pray for either of
those things. OF course you are glad
that your grandfather is to be near us
again"
Most assuredly I am, and" l
added with q sudden outburst of cour-
age-"I am very pleased that he has
accomplished the purpose which occa.
stoned his going away. How is my
cousin Annic?'
My grandfather seemed surprised at
my question and remained silent,
while my father glanced uncomforta-
bly, at us both.
"Is she quite well?" inquired again.
"Poor Annie is better in health than
reputation" said my father after n
pause, answering for Mr.. Wolsey. 81
am sorry to say it, but my brother is
heartless villain. I never thought
he was SO black as he is"
"And 1 don't think he Is so black as
some people regard him." l answered,
with unguarded warmth. "Is it not
possible uncle Sam may be able to
urge some consideration which will
eXtenuate the fact that he took Annie
away without her fathers consent?
Besides, Annie Is old enough to know
the consequences Of her acts"
"Did your uncle tell you to say that
to us?" asked my two companions IN