The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-06-20


up the stone I really thought he was
dead. 1t had been so long. And I
might have married and been a big
amistv' she flared at the tramp, who
stood In a dOwncast silence. II might
have been married this minute. could
have been. What them"
III you'd been married again. Har-
riet-I didn't think you would. though
but If you had I'd never let you know
l was alive. And don't mean to bur-
den you. There's lots of work In me
yet" he quavered.
"You don't look 1t, 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. II
expect it'll raise a great racket, selling
have sold 1t 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 twinkle in his eyes.
"I've got some things at the depot"
he explained meekly when she stopped.
Things! l 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 a good heart, Har-
riet," he said gratefully. II would go
that last time, but l thought I was in
for a good thing in mining out there.
and when everything failed Yes. l
know, everything always seemed to
fail with me-" he interjected In answer
to a look on her face. when every
thing failed / was ashamed even to
write, and l kept going from one thing
to another. thinking I'd do better, till
the first l knew l was getting old and
gray and realized that I'd left you to
| lob oil
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. II don't
know as we can help the way we're
made, and 1 don't suppose it's always
been easy for you any more than for
us. Well make the best of 1t, 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 II
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 a failure. I
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