The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1906-11-08

day before ne run Off. Maybe twould
"a hurt me gettin' rich. He. he's
The hut was easily found, for, be-
sides the seven or eight bouses left
standing In the village, it was the only
building the stranger saw. And the
carryall owner had been right about
fits being In the woods, for there had
been no attempt at clearing OF cultiva-
ton The trees and bushes grew close
up to the hut on ali sides, and a tSngle
OF wild vines had taken possession Of
two thirds of the log step, As the
stranger saw il and his eyes took Ia the
surroundings he paused with strong
emotion.
Poor Joe! Poor Joer' he said com
passionately. why didn't he let me
know? | never dreamed of this or Of
the village being in such ruin. 1t was
fairly prosperous when I went away.
And Joe always wrote such bright
cheerful letters, telling how happy he
was with his animals ! thought he
had q nice big farm that was well
stocked. He would never let me help
him. He had everything he needed, he
wrote, and more. And now this! Poor
Joel Poor Joel have been to blame,
for | ought to have come down aud
seen how things were going. have
been too busy accommodating money.
And 1t was Joey who let me have all
his little hoard when l went away.
How people forget! Bot he shall new
er want anything more. will take
him back To the city with me and let
him have all the things that money can
give"
A man was coming slowly around the
hut, with head bent, humming the air
of some boyish wood song. The stran-
ger sprang forward 80 old and bent
as that" he thought. Poor Joeyr
But as he advanced the man sud
denly raised his head, his shoulders
sQuaring. There was nothing old look
ing about Joe Alibone. His complexion
had the ruddy color OF Its youth, and
his hair had scarcely commenced TO
turn. Force might be lacking ic his
face, but 1t was face OF perfect con
tentment and happiness. gentle, loving.
thoughtful, benign, the face OF poet
and dreamer, Of philosopher. The
stranger gazed at him with wondering
recognition. then opened his arms.
Joey! Joey His voice choked,
you look just the same as when left.
only larger"
At the familiar name Joe Alib0ne
started, his face kindling. He had not
recognized the white haired, careworn
figure before. But first he carefully
placed rabbit, which seemed to be
hurt, upon the ground. 1t was this he
had been looking at when he came
round the hut with bent head. Then
he caught his brother IN his arms, his
face strongly expressive of the pity
and grief he felt.
Tom, little Tommy" he said, the
love in his voice mingled with deep
self reproach, IT oughtn't TO have let
ye stay off there 50 long a-workIn' an
a-Worryin'. / knowed Ii all the time,
but | was easy an you was set, an It
seemed less trouble that Away. But
oughtn't, Tommy, poor little Tommy
was older an should a. had my say.
Ye'ye growed old an tired out, while
I've jest lazed my life away here In
the woods. But ye shan't go off any
more, Tommy. There amt no need. It's
nice here in the woods, an there's
plenty for both, an the houses plenty
big Wen set on the log step an look
round AT the birds an things an talk.
It'll he nice. DO ye member how we
used TO get snares an climb trees an
watch squir'ls! Well do 1t ag'iu only
we Won't ketch EN- any more. They're
nicer to look at. Law, law, it doesn't
seem forty-seyen years ago sence We
went of, Tommy. Ye was thirteen
then an me fifteen"
All the time his hand had been pat
ting his brothers back as though he
might be a boy who needed petting and
comforting after some youthful trial
or an unusually hard days work
Suddenly there was low whir OF
wings, and II blue jay dropped lightly
upon JOe'S shoulder and from there