Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-03-19

up the stone I really thought he was dead, it had been so long. And might have married and been big amist"' she tiared at the tramp, Who stood in a downcast silence. Il might have been married this minute. could have been. What then:'
 If you'd been married again, liar riet-l didn't think you would. though but if you had I'd never let you know I was alive And don't mean to bur den you. There's lots of work in me yet" he Guavered.
 "You don't look it, and there was never any too much at your best, OuI of course you've got to stay. l 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 shag of hair clipped, There's some of your old duds upstairs, decent ones" Mrs. Spencer laid down the law, then turned to John again. Il expect it'll raise a great racket, selling the tombstone and all, and l coulun have sold it if hadn't recognized him last night Johnny. Dear knows what folks'll say" She flashed seorn at the prodigal. who dropped shame1acedly' but with q twinkle in his eyes.
 "Iye got some things at the depot he explained meekly when she stopped
 Things. I didn't know tramps car rie(l bag@age," she snorted.
 I'm not professional tramp; only in the way of running from Dan to Reefsheba That was always my fail. ing. you know, Harriet. But I'm get ting
 You're getting too old and worn ont to stand it, else you likely wouldn't [ have come home now she interrupted little bitterly.
 You always had good heart, liar riet." he said gratefully. Il would go that last time, but l thought l was i'll for a good thing in mining out there, and when everything failed les, l know. everything always seemed to fail with me-" he interjected in answer 10 q look on her face. When every thing failed I was ashamed even to wI.tse. and kept going from one thing to another, thinking I'd do better, till the first knew was getting old and gray and realized that I'd left you to tug al1rs anl raise Johnny alone. I'd never come back on!y"-
 "Only you couldn't t,o anything else" she put in again, unable immediately to forgive the long assertion
 And to thnl. of your slaving and putting up tombstone for me and giv- ing the little shaver my name.Z I've treated you dog mean. Harriet his voice trailet, s..a,,:iy. in5o silence.
 "Well what's dona's done she said regarding him more kindly. Il don't know as we can help the way we're made, and I don't suppose it's always been easy for you any more than for us. We'll make t!." best of it, won't we Johnny? Your father can Joh about enough for his keep
 "Yes, that's so, father. John lait his hand on the old mans sh9ui, Ter "We'N 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 l tramp" The bent shoulders traight 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. 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 i over again with the wedding trip we missed the first time."