Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-03-25

up toe stone l really thought he Haa dead, 1t had been 90 long. And I might have married and been a biz. amist!" she flared at the tramp. who stooo ln downcast silence. "I might nave been married this minute. could have been. What then?"
 IT you'd been married again, liar riet-l didn't think you would, though put If you had I'd never let you know l was alive. And I don't mean 10 bur den you. There's lots Of work in me yet" he quavered.
 You don't look it. and there was never any too niuSA at your best. but oi course you've got to stay I guess he can do crrands 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 SUD- 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. "I expect it'll raise great racket, selling the tombstone and all, and l couldn't have sold 1t If l hadn't recognized him last night, Johnny. Dear knows what folks'n 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 meehly when she stopped.
 Things. l didn't know tramps car ried baggage" she snorted.
 ''1m not professional tramp; only ill the way of running from Dan to Beersheba That was always Thy 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" si.e interrupted a little bitterly.
 You alwa.'s lad a good heart. Har- riet." he said gratefully. Il would go that last tine. but l t,.ought I was in for a good thing ill mining out there. and when everything failed Yes, 1 know. everything always seemed to fail with nsc, he interjected in answer to look on her face. When every thing failed l 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 i'll again, unable immediately to forgive the long desertion.
 And to think of your slaving and putting up tombstone for me and giv 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. "I don't know as we can help the way we're made, and don't suppose it's always been easy for you any more than for us. We'll make the best of it, won't we. Johnny? Your father can job about enough for his keep"
 "Yes, that's go, 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. l got over being a failure. l 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 tme"