Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-08-08

still IN the race or crisis Is calling
there's satisfaction In action, If merely
physical and resultless.
''Give my love to Sarah Jane" were
tho last words that fell upon the old
mans ears as Wilkins helped him into
the gig, but he felt his promise was
Judas-like. Did Mary but know!
The station was not far, and some
time remained before the next train to
Mindwick was due. Wilkins wanted to
get his ticket, but the farmer declined.
"You get back, my lad" he observed.
maybe you've another Job waiting"
Wilkins, whose ancient cart and still
more ancient horse was In request as
the one means of communication be-
tween the village and civilization, re-
marked, as a matter of fact, there was.
Smitherson went into the small looking
Office and TREMENDOUSLY asked for q
ticket to London.
''If Mary but knew" he kept repeat
| ing, as at length the train steamed in
and he was being conveyed towards the
great metropolis. If she but knew
Sarah Jane might be dead, buried-his
destination was London. In either case
his sister was safe; on the other hand,
his son, his own flesh and blood, was
in dire extremity.
If only she knew! When upstairs,
he had quietly unlocked the wardrobe
door and extracted a box. Within was
a document carefully preserved In It's
sue paper, representing savings, saw
ings quickly convertible into cash in
! that wonderful place-London. It was
not deal, seventy pounds, several shil-
lings and few pence, but it might pre-
vail. Mary, too, had another certifi-
cate, but that was not his to touch.
The unaccustomed whirr and rattle
Of the train made his eyes ache, his
head dizzy. demanded in custody !"
Yet money accomplished most things,
even to opening prison doors.
At last the journey was ended; the
short winters day had closed in lights
already burned at London Bridge Sta
| ton. AS he stumbled out of the car
riage on to the platform, one of
seething, hurrying mass Of humanity,
he looked around bewildered. A stran-
ger In strange land, heavy burden
dragging at his heart; he felt lonely
unutterably lonely.
But the thought of the boy braced
him up; he struggled bravely forward.
The platform was long, and, the last
passenger to reach the barrier, he halt
ed; the ticket collector conversed with
an elderly female. Vaguely, the figure
seemed familiar, and as he held out the
piece Of pasteboard, 1t turned. A look
Of CONSERVATION spread over his face
"Mother!"
Mrs. Smitherson gasped, her rosy
face went pale.
"John! You!"
Clutching his arm, they stared az
each other, moving out Of the way of
trolley laden with luggage.
John" said his wife, II thought
thought you were going to Mindwick?"
"Ah," the man mumbled, smiling
family. But didn't What are you
doing here " Then in a whisper: us
It John?"
Her arm trembled upon his; her eyes
filed with tears
''Then you know" she sobbed. Il
wanted to keep it from you, poor dear.
l saw the paper while you were at the
village. 1t seemed like Gods goodness
Mrs. Williams hadn't shown you"
"Cheer up" observed the man. May
be it's we'll we met. 1 was going to
Rotherwells."
"And l." murmured Mary through
her tears. wilkins drove me to the
next station. I've brought 1t all with
me-the eighty pounds"
"Mary, you're a jewel! Eighty and
seventy"-he calculated slowly-"that's
hundred and fifty; We'll get John Off
yet. They shan't suffer. And we'll
have him home; always with us. lie
can do bit o. farming, and I'm not
so old can't still do a bit myself
Mary, my gal, We'll be happier. than
ever!"
Tears trickled fast down the old
mans face; he brushed them quickly
away with his sleeve.
Mother" he said, wed best take
a cab. Hill"
The farmer raised his stick; an out
side porter hurried up.
"Four-wheeler, STRIP gauging the re-
quirements Of his prospective client at
a glance.
John acquiesced; they were helped
into the cab as gently as time and Lon
don hustle would permit, and driven
rapidly towards Throgmorton street,
The fare paid, arm in arm they entered
the narrow vestibule Of No. 1O1. Rows
Of bewildering brass plates encountered
them on either side. John approached
military looking man in uniform.
II want to see Mr.. Rotherwell," he
ventured timorously.
"RotherwelPs? Inside"
They followed his forefnoar info