The Sauk Centre herald., 1907-05-16

morning of its fulfillment. Joe Louden
! had come back TO Canaan
The elder Louden was the first 10
know Of his prodigars return. He was
| alone in the office of the wooden but
! ter dish factory, Of which he was the
superintendent, when the young man
came in unannounced. He was still
pale and thin. His eyebrows had the
same crook. one corner of his mouth
the same droop. He was only an inch
or so taller. not enough to be thought
a tall man. and yet for few moments
the father did not recognize his son,
but stared at him, inQuiring his busi-
ness. During those few seconds of un-
recognition Mr. Louden was somewhat
favorably impressed with the stran-
gers appearance.
You don't know me-" said Joe, smil-
ing cheerfully Perhaps I've changed
In seven years" And he held out his
hand.
Then Mr. Louden knew. He tilted
back in his desk chair. his mouth fall
ing open Good Godr' he said, not
noticing the outstretched hand. "Have
you come back?"
Joe's hand fell.
Yes. I've come back to Canaan"
Mr. Louden plainly received this as
no pleasant surprise. What for:" he
asked slowly.
ITO practice law. father"
"What:-
Yes" said the young man. There
ought TO be an opening here for me.
I'm graduate of as good law school
as there is in the country"
Mr. Louden leaned forward. a hand
On each knee. his brow deeply CORFU
gated.
"Who do you think in Canaan would
put case in your hands:"
"Oh, l don't expect to get anything
important at the start, but after
awhile
with your reputationT'
But that's seven years ago, and l
suppose the towns forgotten all about
it and forgotten me too. So, you see. l
can make fresh start. That's what
l came back for.
81 don't believe" said Mr.. Louden.
with marked uneasiness. that Mrs.
Louden would be willing to let you
live with u.s.
NO." said Joe gently. ~ didn't ex-
pect it. Well, won't keep you from
your work. 1 suppose you're pretty
busy"
"Yes, l am" responded his father
promptly. But I'll see you again be-
fore you go. want to give you some
advice"
"Im not going" said Joe. 'Not go
ing to leave Canaan, l mean. Where
will find Eugene| -
"At the Tocsin Office; he's the as
sistant editor. Judge Pike bought the
Tocsin last year, and he thinks a good
deal of Eugene. Don't forget l said
to come to see me again before you
CO."
Joe came over to the older man and
held out his hand. "Shake hands, ia
ther," he said. Mr.. Louden looked at
him out of small implacable eyes, the
steady hostility Of which only his wife
or the imperious Martin Pike, his en-
ployer, could quell. He shook his
head.
81 don't see any use in it." he an
swered. 1T wouldn't mean anything.
All my life I've been a hard working
man and an abiding man. Before you
got in trouble you never did anything
you ought to. You ran with the low
est people in town, and / and all your
| folks were ashamed of you. l don't
see that we've got a call to be any
different now." He swung round to
his desk emphatically on the last
word, and Joe turned away and wen,
out quietly.
But it was a bright morning to
which he emerged from the outer doors
Of the factory, and he made his way
toward Main street at a lively gait
AS he turned the corner opposite the
National House he walked into Mr.
Eskew Arp. The old man drew back
angrily.
Lord "a mercy" cried Joe heartily.
ITS Mr.. Arp! almost ran you
uoWn! linen, as Mr.. Arp made no
response, but stood stock still in the
way, staring at him fiercely: Don't
you know me. Mr.. Arp? the young
| man asked. "1'm Joe Louden."
Eskew abruptly thrust his face close
to the others. ''No free seatsr' he
Kissed savagely and swept across to
the hotel to set his world afire.
| Joe looked after the irate receding
figure and watched it disappear into
the Main street door of the National
House. AS the door closed he became
aware of mighty shadow upon the
pavement and, turning, beheld a fat
young man wearing upon his forehead
a scar similar to his own waddling by,
with eyes fixed upon him.
"How are you, Norbert?' Joe began.
"Don't you remember me? r. He
came to full stop as the fat one,
thrusting out an under lip as his only
token of recognition, passed balefully
! on.
Joe proceeded slowly until he came
1 to the TocSin building. At the foot of