The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-04-14

The elder Loudcn was the first 10
know OF bis prodgal's return He was
alone In the Office Of tho wooden but.
Ter dish factory. Of which he was tho
superintendent when the young man
came In unnnnounced. He was still
pale and thin, His eyebrows had the
same crook, one corner OF his mouth
the same droop, lie was only an Inch
or so taller. not enough 10 be thought
tail man, and yet for few moments
the father did no, recognize his son.
but stared NJ him. inqulring his busI'
ness. During those few seconds OF un.
recognition MIR Louden was somewhat
fnvorably impressed with tho stran.
gers appearance,
"You don't know me- said joe snill.
Ing chcerfully. Perhaps I've changed
In seven years" And he held out bis
hand
Then Mr.. l,onjea knew He Tilted
back IN his desk chair bis mouth fall.
Ing open. Good God" he said. not
noticing the ou,siretched hand. "Iayo
yon come backT'
Joe's hand fell.
"Ycs. I've come back 10 Canaan"
Mr. l.ouden plainly received this as
no pleasan, surprise. what forYf' he
asked slowly.
ipYs., ,,raati,.. tuxp latham
"Whatr
"Yes." said the young man. There
ought TO be an opening here for me.
I'm a graduate OF ms good law school
as there Ii In the country"
Mr., Loudcn leaned forward. hand
on each knee his brow deeply CORFU
gated
"who do you think In Canaan would
put case In your handsT
"oh. don't expect to get anything
important at the start but after
awhile
with your repntatIonr
But that's seven years ago, and
suppose the towns forgotten all about
Il and forgotten me too, so. you see.
can make fresh start. That's what
! came back for"
II don't believe" said Mr.. Louden,
with marked uncasincss. that Mrs.
Louden would bc willing 10 let you
live with us"
NO" said Joe gently, II didn't ex'
pect II. Wen, | won't keep you from
your work. suppose you're pretty
busy"
"Ycs, am" responded his father
promptly. But I'll see you again be-
fore you 30, want TO give you some
advice"
I'm not going said Joe Not so
Ing 10 leave Canaan, mean. Where
viii find EugeneY
AT the Tocsln office, he's the as
slstant editor, Judge Pike bought the
Tocsin last year, and he thinks q good
deal of Eugene, Don't forget ! said
to come TO see me again before you
60"
Joe came over to the older man aud
held out his hand shake haads, IA
thor, he said, Mr. Louden looked at
him out OF small lmplacable eyes, the
steady hostility OF which only his wife
or the lmperlous Martin Pike, his en-
ployer, could quell. He shook his
head.
II don't see any use In It," he an.
swered. ut wouldn't mean anything,
All my life I've been 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 ali your
folks were ashamed Of you, | don't
see that we've got a call to be any
different now" He swung round to
his desk emphatcally on the last
word, and Joe turned away and went
out quietly.
But It was bright morning to
which he emerged from the outer doors
Of the factory, and he made his way
toward Main street at 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 run you
down!" Then, as Mr.. Arp made no
response, but stood stock still In the
way. staring at him hercely: Don't
you know me, Mr.. ArpT the young
man asked. I'm Joe Louden,"
Eskew abruptly thrust his face close
to the others, mo free seats" he
Kissed sayagely and swept across to
the hotel to set his world afire.
Joe looked after the lrate recedlng
figure and watched 1t disappear Into
the Main street door Of the National
House, AS the door closed he became
aware of a mighty shadow upon tho
pavement and, turning, beheld a fat
young man wearing upon his forehead
a scar similar to his own waddllng by,
with eyes fixed upon him.
How are you, Norhertw Joe began,
"Don't you remember mer r. He
came to q full stop as the fat one,
thruSting out an under lin as his only