Middletown transcript., 1908-06-20
[coNrrNuEp FROM LAST WEEK. ]


I did sir.
That brother went to Nevada
in the early fifties, and he was
not heard of again by you! Am
fright, or wrong?
I understood that Harvey died
in fifty-four.
No, sir, he did not. All, l
knew I would surprise you! cried
the visitor, pressing John Lang
ton back into his chair, as the
old man was about to rise. NO,
sir, he did not die; and what's
more, sir, he's rich man, a very
rich man, to-day.
John Langton looked toward
his wife, and the eyes OF the ola
folks met but neither spoke a
word. Tim reached out his right
hand, and drawing up a chair
was seated. His left sleeve was
pinned to his coat.
Yes, sir, a rich man to day
And l have been engaged to per-
suade you two old people to pack
up what stuff you want and move
over to his home in Hill County,
not three hundred miles from
here, where you will have moth
ing to do the rest of your lives
but enjoy yourselves.
Martha Langton rose an q
placed her hand on Tins Shout
der. Does that invitation, SIR
include our boy Tim?
Twas given to understand said
the visitor, that this young man
is only nominaIly your son that
you adopted him when child
In short, ma am, that he is of no
blood relation to either of you.
Our dead son, sir, could scarce
ly have been to rs what Tim has
been, and unless the invitation
you bring is for. Tim also, we
can't accept it, can we John?
We can't, Martha.
Tim was on his feet. Mother,
father, consider! This means a
home for you-a beautiful home,
and not poor, mean little rented
cottage like this!
No, Tim, said Martha Langton
sorrowfully, the spot where you
are not welcome would be no
home for John and me. And yet
by going away we can take of
of your shoulders a burden that
it amt right that you should
longer bear.
Mother pleaded poor Tim, the
face of a young girl rising before
his vision.
That's true, Martha, affirmed
John Langton, nodding his head
vigorously. That's very true. l
think we best accept brother Har-
vey's invitation.
Should you reject it, sir, you
will regret it the longest day
you live. The visitor empha-
sized his assertion by striking
the table heavily with his palm.
Tim bowed his head and was
silent.
At last the old folks were ready
for the journey. They sat side
by side in the little depot, Tim
and Alice waiting near to bid
them God-speed and farewell.
Martha was dressed in a black
silk gown, saved and altered
from an earlier day, while John
was attired in his Sunday broad
cloth suit. They had wished to
make the journey in more hum
BILE attire, but Tim would not
allow it. They were going to
live with their rich kin, and it
was proper that they should ap-
pear in silk and broadcloth.
AS the moments passed, Tim
grew more and more restless !;
he wanted to accompany John
and Martha and see that they
arrived safely at their destina-
ton. But no, Mr.. Vanderbilt,
the lawyer, would be sufficient
escort. Tim must stay and look
after the cottage.
A loud whistle and the clang-
ing of bell, and Vanderbilt hur-
ried in to report that the train
was approaching. Martha Lang
ton clasped her husbands hands
and whispered For Tins sake!
For Tins sake!- whispered
John Langton, returning the
pressure of his wife's hand.
Then the old folks broke down
and wept, and Alice and Tim,
with tears in their own eyes,
begged them not to take the
Journey-to come back to the
little cottage and all stay together
the rest of their lives. But Van
derhill pooh-poohed the plead
ing of the lovers as sentimental