The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-08-13

tween you and Joseph Carlin. Wait,
please. II IL shadow that threatens
to wreck his happiness perhaps yours
He is proud. he feels that something
has happened that win disgrace bis
good Names name that he cannot ask
you TO bear"
The girl was looking away. the
flush had faded from Der cheeks
why do you say this 70 met" she
family asked.
Because ! want you to understand
what my-whaf Joseph carlin means
when he talks OF an impending dis
grace. ! can tell you this because !
am the cause Of ali his trouble"
~Y0u."
Eyes. am Joseph carIin's father"
She stared az him in amusement
Il thought bis father was dead
Better So perhaps but ! am Ezra
carlin."
~But whyY"
He stopped her with gesture
Il SEE you do not remember. Years
ago, when you were little girl. there
was bank here In Arlington The
banker speculafed. the bank was
wrecked, the depositors lost their
money. the banker ran away and be
never was captured"
Il remember now" she said
Il an. that banker. l am Ezra
carlin."
why are you hereT
my conscience has driven me back.
/ am here TO pay that debt Of shame
every dollar. Then ! win give myself
no for punishment. have come here
and told you this because II is not fair
that the sin OF the father should be
visited on the son. beg you win LEI
him DO nothing rash. Oh do not wreck
your lives because Of me"
The girl looked AZ him.
Il am very sorry" she softly said
Il see you have suffered and you viii
pay back all that was lost Joseph is
wrong. IL happened 20 long ago. You
are Joseph's father. He must not for
get that" She put Que her slim hand
He caught II between his own.
God bless you" be said. little
brokenly.
4 thank you for coming and telling
me this.~ she said. Il am glad 70 know
the truth. Joseph has no good excuse
for casting me aside lie shall know
II when we meet again"
Yes. yes said the old man. Tel
him plainly. Make him listen TO you
lie il proud. but his pride must not
stand IN the way. And you-you DO
not desplse met
no. no," cried the girl. Il remem-
Der now that heard my father telling
that a certain nelghbor owed him
money which he would have paid II
the bank hadn't failed Ny father
needed the money. II was great hard
ship 70 him 70 he deprived OF IL Yet
know that be forgnve you. Then
why should the daughter OF that ia
thcr--a daughter who has naughf 10
forgive-wlthhold her hand from the
father OF the man she has promised TO
marryy'
There were tears In the old mans
eyes az he turned 20 so.
Father and son were busy men the
next day. busy with the checks that
were to be mailed to the living depos-
ltors OF the bank and TO the heirs OF
the dead depositors II was task
that could not be hurried There were
the names 10 be checked and the checks
TO be fiiied and the addresses TO be
written. But presently the task neared
completion
Il any little tired" said the old
man. 4 think l will 20 out into the
open air. Have no fear--I VIII soon
return He came back after little
while. and the young man pointed to
the pile OF addressed envelopes that
only needed stamps TO start them on
the way TO dcposltors
in half an hour said the young
man. ~they win all he gone"
Ezra carlln nodded.
and then" he said. 4 VIII take my
punishment"
The young man turned and looked up
At him. Despite the difference In years
despite the gray locks and the care
worn face. the two men were much
alike In both features aud expression.
Let us hear no more OF that" he
harshly said.
~what do you meanT'
Il mean that you are not to stand
trial for that almost forgotten ofense
You are old, you are m. you have suf-
fered sixteen years Of punishment, you
have made all the amends in your
power. It Is enough"
~But there are indictments and
charges against me. l want to plead
guilty to them.~
"you cannot. you shall not There
are no charges against you. no indict-
mcnts 81 have had. them all nolled.
The old man stared at him. His lips
quivcred.
is this right, sons"
''Yes. It is right said the ,young