Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-04-22

The last rays OF the setting sun
threw a shaft Of pink and gold into
the parlor OF the pretty cottage where
In sat Mrs. Raymond and her eldest
son
1t was the day OF his fathers fu-
neral, and Harry Raymond was gazing
curiously at his mother, who looked
strangely different from usual in her
new widows cap. The younger chill
dren were playing at having a funeral
OF their own in the back kitchen.
There were very few people at the
funeral to-day, mother" said the young
man, gloomily.
They wouldn't be able to get away
from their offices, daresay," answered
the widow.
Father never did make any friends,
or hardly any, said his son musingly.
81 wonder how 1t WASP" His mother
made no reply.
'tAnd he stuck in the same place all
his life, though he had twice the brains
OF the chief cashier" went on the lad.
A sigh was the only answer.
0S6lu5 DIS oOIuSIulh6 hCpL
him back and held him down always"
"Ayel"
No sooner had the mOnosyllable es-
capped the woman's lips than she tight
ened them, as though resolved that
nothing else should pass between
them.
you have noticed 1t, too, mother"
Noticed it!''
The widows eyes had far-off look
In them. She was in truth thinking
OF her youth-the days when she was
so proud Of the gay young fellow who
came counting her.
s"What was it, mother?" asked the
young man in whisper. What was it
that kept father back all his life and
made people give him the cold shout
derY
She was silent, but her fingers
worked nervously with one of the loug
white strings that floated from the cap
on her brow. 1t was evident that she
wished 20 confide in her son, but shrank
from the task.
You may as well tell me, mother. 1
am a man now. and l ought TO know.
Perhaps 1 could do something to pre-
vent the same fate falling on me-"
mo, but some one might-and ought
to have done so long agol Time after
time have begged and implored your
father to go to Mr.. Graham and force
him to do him justice"
What George Graham, who owns
the cotton mills?"
YES There! I've let drop the name
and may as well tel you the whole
story. George Graham was not the
wealthy man he is to-day when he and
/ and your father were young people.
We were good friends, and he and your
father were very intimate. They were
both Junior clerks In Coppinger & Co.,
and IT was common talk among the
clerks that in time Charles COppinger,
his uncle, would take young George
Graham into partnership, and that af-
ter a while room would be made in the
firm for William Raymond.
The first thing happened, but Lot
the second, and the reason was this:
George Graham was wild and fond
OF pleasure, for all that he looks so
steady and respectable now. He used
10 take my William, your father, TO
race meetings and such like whenever
he had a chance, but he couldn't af-
ford such pleasures, for his uncle gave
him no allowance, and he only had his
salary, like the rest of the clerks.
"Well, the day came when he had 10
get money, and he persuaded your faith;
er to help him get 1t. The money
think it was five hundred dollars
was taken from the office, and yoar
father was responsible for it.
''The loss was discovered, and your
poor father had to bear the blame. He
was arrested and sentenced to SIX
months Imprisonment"
The sons face had grown very white.
"And Graham?" he asked.
"His name was mentioned. of
course" answered the widow, ''but 1t
was made out that your father was
the real criminal instead OF being only
the tool His uncle did not prosecute
him, and he was only bound over as
they call It. while your father went to
prison"
what shame! What a cowardly
shame" cried young Raymond, rising
and walking about IN his anger. This
should have been made public In my
fathers lifetime. But l can at least
do something to clear the stain. l will
force Mr.. Graham to acknowledge the
truth, even If have to make the whole
story public"