The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1909-12-30

New Years eve two men sat befor
q blazing log fire. one of them, car
burned. Opposite to him was a vacan
chair which occupied much of his at
tention.
1t seemed to reawaken all the sweet
est memories OF his soul. If one ca
read the human soul in the face.
The other. a younger man by severa
years, twisted himself restlessly In hi
chair, now casting furtfve glances a
his silent host. now throwing first on
leg and then the other owe the arm
OF his chair. His forehead was fur
rowed with impatient lines. and from
his nose to the corners OF his mouti
deep creases were drawn as though
anger and disappointment We're deter
mined to leave their traces unmlstaka'
bly,. that every man might read
We said in years he was the younger
man OF the two, but no one would nave
believed it who looked upon them now,
The smooth open brow, the large ten
der eyes. the calm. placid expression
of his host. told of a heart at peace
with God and all mankind. n made
him appear the younger OF the two.
The room wore q CHEEKY aspect, holly
frightened 1t and fresh flowers per-
fumed 1t.
New Years eve." said the host,
breaking the long silence. Time rings
the knelf of another year, the days
ave passed like the shuttle from q
weaver's hand. AS I sat here looking
at that vacant chair, l was trying to
view the pattern woven In LIES web
for me the year gone by, a record OF
my thoughts, my words, my deeds. as
the occupant of that chair taught me
so long to try to do"
H POSI- r ~1~.tl l~1r xr~,y
a given up your sentimentality for
that old man who caused o to expect
so much and disappointed you so bit
terly at last
II disappointed? He disappointed
mel" answered the host in a calm, ever
~incredulous tone.
Never. he could not do so. What
ever he did for me. is best for me. I
know this. and knowing it accepted it
without regret, whatever other people,
expected him to do differently may
believe. Edward, he was my friend
and early in life he taught me Sam
Johnson's ines:
Friendship, peculiar born of heaven,
The noble minds delight and pride
To men and angels only given.
To all the lower world denied"
But he caused every man to believe
you We're to be his only heir, and when
he died left to o. only this old house
that no one else would inhabit, because
1t has the name Of being haunted.
Edward, he did leave me sole heir
Of his great fortune of peace and good
will toward mankinds sole heir to the
secret of success. And, as for this old
house-he knew I would prize it more
a palace in Westmoreland! Here
lived an honored mani! Here he
wrote and taught. From this
he went forth oaph 6ay for Sn
years an example to all men. When I
a boy / fled to this ireside in win
.er from the storms outside-and as
grew older / fed to it from the storms
nside!"
This conversation was interrupted by
he Inner bell and Harold Barnes led
his guest to a bountiful table. Here,
Is in the drawing ROOM, a great fire
,rackled, and a roaring blaze rushed
Up a broad chimney. giving out both
light and heat. Shaded lamps threw a
light or the viands. Even Ed
ward Murray softened under the genial
influence Of the fire, excellent dinner,
his sweet tempered host. They
we're served by a middle-aged house
,eeper, assisted by a butler.
Il Suppos you will go through the
Usual grind tomorrow" said Edward.
How"
ooh, that pokey rector emeritus. the
~ Jud6S, dIlu, III 1dCC, all the GOOD |
ompany We met last year,
There will be ne change, Edward,
f the old regime"
Harold, why not cultivate the young
ellowS--get into the swim'-
Il have long felt that I am-not in
.eed the swim you refer to. but in
stream of Divine Providence. II
ut my trust in the Divine Providence,
nd attribute all things to Him and the
roof, the only proof any man can have
hat he Is in the stream Of Providence,
3 that he Is in a state Of peace. The
is mine,
An impatient gesture from his guest
aused h host to pause, and as the
inner was over, they returned to the
rawing room.
The ground was white with snow.
nd still the feathery flakes descended.
stood at the window rapt in adj
of the scene of white glory
1ithout. edward walked the floor like
man who is making up his mind
eed, but is uncertain about the course
pursue.
A joyful exclamation from his friend
It the Window startled him, and in a
he saw Harold rushing out
he door like a schoolboy, and in an
'ther he saw him assisting the very
gentleman lie had so lately dreaded
from a carriage.
Now this is cherry said the rector,
himself before the fire with
Judge Manning and Banker Ryan. Mol
was offered the position Of honor
where sat the vacant chair.
They had already dined, but they
rave It out that being bachelors all,
hey should claim Harold's hospitality
or the night.
It was in vain they tried to be pleas
Int with Edward. He would none of
hem; and taking a paper he with
rev to a window to amuse himself.
He was reused by this conversation:
q see, Harold. that you have up
,olstered our old friends chair (the
7acant one.)
Yes, sir, with the very piece Of
leather he bought for he pur-
Jose, and often said, some day he
me to give him an exhibition
,fs my handiwork. You remember, I
lid all my lear mothers upholstery
when a boy-necessity taught me the
:rade, but my mother and my dear
riend said I earned h lesson we'll"
Here followed an examination Of the
chair in which the deceased benefactor
# Harold had sat and entertained them
,or 20 years.
90 A Nxyfh {rsr nAN.k - f,1c{11 7