The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-11-07


N surrounded by brownpapcr parcels, and a brakeman
eating apple in busness-like way only these
with the important exception of Reuben Reed He sat
in the middle of the looking xedy the land
scape azly crcpt into view; he had turned over
the seat in front of him. and his feet rested on it, while
/. his arms spread the hac, Of his own scat
N AS the train crossed bridge small river Reu-
ben up straehter There the pine grove where
they used to have the Sunday-school pcncs there
was the field where the huokeberres grew the tcscst
there old Carver's barn looming high on a
kslopng hillside Reuben remembered we'll how he had
helped build that barn. earning his first ten dollars by
the job
: Just opposite the station the tavern; Reuben
Thought it had shrnk since he last it, and felt re-
/uctant to trust himself its hospitality but needs
must in certain combinations in life he walked up
\ to its forbddne door, found the landady, and hav-
ing made arrangements for the night out OH foot
along the sandy road that beside the track 1t was
\ early in May. and the air biting drew
near The appletrec in the scany orchards were
yet in bloom but there was pink low through the
branches telling of the sap that already swcled each
bud The steady Cape wind blew in his face, bending
EASILY the long. thin grasses that pushed through the
: sand OH the sides OF the road
n Reuben walked with swing that soon took him out
of the village and IN five minutes he had gained
the schoolouse, where it stood far possible from
the center OF civilization to be within easier reach
Icf the outlying farms 1t was dismal square wooden
building with two doors for the girls the other for
Ithe boys Reuben tried 10 open the rght-hand door,
-but locked He down the steps and looked
Nat the small playground bare and grim troddcn hard
}by many hobnailed boots, Some child had dropped
Little bunch OF sassafras flowers the STEP and he took
I then, up. holding them thoughtfuly in his hand
Here he was the threshold of design planned by
him twenty years before, and, till within eighteen
months the moving spring OF his existence He sat in
the very place where he had to be revenged
those who had wronged him, lad of nineteen All his
boyhood had been hard and unlovey but never had he
known the pangs Of injustice and disloyalty till that
last week at home,
His expression less lowering and more energetic
as he started OFF in the direction of the old home with
swinging step 1t not long before he reached the
bounday line Of the north acre ot-the place where
their farm began; and then feeling. ignored till them
leap into conscousness-he love of land II Dave had
children, they would be tho fifth generation of Reeds to
live there. 1t than hundred years since his
geat-grandfaher had bought the place and put up a
little two-roomed cabin he had prospcrcd, and his son
had built the large square rooms where Reubens father
had been born, well as himself and Dave Every fibre
OF his heart responded TO the eloquent cry forth by
the trees along the stone walls, by the grim rocks push
g up their old heads through the short grass, and by
The red brick chimneys of the house ITSELF which now
Came into sight.
: This was his as much as Dawes; he would turn out
fhe others and come here with Grace TO make their
ner home where his ancestors had tocd and struggled
with the obstinate soil nc would buy out Dave after he
tIad received back his fifty dollars with twenty years
s1ntercst at FIVE per cent.
X The brute predominant in his face as he noisly
pushed back the garden gate scowling notice that
f the hinges was broken and crunched up the gravel
'tah to the front door lie pulled the glass bell-handc
nut 1t canc out III his hand, and he forced TO rap
smaIty with his He heard person moving hastily
within, but he did not a face pressed against the
window of the room the right OF the door, if some
ne trying to sec who knocked so imperativcIy In
moment bolt drawn, and thin elderly woman,
Reuben
eIvc come to sec Mr. Reed Mr. David Reed" said
keuben in his authoritative Most people sue
eunbed at once 10 this OF his. and of
Ispraec charms that she only laughed when he DOM
q meered But the woman before him was more than
Momarily impressed her eyes, OF dim blue, looked
pke those OF kitten who seeks shelter beneath bed
na @ her voice quavered she replied He's not in
(qs now sir: but il you'd be good enough to wait"
Pne paused the upward infection of her voice turning
b wa Cl tlmld suggestion into a question
y oL ILeffsanly; III wait I've not travelled from New
fon %N, lot nothing Reuben returned grmly.
Would you mind sir stepping into tho sitting room?
Ing weathers still cold and there's FIRE in the best
WI Wil Mr. Reed be long away" asked Reuben after
4 re had seated himself
think he'll be bac; in less than an hour now; my
soano' hard TO move these days, and he's always for
se1nqmg home as soou's he can"
M ner husband! Was this Lucy? Lucy, whose fresh
vIge GE.a he he had carried with him all these years. He
EOked hard at her she took up her work stocking
Hs was mending and tried find trace Of one who
nsnor;n ps;n SO living to his mind Little by little he found
'aaed as the sassafras flowers he had picked Up on
,0ne sehoohouse steps
I m1'ner with a mld rcproof III her voice. gauclng
hs,g 'ne corner where Reuben had seated himself
gn glri started Oh. it seems real dark in here after
mnt nj see you at first"
oGnt s;Ii IN mention it, said Reuben looking reenIy at
N EL III st INC child of Lucy aud Dave She was pretty
= a fragile prcncss that holds world Of pathos for
ye VINO can read the meaning OF the ver-hrilIiant
akks, and the exquisite wild-rosc pink in the checks
hat b u'o not understand these signs he only saw
ugpy" "I ,,i was as lovely as appc-bossom and had
sark u up up Your work, mother" she went on; its too
ny t; H. ere ior you to strain your eyes This is the
hmom, III me day when have the right rest for
:. L@Tvs H. and guess III make the most of it."
6 u.ruIouho uo no right TO rest any time" said Mrs Reed
1e ;Sy, s;ny suppose I'd ought TO try TO do the milk
hose noo you can't 1t goes against nc think of
NAV ~. bc COWS having to wait till Rcub gets back for
.Exts- hnf
y ucy ~. ;,!on you Shant and | can't" said the Younger
M y, ws sslly I'm sorry for cm. too, but | don't See
q n US wssd should u suffer any more than cows
91Ifuben J9 10 mlk every day when ! was bow said
os Will, ,nodenly; wIy won't you let me try nv hand
- ""ie III waiting for your fatler?"