The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-11-06

track toward its resting place for the night.
Nearly all the passengers had disappeared,
i stepping to the station platforms in melan-
eholy, casual manner which is characteristic OF
the inhabitants Of Cape Cod The rear car was entirely
empty, and in the forward were an elderly woman
eating an apple in business-l'ke way only these two
in the middle Of the car looking out xedy at the land
as a Of s,o he ra sd turned we
his arms were spread oyer the back Of his own seat
they used have the sunday-school picnics; there
the field where the huckleberres the thickes
there was old man Carver's barn looming high a
slopng hillside Reuben remembered we'll how he had
he'll ID build that barn. earning his first ten dollars by
Just opposite the station was the tavern; Reuben
thought had shrunk since he last it, and felt re-
to its for6;ddns dooI. found the lsndl.dy and hay
I
hM; aaS s IN ~
yet in bloom. but there pink glow through the
branches telling Of the sap that already wf S each
easily the long thin e.. grasses that pushed through the
Of the village and in five minutes more he had gained
the schoolhouse where stood as far as possible from
the center of civilization to be within easier reach
of the outlying farms 1t was dismal square wooden
building with two DOORS for the girls the other for
but It locked He sat down the steps and looked
St the % 'aE a c sd a aepped
little bunch of sassafas flowers the STEP and he took
them up, holding them thoughtfu!ly in his hand.
him twenty years before, and, till within eighteen
months. the moving spring Of his existence He sat in
sd
boyhood had been hard and unlove but never had he
known the pangs OF injustice and dsloyalty till that
His expression less lowering and more energetic
swinging step 1t was not long before hs reached
boundary line of the north acre otthe place where
sp nto @ love Of Dave had
children, they would be the fifth generation of Reeds to
great-grandfather had bought the place and put up
little two-rooned cabin; he had prospered and his
had been born as we'll as himself and Dave Every fibre
of his heart responded to the eloquent sent forth by
ing up their old heads through the short grass and by
the red brick chmneys of the house ITSELF which now
This was his as much as Dawes; he would turn out
the others and here with Grace to make their sum,
me. home where his had toed and s ed
had received back his fifty dollars with twenty years
The brute was predominant in his face he noisily
pushed back the garden gate scowng to notice that one
oath to the front door He pulled the glass bell-hande
but it in his hand and he was forced to rap
sartly with his He heard person moving hastily
window Of the room on the right Of the door. if
moment bolt was drawn and a thin, elderly woman.
whose faded face set IN anxious es stood before
Reuben
"Tve come to see Mr.. Reed, Mr.: David Reed said
Reuben in his authoritative manner Most people sue
eumbed to this manner OF his and it was one OF
Graces charms that she only laughed when he dom l
ineered- But the woman before him was more than
ordinarily Impressed; her eyes Of dim bue looked S.S
and her voice quavered she replied Hes not in
s but yua be Of her
her tin,id suggestion into question. . n
York for nothing" Reuben r returned grimly:
"Woud you mind sir stepping into the sitting. room?
The wsathers still cold and there's no fire in the best
aWll Mr. Reed b long away" asked Reuben after
husbands hard to move these days. and he's always tor
getting home as so W.s he he: ean rv who's. fresh
image he had carried with him all these years? He
looked hard at her she took her work. stocking
hsd Seen se living so ' mind Little by little he found
memories of the young schoomistress, but they were
as faded as the sassafras flowers he had picked up on
the schoohouse steps.
there's gentleman come to father. Lucy" said
toward the corner where Reuben had seated hlmsef
s'if e% the ss s aa asf ans;
didn't you at first
h. s the ehd Of Lue and Dave ' she pretty
with fragile prettness that holds world of pathos for
.nd the the pink t' the
Reuben did not understand these signs; he only
that sh: was as lovely as an appe-bossom and had
Put up your work. mother" she went " it's too
dark in here for you strain your eyes This is the
only time in the day when have the right for
moment. and guess I'll make the most of it,
I've no right to rest any time" said Mrs. Reed
queruousy surrose I'd ought try to do the milk
ing. since you cant It goes against to think of
those having to wait till Reub gets back for
it may be moren an hour YET
"Wel you sha'nt, and I can" said the younger
Lucy. gsily; I'm sorry for en- too. but don't see
why should suffer any than COWS"
Il used to milk every day when boy" said
Reuben suddenly why won't yo', let try my hand
while Tn waiting for your iat.cr:"