The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-09-24

This Is all very strange said the 4
aid man Il had never dreamed OF !
such a thing. / knew you had met a J
few times. but only In the most casual
way. I've talked about you AT home.
No doubt / have spoken very well OF
you. But / don't remember that Edith
showed any particula rintSfest In the
subject. Perhaps she did. Fathers are
usually blind. And when did you nnd
out that-that this disquieting innu-
ence was destroying your peace OF
mind?"
The young man smiled
The expression has weak sound
when YOU use IL" he said. And yet
I'm not ashamed TO admit that II de-
scribes the situation. My peace or
mind has been affected ever since Me
mortal Day. Perhaps you will remem-
Der that | was working In the once
when you and Miss Edith came down
IN your car You said II was plA/
hat the big flag on the stan on
factory cupola had twisted itse
he halliards And then | wei
and Strengthened II out.
The most foolhardy thing
witnessed" growled the old m
Not for me-" said the young
And after | came down and
nv desk your daughter enters
ofice and ! saw that her cheeks
pale-I hadnt dreamed OF frigh
,nybody-and her eyes shining
she said very softly. That was
did, And the look she gave IN
he rnischief-althoughl was asha "a
to think l had gained II by sud
cheap circus trick
The old mans face had grown
grave.
You are fine fellow. George,
very fine fellow. This little commence
out here under the willows only adds
10 my regard for you. I'm AFRAID most
Young fellows would have smashed
ahead without any regard for a faith
er's feelings" He hesitated, You are
a sensible boy. You have thought over
his matter carefully You realize just
2 what il means"
r Il think" he said that ! would
i've TO leave your employ on the first
Of the month"
Z The old man was startled.
Here here" he cried. you mustn't
take ofense. No doubt my suggestion
was clumsily put You have confused
J. me BY your unexpected revelation. he
paused and stared at the young man
See here" he said, with great sud
i senness. well have family council
n oyer this matter-you and Edith ;
o mother and Edith's father"
The young man hesitated moment
VERY we'll" he said. You are kind
to nut yourself to all this trouble.
Fan see no hope in the council you
suggest but at least II will give me
IS the chance to set myself right in the
e mind N0f Edith's mother
IS n waN just S O'Clock that evening
when Georce Wright was ushered into
The Prescott liNary. moment iA'ei
"A be was Joined byNis employer. -
!. Good evening. GeSsss Wa et IS
y latter's greeting. Take h4S easy cnail
81 Mrs. Prescott will be hereN<--s...---.
h Edith Is at the Fannings. and she just
called her mother on the phone AS
he spoke the lady entered the room.
y. Mary this is my Office manager, Mr.,
Wright. You have heard me speak
~ him"
le The lady graciously gave the your
Y man her hand.
70 Mr.. Prescott has mentioned yd
! many times" she said. and alway
~ favorably." She looked at him cur
ously as she took her seat. He bore ID
scrutiny well, as the lady admitted
- herself.
d. 81 am placed in an awkward posi-,
x don. madam" he said. and yet II IL
10 one that | have willingly assumed. I
welcome IL because il gives me the
chance to say something in my own
y defense" M
That is not a suggestion Of mine.
George" said the old man
&c The lady held UP her hand and
k. shook her head at her husband.
- I'VE will let Mr.. Wright proceed
without interruption. my dear" .f,
q The young man hesitated a moment
Is If you will have tlr~ patience To lis
~ ten" he said, Il VIII tell you some
~ thing about myself | want you to
know why II is that have not done
more TO improve my opportunities
= Perhaps Mr.. Prescott has wondered
:" why I have been so reucent concern
n ing my early experiences. ! want him
10 to know that while am not ashamed
ar OF them, they were not Of char acter
to be recalled with any satisfaction"
" He paused and looked around. My
= father was OF New England stock but
T with New England thrift or Ne~ Hn
h land industry Ny mother vas the
daughter Of a farmer and my father
soon made OF her a drudge. II was
b. not pleasant house. We were very>
poor. Then my father grew morose
y and developed a cruel disposition lie
s. frequently beat me for trivial rants.
e. After one OF these beatings 1 ran
10 away. / told my mother OF my deier'
minatiou and she bade me go. There
le was a circus at the next town and>'
In vent away with IL. 1t was hard life
An for for a boy OF IL. There was
IS trained elephant in the show and
- helped the keeper. lie was drunk
II; --r =
Cihraltar