The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-07-07

son; 10 paving the way for the realiz-
ing of that ideal which had first taken
form when she had written Reverend
Thomas Jefferson Gordon" on the mar
gin of the letter to her brother Silas
As II fell out, the worst happened
that could happen. considering the APP
parent harmlessness of the exciting
cause Vincent Farley proved to be IN
anemc STRIPPING, cold. reserved, with
no surface indications of moral depraV-
IL. and with at least veneer of good
breeding. But in Thomas Jeffersons
heart he planted the seed of discomfort
with his surroundings. with the home
~ old house on the pike, unchanged as
yet by the rising tide of prosperity, and
more than all, with the prospect Of be-
coming chosen vessel.
1t was of no use to bark hack TO the
revival and the heart-quaking expert
ences of year agone. Thomas Jeffer-
son tried but all that seemed to belong
to another world and another life.
What he craved now was To be like this
envied and enviable son of good for
tune, who wore his Sunday suit every
day, carried beautiful gold watch, and
was coolly and complacently at ease.
BORN and travelled Ardea.
Later in the summer the envy died
down and Thomas Jefferson developed
4 pronounced case of hero worship,
something to the disgust of the colder
hearted. older boy. 1t did not last very
long, not did 1t leave any permanent
scars; but before Thomas Jefferso On
was fully convalescent the subtle fiat
terry of his adulation warmed the sub
ject of 1t into something like compan-
ionship. and there were Dragging
stories Of boarding school life and Of
the world at large to add fresh fuel 10
the fire of discomfort.
Though Thomas Jefferson did not
know it, his deliverance on that side
was nigh. 1t had been decided that
he was TO be sent away to school, CHA
wassee Coal and Iron promising hand
somely to warrant the expense; and
the decision hung only on the choice
OF courses to be pursued.
Caleb had marked the growing hun
ger for technical knowledge in the boy,
and had secretly gloried In ii. Here.
at least. was a strong stream of his
own craftsman's blood flowing in the
veins Of his son.
1T d be a thousand pities to spoil a
good iron man and engineer TO make a
poor preacher, Martha" he objected:
this for the twentieth time and when
the approach of autumn was forcing
the conclusion.
Il know, Caleb; bou you don't under
stand" was the invariable reioinder
You know that side of him. because
it's your side. But he is my son. too:
and-and. Caleb. the Lord has called
him!"
He's only a little shaver yet. Lei
him try the school in the CITY for a
year r so. goin' and comm on the rail-
roads. nights and mornin's. like the
Majors gran daughter. After that. we
might see."
Thomas Jefferson took his last after
noon for a ramble in the fields and
woods beyond the manor house in that
part OF the valley as yet unfurrowed
by the industrial pillow. 1t was not the
old love of the solitudes that called
him; 1t was rather a sore-hearted de-
sire to go apart and give place to all
the hard thoughts that were bubbling
and boiling within.
a long circuit over the boundary hills
brought him at length to the little glade
with the pool in its center where he
had been fishing for perch on that day
when Ardea and the great dog had
come to make him backslide lie won
dered If she had ever forgiven him
Most likely she had not. She never
seemed TO think him greatly worth
while when they happened to meet
He was sitting on the overhanging
bank, just where he had sat that other
day. when suddenly history repeated
itself. There was a rustlng in the
| bushes: the Great Dane bounded out
thought not as before 10 stand men,
acing; and when he turned his head
she was there near him.
"Oh. it's you, is it?" she said, coolly:
and then she called TO the dog andma
as If she would go away. But Thomas
Jefferson's heart was full, and full
hearts are soft.
You needn't rum" he hazarded II
reckon l amt going to bite you.
don't feel much like biting anybody to-
| day. I'm going to be a preacher"
Your" she said, with the frank and
unsympathetic surprise of childhood
Then politeness came TO the rescue and
| she added: I'm sorry for that, too, II
| you are wanting me to DE. Only
should think II would be fine to wear a
| long black robe and pretty white sur
plice. and TO learn TO sing the prayers
beautifully. and all that"
Thomas Jefferson was honestly hor-
rifled. and he looked II.
I'D like to know what in the world
| you're talking about" he said.
About your being a minister, Of
| course. Only i'm France they call them
| priests of the church"
The boys lips went together In a
| fine straight line. Not for nothing did
the blood of many generations of Prot
estants flow In his veins. Priest" was
| a Popish word.
The Pope of Rome is antichrist!" he
declared. authoritatively.
She seemed only politely interested.
| rs he? I didn't know" Then, with
tactfulness worthy OF graver years.
she drew away from the dangerous
topic. When are you going?"
To morrow"
is IL far?"
Yes; it's an awful long ways"
Never mind; you'll be coming back
after a while. and then Wen be friends
If you want to-"
I'm mighty gla6.' he said. Then he
got up. "Will you let me show you the
way home again the short, easy way
| this time"
She hesitated a moment. and then
stood up and gave him her hand.
I'm not afraid OF you now; we don't
hate him any more. do we, HECTOR"
And so they went together through
the following aisles of the September
wood and across the fields to the man
or-house gates.
CHAPTER VIII.
Tom Gordon-Thomas Jefferson now