The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-06-17
O. J. PRATT

the little cottage dead. The old farmer
still hardening his heart, would not visit
the stricken homeland threw aside the
pitifIl letter his sons wife wrote him
But Dora, who had loved William, went
TO the humble home and brought such
comfort as she could. And then she
thought Of a way TO soften the farmer 1
heart. She took the baby boy from the
mother and laid him in the conheld where
the farmer would see him. But the old
mans heart was still hardened and his
words were bitter when he found the boy.
Then Dora ran back and told the poor
little wife what had happened, and the
heart OF the mother swelled with outraged
love and dignity and she ran swiftly, with
Dora following, TO bring back her child.
And 10! when they neared the house they
saw the old man playing with the child
and holding him to his hard old breast
and crying over him. And when he saw
the two women he beckoned to them and
they came nearer and noted how broken
he was, and then he opened his heart and
arms and his home to them and to his
sons child
Old Abner Carter rose UP when the
little story was ended and stumbled into
the open air. He dimly noticed on
lithograph sheet at the door as he went
out, that one OF the films Illustrated Tenny-
sons Dora" but he knew nothing OF
Tennyson-and besides his eyes smarted.
He hurried back to the tavern stables
and got his team and drove home. The
next morning he was busy with sheaf
of papers and later came to the village
and visited the bank. In the afternoon
he took the stage for Burlington.
The next morning with his frayed va
lise gripped firmly in his knotted hand,
Abner Carter emerged from the Grand
Central depot and looked around-a
little dazed. But presently he straight
ened up and plunged boldly into the crowd
He found a modest restaurant and ate
breakfast that he didn t like, and then
started out on the quest that had brought
him to the great city. He had the last
letter Sylvia wrote him-the letter with
the address at the top Of the sheet, and he |
asked big policeman where the house |
was. The officer looked at him curiously. |
Straight out this street," he said |
Just two miles il you want the walk"
III walk, said the old man and he
stepped off briskly.
he had gone mile perhaps when he
decided to cross the street. A curious
building drew him to a closer view.
He was still little dazed by the hustle
md roar of the city.
As he stepped from the curb a shrill
'oice warned him. He Numbered ahead
md was swiftly howlad o,,ar h., o, 80 ,
Mobile. ~
A policeman reached him almost in
family and the automobile driver stopped
rs machine and quickly ran back. They
lifted the old man to his feet and held
nm up. lie had been knocked down.
lot run over, and his head had been
jumped by the fall. He wasn't hurt he
old them.
Hospital?" the automobile driver
whispered to the policeman.
The keen old ears heard him.
This is where want to go.'' he MR.
lured as he fumblingly brought out Syl-
IA s4address. The driver and policeman
Relatives?" the driver asked.
Daughter the old man answered
~ II have him there in half a minute . :
aid the. driver. "Help me get him to
ne machine" "
It was brisk and brief ride, but the :
Ia man took no note of it. The gray
ead ,toppled back against the cushions
no the DIM eyes closed. In a stupid
ay ne was dimly conscious that he was !
eng helped up many steps and then he !
st all consciousness.
lie awoke with the sunshine streaming :
ITO the room, beautiful room. high and
inng. His head ached little. hut he
1T refreshed and keen and even hungry :
ms head turned on the soft pillow he
Nv that he was not alone. A child was .
ting by the bedside, girl whose smilinu
ue eyes met his wondering gaze. a o;ri \
hose slender fingers were twined about
s brown old hand. '1' 8
ftl Hie as You awake Ma gTandpaf" the child
a a,,y n; asked. I'm Sylvia, you know R
;ul attle nurse; And you are to take a
INK from the glass as soon as YOU wake 8
that's what DR.. Van Gorder said
81 me help you" Holding the glass u
one hand she clambered carefullv on +,
: pea. Then slipping round arm un-
7 the gray head she put the glass to +
oner lips. -
Mhy' grandpa" she said. "you re g.
ylng, Does your poor head hurt Won ''
IN call mamma-she's waiting at n
e door. MammaIn e az u
ana sylvia came-so much like the \,
oyivla-and ran to him and put her I.
ny hair. '''Neu JUS :
, I'm so glad you've come, father, ,, I
Sylvy, said the old man in q ho.