The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-01-15

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track toward its restne-plaeSe for the night
Nearly all the passengers had disappeared
Il stepping 10 the station platforms i mclan-
choly, casual manner which is characteristic OF
tc inhabitants OF Cape Cod The car was entirely
empty, and in the forward car were elderly
surrounded by brown-papcr parcels, and brakeman
eating apple in busincss-like way only these two
with the important exception Of Reuben Reed He sat
in the middle of the looking hxedy the land
scapc 1t azily crcpt INTO view he had turned
the seat in front OF him. and his feet rested it, while
his spread over the back of his
AS the train crossed bridge a small river Reu-
ben sat up straghter here was the pine grove where
they used TO have the Sundayschool pcnics; there
was the field where the huckleberres the hickes;
there was old man Carver's barn looming high on
sopng hillside Reuben remembered well 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 shrunk since he last II, and felt
luctant to trust himself hospitality; but needs
must in certain combinations in life, he walked up
its forbidding door, found the landady, and. hav
ing made arrangements for the night, set out foot
along the sandy road that beside the track 1t
early in May, and the air was biting sunset drew
The rare applc-trces in the scanty orchards
not yet in bloom but there pink glow through the
branches telling OF the sap that already swecd each
bud The steady Cape wind blew IN his face bending
easily the long. thin grasses that pushed through the
sand on the sides of the road
Reuben walked with a swing that soon took him out
OF the village and in five minutes more he had gained
the schoolhouse where stood as far possible from
the center of civilization be within reach
Of the outlying farms 1t was dismal, square wooden
the boys. Reuben tried open the rlght-hlnd door
but it locked He sat down the steps and looked
at the small playground bare and grim, troddcn hard
by many hobnaied boots Some child had dropped
little bunch Of sassafras flowers the STEP and he took
them up, holding them thoughtfully in his hand
Here he was the threshold of 4 design planned by
him twenty years before, and, I'LL within eighteen
months, the moving spring of his existence He sat in
the very place where he had sworn to be reycnged
those who had wronged HIM, lad of nineteen. All his
boyhood had been hard and unlovey but had he
known the pangs of injustice and dsloyalty till that
last week at home.
His expression was less lowering and more energetic
he started off in the direction OF the old home with
swinging step 1t not long before he reached the
boundary line OF the north acre lot-thc place where
their farm began; and then feeling, ignored till then,
capt into conscousncsS-the love of land If Dave had
children. they would be the fifth generation Of Reeds
live there II was more than hundred years since his
greatgrandfather had bought the place and put up a
little two-roomed cabin he had prospercd, and his
had built the large square where ReubcnS 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
ing up their old heads through the short grass and by
the red brick chimncys of the house itself, which
into sight
This was his as much as Dawes he would turn out
the others and here with Grace make their
home where his ancestors had toed and STRUGGLED
with the obstinate soil; he would buy out Dave after he
had received back his fifty dollars with twenty years
interest at FIVE per cent
The brute predominant in his face as he nosy
pushed back the garden gate scowng TO notice that
of the hinges broken and cunched up the gravel
path to the front door He pulled the glass behandlc.
but II out in his hand and he forced to rap
smartly with his He heard person moving hastily
within, but he did not see face pressed against the
window of the the right Of the door, as If some
trying 10 who knocked imperatiycly. In
moment bolt was drawn. and a thin, elderly woman,
whose faded face set in anxious lines stood before
Reuben.
I've come to see Mr. Reed, Mr.. David Reed" said
Reuben in his authoritative manner Most people sue,
cumbed at TO this Of his and ii OF
Grace's charms that she only laughed when he dom
ncercd But the before HIM than
ordinarily impressed her eyes of dim blue, looked
like those OF kitten who seeks shelter beneath bed,
and her voice auaycTed she replied: " He's not in
just SIR but il you'd be good enough to wait"
She paused the upward infection of her voice turning
her timd suggestion into question.
Certainly III wait I've not travelled from New
York for nothing" Reuben returned grimy.
Would you mind, sir, stepping into the sttngroom2
The weathers still cold, and there's frc i'll the best
parlor"
II think he'll be back in less than an hour now; my
husbands hard to move these days and he's always for
Her husband Was this Lucy? Lucy, whose fresh
image he had carried with him all these years? He
looked hard at her she took up her work. stocking
she mendng. and tried TO find trace OF ono who
had been so living to his mind Little by Little he found
memories OF the young school-msrcsS but they
faded the sassafras flowers he had picked up
the Schoolhousc steps.
There's gentleman father. Lucy" said
her mother with mild rcproof in her voice, glancing
toward the corner where Reuben had seated himself
The girl started. Oh il real dar; IN here after
coming in from the sunset she said apologetically;
didn't you at frst.'
Don't mention IT., said RcUbcp, looking keenly at
- g.. the child Of Lucy and Dave She pretty,
~; fragile prcttineys that holds world of pathos for
those who read the meaning of the over-brillant
eye, and the exquisite wild-rose pink in the checks
Reuben did not understand these signs he only saw
that she was as lovely as an appic-blossom and had
taking little manner.
Put up your work, mother she went on: it's too
dark IN here for you 10 strain your eyes. This is the
only time in the day when have the right to rest for
moment and guess III make the most Of IT,
I've riRh, rest any lime" said Mrs Reed
querulously; suppose I'd oueh. try TO do the milk.
INC. since you can't II goes aCainst me TO think OF
those poor having wait till Rcub gets back for
II may be mo-e'n an hour yet
Well, you shan't and I can't" said the younger
Lucy gaily; I'm sorry Tor en-. too but don't see
why We should suffer any tlan cows
used TO milk every day when WAS boy said
Reuben suddenly: why won't Nou 'ct Try my hand