New-York tribune., 1910-01-09

We'll" he said cheerfu11y you've made
good. You're a success at last, a great, big,
glittering success, and I'm proud Of YOU
He did not observe the agItated ttutter OF her
big black eyelashes OF the glimner of tears they
tried to hide.
Gee" he continued, . but that crazy ped
dler has made trouble for mel Why. when the
folks read the papers this morning they shot up
into the air like a balloon. And they re still up
there putting with rage The old man says its
probably true the peddler IS your father
Mother walled it was bad enough 10 bring an
actress into the family; but TO drag an old
clothes man in with her-wel all she could do
was to throw up her hands IN despair. And the
things they said They talked about birth and
breeding and family position as If their anceS-
tors had come in the MaytiOwer. | Just
dropped a gentle hint 70 the old man that his
father was a tsh peddler less than two genera
tions ago. and reminded mother that her
father once carried a pack on his back-and
then | got out quick.
The loose strands of her wavy hair brushed
his cheek and forehead, sending = quiver
through his frame.
Dora he cooed now that you've sue
ceeded. now that YOU We justified yourself, are
you content Don't YOU think YOU ought TO
quit Don't YOU think its time that We"
Don't talk about that now She inter
rupted. . | am all upset by the excitement and
the complications" His arm easily overca1ne
the mild resistance she offered as he pressed her
form to his
very soon. I'm tired OF fusSing with the folks,
and I'm going to announce our engagement
publicly. And We'll also set date for the we'd
ding and you'll leave the stage
" But your parents. YOU must think OF them.
i've got them half reconciled to YOU, he
replied They'll come down To earth again
when they See the peddler Is crazy and that he
isn't your father. The ardOr Ot his love
blinded him TO the anxious, Careworn look on
her face and the uneaSIneSS OF her manner.
| saw the insane fool in the theater.' he
continued blithely. " He sat in the front row
with whiSkered friend and boy | thought
the three of them must have had several wheels
loose or that they were planted there by
Bracket for a purpose
4 saw them from the stage she interiected
by George have it, he flashed. Il see
it all nOw The whole thing Is press agent
story. 1t was arranged by Bracket to adver-
tise his show. IL VIII all die out in 4 day or
two"
DERHAPS," She sighed. They seated them
selves on q couch his hand resting ON her
shoulder. You know my fathers story She
said You have heard mother tell it, You
know how he was taken away one night and
shipped 10 Siberia. You know of our struggles
in this Country,-how mother worked for us.
how she shaved to make Aaron a doctor and
me-wfat | am. | cannot believe he Is my
father. My father probably Is dead. But If
he Is my parent Her voice broke ott IN a
sob.
Blum forehead turrOWcd IN thought.
can't conceive the old tirebrand who sacrificed
everything for liberty IN Russia turned into a
humble old clothes man over here. he replied.
That father OF yours was man of strength.
OF IRON purpose. You can Kill a man like that.
but YOU can't crush the spirit out of him.
Such men maintain the great traditions of the
race. They make me proud
But the greatest tradition of our race" she.
rctorted Is the VeneratIon OF the child for his
parents | could not love YOU | couldn't
respect YOU, IT | thought YOU were lacking in
that. And Your parents would be Mortified 10
ind that the glrl YOU chose As Your wife was the
daughter of poor pcddler
Well. they'd get over it, he responded
=" We are safe IN another great tradition IF our
race.-the love of the parents for their child
That love tranScendS everything else. II SCARS
above pride and riches and illunints their pov-
crty. There II be an uproar IN my family - be
sure: but IN short time there VIII bc calm. and
II know my father and mother IN two months
thevl be boaStIng that their son married the
daughter OF the great Russian patriot whose
brave fight for liberty and enlightenment sep
arlted hun from those who were near and dear
To- HIM Why, | can see the old man now cN-
pIndlng on the glorious struggle tor freedom
. hot tttl tlt..rv ,.t.1..