The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-04-06
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swung himself into the seat.
"Let me drive them, father"
Forgotten how, haven't you?"
"NO, father"
"Wait a minute" The engine
hoarsely footed and the nigh horse
went up in the air. what did l tell
you-whoa there, whoa"
The team clattered up the main
street, the driver finally bringing
them down to a safe pace. As they
struck the highway beyond the viii
lage, the gray eyes turned toward the
younger man.
"Well, son, you've got an educa-
ton"
"Yes, father, and very good edu-
cation it is.
AN you're through college for
good and all?"
"For good and all.
The older man clucked to his team
"Well, I've done what l promised
your mother I'd do. I've sent you
through"
"I'm very grateful, father"
Just grateful in words"
in every way"
There was a little silence.
AN you think the education
pays?"
"Yes, indeed. No matter what
may do my education will be help
to me-"
Even if it's farmin'?"
"Yes, father"
"That sounds all right" He gave
the young man another quick glance.
"You know this schoolin' of yours
pinched me a good deal"
81 know, father. and l did my best
to make the expense as light as pos
sible."
But it pinched just tn same. An
you feel as if you were in debt to me
some, eh?"
II owe you a great deal, father"
"That's tn right spirit. An you've
come back to work it out, eh?"
"Yes, father. I've come back to do
my best to show you that appreciate
your kindness and your self-sacrifice. Z"
"Prove it," said the older man
tersely.
He turned the team into driveway
that led beside an old gray farm
house.
"Let me put up the horses, father. :"
He leaped down lightly and put the
trunk on the back porch of the farm
house, then drove the team across the
yard and into the barn.
The older man looked after him.
Seems strong an good-natured, {"
he said. II wonder how long his
good-nature will last" He turned
abruptly and entered the house.
When he had informed the old house
keeper that his son had come home,
he came out on the porch and washed
his hands and face in the tin basin.
9Th boy takes after his mother"
he murmured. Il never noticed it
so much before. Well, l did what
promised her I'd do. The boys got
his college education-an' thinks well
of it. Though how it's goin' to help
him in farmin' don't quite see." He
looked toward the barn. The young
man had come out and was just clos
ing the doors. Hes quick enough, {"
muttered the old man. "I'll get out
T to tn barn little later an see if he's
fixed things right. Hullo, what's
that?"
A cry from the broad pasture at the
left had startled him. Across it he
saw little girl running. Her hat
was off and her hair few about. The
young man heard her, too. He ran to
the fence.
what is it?" he cried.
The older man could not hear the
child's reply. But the young man
leaped the fence and started across
the field at remarkably rapid pace.
AS he passed the girl she turned and
followed him. Almost in a moment
he had dipped into the hollow beyond
the pasture and disappeared from
the older mans view.
"Harmon!" he cried, but it was too
late
The old man growled beneath his
breath and crossed the yard, scowling
angrily.
THAT was Jim Parker's little girl, Z"
he muttered. II s'pose Jims on one
of his tantrums. But tn boy had no
business to mix in it. Jim is likely to
hurt him. I'd go half mile out of
my way to avoid Jim when he's