The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-08-03
For Duty's Sake


back to the old country, for the pro
fessor has just written me that there
is small opening in the uniyersitat"
The kindly, wrlnkled face, turned
ND to him. beamed with pleasure.
"Ah. Karl" she replied. 1T makes
me so happy! At last we can so
back to where the father has died
Here everything has been so strange
to me. cannot feel myself one OF
them. It is the Heidelberg that calls
us again, Karl"
The warmth of her feeling was
shown by her quivering lips and
misty eyes. Tears Of new born hap
piness trickled down her cheeks and
fell upon her worn and rusty waist
of black.
"Yes, mother, we shall go back to
the people who understand US
shall 20 and write at once
lie turned away suppressing
weary sigh. and entered his httle
room The forced gladness OF his
look and manner departed, as the cur
tains fell behind him. SO this, then
was the end of all, the sum total OF
all his years of work, Again ana
again he had tried to get a ioothold
in the country, to get a chance. NOW
he was returning, a seli-coniesseu
failure The only balm offered TO
his griefstricken soul was the nap
niness of his mother 1t had been
her one desire to return home. She
had always called It home, there IN
her native land. For years he had
seen a wistful look upon her race
and had read it Alright. 1t was the
home. calling for her to return to the
Mace where her true friends were'
where her husband lay buried.
Suddenly the doorbell rang. 1t was
the last delivery. 81,
Letter for you, Mr.. Schumacher
tbe postman said cheerily, as he saw
the silent and weary expression on
the face of the man who opened the
door. He could read such express
sions.
Kari took the letter, and went back
| to his room and read:
"Mr. Schumacher:
Dear sir-You have been appoint
ed to a position in the Department
of Agriculture. on the merits of your
recent botanical thesis The place Is
advantageous for original research
and affords ample opportunity for
rapid advancement The salary viii
he 1890 to begin with. Further in
creases depend entirely upon the
value of the services rendered. Sin
cerely yours,
"SEC. OF AGRICULTURE"
He read and reread the letter
which had the effect of an Overlooking
draueht of happiness, poured into a
despairing heart. The cloud OF dis'
appointment that had hung heavy
about his brow melted, as under a
sunbeam. and a burst of happiness
lightened his haggard features. His
reward had come at last! Now, there
was everything before him. The
heavens were once more bright and
rosy. The world put on its holiday
hues. lie would tell his mother, that
she. too. might share his cup OF JOY
He rose hastily and went toward.
the door with a joyful note, full OF
his lips, drew aside the curtains, anC
paused.
She was asleep. Lying back In The
old leather arm chair, her face, hel
very attitude, showed absolute con
tentment. About her mouth there
hoyered a smile, as though she wa'
dreaming pleasant dreams, while
the light of the little oil lamp
by her side shed radiance
over the time worn features, that al
most hallowed them. 1t had been 81
long since he had seen that look o
, peaceful rest upon his mothers face
that the man stopped in sheer won
, derment. Then he remembered ina
recollection was stab to his new
, born hopes, for he knew she wa
dreaming of home, the place that sh
was going to see. He had promise
1 II to her. Even now, she was keeT
, ing. in the land of spirits, of dreams
3 a tryst with the dead.
' A last look of numb misery, wit
9 intermingled filial love, and he lie
{ the curtains drop noiselessly. Hoy
t could he take, so soon after giving
e that new found happiness froI
n her and darken the last years o. he
n life? But there was his chance, tina
n he had been demanding so long.
/ had come to him. What was he goin
to do with it? The lighting demon
of ambition, of glory arrayed then
selves in crushing numbers again'
e his better self. Why must he civ
Q up the oportunity of lifetime? n,
l. he would break it to her gently To-
: ingly. She would understand.
7 Once more he went to the curtain
D. and looked. The sight of the ha
e plness, engendered by him. on h'
IS face, scared with the strife of man
II years, awakened in him the lit
+ guiding voice, which, single-hande
ID stood to fight off his worldly thought
u The weight of his heartfelt emotc
% increased as he reflected upon VIII
~ her life had been, so unselish,
u helpful, giving all Now that she WI
= to reap the goodly harvest was he
VI snatch It from her?