The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1912-08-01
Bread Upon the Waters.

No sound was heard in the room, but
the mans ouickened breath as he read
the letter, written in delicate feminine
hand. Duncan Halstead looked from
the paper to the strong, benevolent face
of the president. He attempted to
speak, but a construction of his throat
cut off the words. For time the two
men regarded each other IN silence; then
recovering from his emotion Halstead
spoke.
81 have no words with which to thank
you. The men are few who are willing
to trust an eX-convlct.
Zone mistake should not be allowed to
spoil mans life,' the president said
kindly.
II wish there were more people who
thought so. | came out four months ago
got Is off for good behavior
since then, until tonight, l have not
found one man who would trust me-
at is easier to believe in your re-
pentance than to believe it possible that
your mothers son could ever be con
Wet"
Halstead met the presidents eyes un-
finchingly "Do you know what it
means to see your mother dying when
her life could be saved for few paltry
hundred dollars? l knew it was Grim
iral offence to misappropriate the funds
of the Worthington Trust Company, but
God knows how sorely was tempted"
you took the money to save your
mothers life when she would have pre-
ferred death to dishonor." The presi-
dent pronounced each word impressively.
Though Halstead WINGED at the tone,
his glance never wavered.
That is why you made no fence"
the president continued, "but your
mother knows now. When did you tell
herr"
II have never told her," quickly de-
MED Halstead ''She thinks that the
money which paid her expenses at the
sanitorium was borrowed from her uncle.
All knowledge of the affair was kept
from her until she recovered
what does she think you took the
money for?"
Il don't know" Halstead hesitated,
then he went on slowly. sometimes l
fear she thinks that did it from vicious
ness.
The president reached fer the letter.
Folding it so only these words were Wis
ible, he passed the letter to Halstead.
Years ago you promised that if it
were ever in your power to prove your
gratitude to me you would do so. To-
night | claim the fulflmept of that
promise. You are familiar with the
story of Duncan Halstead, but did you
know that his mother was once Pauline
Hall, or that Duncan stole the money to
save her from slow painful death?"
Halstead read no further. He bowed
his head on his hands, while tears slipped
unheeded down his cheeks. Anger, re-
morse, humiliation were overshadowed
by the knowledge that his mother knew.
1t was several minutes before Duncan
realized that the president was talking.
AS he lifted his head, the president con-
tlnued in the slow, even tones of the
narrator:
81 was ragged, dirty boy, not wholly
depraved for my intense love for beauty
saved me from that when your mother
came on visit to our town. One day
she was going by our house whe.l my
stepmother, an ignorant, indolent, high
tempered woman, punished me severely
for trif1ing offence. My screams as |
ran from the house attracted your
mothers attention.
Though more than 30 years have
passed since then, have never forgot
ten the picture she made, standing there
IN her thin summer dress her hands fill
ed with flowers, and such compassion
ate expression on her sweet, lovely face.
She soothed my grief with tender words,
and when she saw me touch her flowers
with caressing fingers, she placed them
in my hand.
my rags nor my dirty, tear stained face,
h,1f fob L,o cho
warm, clinging kisses on my lips. These
appeal had won hers. When in few
ing the teasing of her friends at the con-
fathers permission and l went with
her.
Through her influence was adopted
went abroad with his family for several
years. When l returned eighteen years
ago, was the last time | ever saw your
mother.
Il came here about the time of your
trouble, but until tonight l never re-
ceived the faintest intimation that the
Mrs. Halstead of this town was the
woman whom | knew, years ago, in
Montana
''The debt owe to your mother can
never repay, but while we both live your
interest shall never cease to be mine. -
AS the president concluded, his hand
rested on Halstead's shoulder like g
+, benediction. With heart full of thank.
fulness, Duncan quoted softly:
"Cast your bread upon the water,
And as sure as God is true,
In this life. or in the other
1t will yet return to you.''
''Yea, and even unto their childre en- ;.
children the promise shall not fall"