The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-08-22
THE PARTNERSHIP

Michael Wood pressed his lips to-
gether and twirled his thumbs
thoughtfully. There was also a little
frown between his eyes.
His son stood looking at him ear
nestly, even pleadingly, as though he
were anxious to discover some sign
of relenting in his parents face. They
were like-and unlike. The elder
Wood was a little bald and he had
grown heavy with middle life, also,
his hair was grey about his temples.
His son was tall, and slim almost to
spareness, with dark grey eyes like
his fathers in color, Wide-set beneath
heavy brows, and firm jaw. 1t was
plain that their wills were about
evenly matched, but there the resem-
blance ended, for the youths. eyes
were studious, even mystic, and his
face such as a painter might have
chosen for model of some old asce-
tic; while the fathers eyes were
swift-glancing, appraising, the eyes of
successful business man. His whole
demeanor bespoke the wealthy mer-
chant.
Though it was evident that the son S
will had clashed with his fathers it
was also to be observed that the
youths air of quiet persistence was
not weaker than the mans determine
| ton. For a while the silence con-
| tinued. John Wood waited still. He
had said all that he intended to say,
all that there was to be said on his
side, and his father had already an
swered him. He was waiting like
wise, and meanwhile the froWn be-
tween his eyes deepened as John gave
no sign of accepting his decision.
Suddenly, he swung around on his
swivel chair and faced his desk. 1t
was strewn with papers. A pile of
unopened letters, the mornings mail,
lay ready to his hand beside a few
shorthand notes that his clerk had
placed there for his perusa1, a couple
of checks that awaited his signature,
and the morning paper.
The round, white-faced clock licked
loudly. Michael Wood could hear the
breathing of his son, the beating of his
own heart, but still the boy waited,
with an exquisite patience that seem
ed to fit the mysticism of his eyes.
The explosion came abruptly enough:
"You are fool, John. Go to -
," he added savagely; then, in
a weak attempt to justify himself he
added, "since you are obstinately bent
on having your own way. But remem'
Der, you have no help from me. Not
one cent of my money goes to you
when I die; not one cent will | give
to you to help you in this foolhardy
undertaking. Since you have notion
of being a beggar you shall at least
do the thing thoroughly. Now you
may go. You have my consent-on
those conditions
! Perhaps he expected the boy to
finch. If he did so he disappointed
him again, for he flushed, as though
with pleasure. A strange light of JOY
shone in the lads grey eyes as he
raised them to the elder mans face
Thank you, father" he said gently
holding out his hand in farewell, "You
will come and see me now and them
he added wistfully.
eff you are sure that you will want
me-" replied the merchant, little
softened in spite of himself "Have
you money for your iourney?"
The boy laughed a little, and the
sound relieved the tension: "Have
you forgotten the conditions?" he re
minded him.
"No, John. And I am not likely tc
forget. We Woods come of tough
old stock That is why l consent tt
let you go. An unwilling clerk is
worse than none; the business will be
all the better without you. But as
have given my consent, l will pay the
cost of your Journey
Better not, father. I would rather
let it be as you said"
you would rather, yes; but / d.
not SO choose. Sit down while l make
out check When do you go? Dom
; be long about it am-er-in hurry
, to see what comes of your expert
ment."
, Il had planned to go next week, bu
, l will leave at once if you prefer it,"
!, Michael Wood passed the slip O.
paper over to his son: Il have made
it large enough to cover the return
| Journey he observed.
'But-if | do not return?"
"Then-Bah! 1t makes no differ
; ence. Now go, l have lost too muc1
time already. If you change your
: mind there is stool for you in the
outer Office until you have learned the
business, and a partnership for you al
soon as you have proved yourself"
The boys lip quiyered just a little
not because he dreaded leaving these
things, but because he could not make
4 his father understand that the other: