The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-01-22

old friends asked him many questions
about his illness. The subject dis
tressed him so much that they didn't
press him. After a time the town, ac-
cepting the fact that jim had been
very ILL, and that the illness had made
him much older, ceased to talk about
him. Something else developed to en-
gage tho attention of the people and
things moved on in their old grooves.
Jim applied himself to business even
more earnestly than before. Kenyon
was more kindly than ever in his at
titude toward him. They didn't dine
once week as formerly, but once a
day. Kenyon wandered into he store
and chatted with the .'oung man. Jim
was much embarrassed at first by
these visits, but gradual lie became
accustomed to them. Once he sug-
gested rather timidly that Mr.. Kenyon
slpuld have the books examined
| NO, Jim; that's all right said the
Is MIN
II ever man worked to show his ap.
precision of another's consideration,
Jim did. The only way he could make
good his defalcation was by making
the BUSINESS pay more. And the bust
ness did. The profits increased stead
lily. With each increase Kenyon IN.
creased Jims pay despite Jims pro.
test. He did more. When an electric
light and power company was organ
lied and a trolley line was built, he
put some stock in Jim's name and
made Jim a director. He made him
an officer of a new land company and
one day astonished Jim by telling him
he was going to make him a director
of the bank.
Kenyon Explained It All.
There came another change in the
administration at Washington. A new
party came into power. Parker Sc
nior lost his job. He didn't live long
after that. Kenyon showed more re-
spect to Parker dead than to Parker
alive He went to the funeral. AS
they were leaving the cemetery he
| asked Jim to dine with him that night,
as inns own home would be sad and
chealess. After the meal Kenyon
and Jim sat and smoked in silence
for a long time. Kenyon was the first
to speak.
"Jin," he said, your fathers death
ia a great sorrow to you no doubt, put
it is better So"
There was something about Ken
yon's manner that told more than his
words. Jim started to speak out Ken
yon checked him.
az know the whole story he said
50 kno, how he speculated with tie
nostoaice funds, and how to save him
from Jail and disgrace you Juggiea
things in the store. You should lave
come to me, but suppose you realized
that I never sympathized with your
father. wish | could have saved Io"
from all the bitterness you underwent.
7 searched high and low for you "hlle
van we're away. | may be rather
hord hut | never could forgive your
father for letting you bear the burden.
mo don't interrupt me. have neld
this thing in long enough. What l
wont Won to know now is, that when
vou took that money you took your
own and not mine. What | have IS
vours I haven't chick or child. E''
ervthing | have accumulated is lor
von but l didn't want to let you
Lnow this while your father ''' "a,
NM I'D hard lesson. Maybe it VIII
all be for the best .u;,a r.
lin wet.eyed and confused, tried 10
ovnress half a dozen ideas IN the sa'hs
sentence. He couldn't uhoeFs. ..''
!, 49, be had ever done to warrant
snch regard as Kenyon haa sAoM oa
s. al his life. The big man stopper
/ him. Cor avervt,ine,
. INV how he said, as he put Ms 4; a'n III
nround inns shoulder Mayo !. =, 10
a ~. as we'll that you should know tnls
! Jus. JUS az youy father married the woman
( loved"