Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-07-31

DlDle, ana read Few verses, and with
a shaking voice he had asked the
Heavenly Fathers blessing on his boy
and girl in the great city. He had
just read those words: Like as a
father pityeth his children, so the
Lord pityeth them that fear him." and
he was beginning to realize the long
ing OF the Heavenly Father, who was
as anxious to give good gifts to all
as the earthly fathers are to the chill
dren they love, but as he arose from
his knees he said: Mother | can't
make it seem right for Sam to leave
the old farm and go to the city. |
wish they were coming home tomor-
row."
The next day had the autumn chill
in the air, and the leaden sky seemed
only reflection of the old mans
mind.
Mother had prepared the dinner. 1t
was all on the table, and they were
seated as usual, but she had added an
extra plate for Sam and Sue, saying
"They might drop in just to surprise
US, and | want to be ready"
Father asked the blessing, which
expressed their thankfulness for all
the good gifts they had received in
the past years, but somehow he was
not really thankful, because his boy
was not there to share them. He had
just taken the carving knife and fork,
and cut a large slice from the breast
of the turkey for Mother when the
telephone rang, and Mother answered
it. AS she listened a sadness came
over her face, which Father knew
meant a disappointment, and instinc-
lively felt that it was a message from
Sam. AS she put up the receiver, he
asked, with surprise and emotion,
"What did he say"
Mother replied, slowly, Best wishes
for a Happy Thanksgiving Day, from
Sam and Sue"
"Then he isn't coming?" asked
Father.
NO." replied Mother, Il guess he's
having such a good time in the big
city that the old farm isn't much of
an attraction for him just now"
"a good time" calculated Father,
"a good time may be all right, but
when those city men can make boy
forget his old Mother, and put her
off with telegram when she's eating
out her heart for sight of her boy,
say damn the ethyl"
"Why Father, how can you talk SO?
Sam didn't forget US. He telegraphed
US his best wishes"
$50 he did, but he should know that
we want to see his face, and hear his
voice around the old place today, and
that a telegram is no substitute.
Damn the city | say, damn the city"
and the old man arose with lump in
his throat, and went out of the house
without having tasted his Thanksgiv-
ing dinner.
He wandered down to the little
brook where Sam had caught his first
fish with a bent pin and a piece of
string tied to a willow, but the lump
made him think of his boy.
A chill rain began to fall, and he
wandered back to the barn, which was
now empty, except for old Bill, which
he could not sell because Bill was
Sans colt. Sam had taught him to
come when he whistled, had put the
first harness on him, had taught him
to pull, and as the barn door opened,
old Bills whinny was more a note of
sympathy and inquiry than call for
food.
The fifteen empty stalls had held
ten cows and five more horses, be-
fore Sam went away, but what was
the use of keeping stock, and doing
chores, if Sam was not going to live
on the farm? SO the cows had been
sold. The old people were buying
little milk and butter from the
neighbors for their own use. The land
had been seeded down to grass, and
was to be cut on shares by neighbOr.
The old man quietly closed the barn
door, and walked to the old horse,
whose large eyes expressed the sym
pathy and lonesomeness he felt, if he
could not speak. Putting his arms
around the old horses neck, the old
man had sobbed out his grief: 30
Sam, why can't you see that real life
is not made Of fine clothes, and noisy
cities, with their electric lights ?
Clothes don't make man. Money
does not make him rich. You will
work out your young life striving for
something that will be only ashes in
your hands when you get it, and in
the day of your greatest need you
h.