Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-02-10

ar the undecided group OF theater at
taches the words of the song with
haunting mockery.
When. at In the morning. his valet
admitted him to his apartments Killing
had worked himself into frenzy. He
seemed obsessed with the notion that
the valet In some ingenious way was
responsible for the hideous words of
that song and treated him accordingly.
He tossed sleeplessly until daylight.
the words Of the song pounding his
eardrums increasingly. Gradually the
whole line blended into one word
home.
"Confound that Internal. asinine,
wordv'
Irascibly he got up and dressed. sent
for his automobile, dismissed the
chauffeur and all that day motored
alone over quiet country roads that led
through peaceful villages and over pic
turesque hills.
One moment he would viciously shift
the throttle wide open. sending the car
hurtling along at a reckless pace; then.
coming quick change Of mood. he
would slow down sharply, lean back
against the cushions and gaze thought
fully over the peaceful fields as his
machine chugged slowly along
All the while "Old Folks ut Home"
harassed him like an memorable thing
of chastisement.
The sarcasm and mockery were still
In his face. but there was also some
thing else creeping in there-lines
which bespoke torment and raging
conflict.
peared again In the famous third act
scene Killing, pale and tense, sat alone
In the deep shadows Of box. With
eyes that burned with strange emotion
and perfect sobriety he leaned eagerly
forward as If his soul were drinking In
the melody through eyes and ears.
Again was the singer recalled repeat
eddy. AS she appeared for the fifth en-
core and the orchestra had started In
on lively prelude to some Scotch air
Killing, his voice strangely hoarse and
shaken, called out. "Suwanee Riverr
Instantly the call was taken up en-
Enthusiastically all over the house. A
wave Of applause shook the theater.
With smile the prima donna nodded
to the orchestra leader. and a moment
later the rich. clear voice of the singer
was clarifying the old folks at home
Killing was as tense and motionless
as man of stone. Precipitation damp
ened his forehead: his dry lips stood
apart; wide eyed, he clinched his nails
thing detached that foated upward
with the melody of the song.
With indescribable pathos and ex-
preston, her voice low and trembling.
the singer paused; then Far from the
old folks at home" floated out and up
ward like a benediction. 1t was grand,
dramatic, glorious
Something like a sob surged up into
Killings throat. His eyes blurred.
The following morning early he dis
charged his valet and chauffeur. sold
his machine, resigned from his club.
gave up his apartments and packed his
trunk. Then, his passing as unobtru-
sive as~his advent had been vaingo-
rious. he dropped completely out of
sight.
Two years later and four years after
the stormy scene with his father Rich
ard Killing again crossed the threshold
Of that grim gentleman's office.
Inside the door he waited respect
fully while the stern faced, gray hair
nl hnad IF tho sfa be ~,
ished the signing Of certain papers be-
fore him on his fat mahogany desk.
Pausing, pen suspended. the elder
Killing glanced up briskly.
"WellT
II wish to speak to you on behalf of
the men, SIR
The other gave start and leaned
forward. -Richard-why'-
He could say no more. For a time
he stared into the marvelously chang.
ed face in silence. Slowly his apprais.
ing glance travelled downward, taking
In every detail of the sons clothing
and lingering wonderingly on the big,
grimy hands. Again he spoke
hoarsely.
w AdL uOcS luC VI ELL
ployees matter to your"
"A great deal. l am one Of them.
and find they are underpaid."
"One of them?" Skepticism and as
constituent gave varying infections to
his tone of voice. Zone Of them?
What do you mean by that?"
"Just that. For two full years
have worked out there in the shops.
began at the very bottom. know
whereof speak"
Again the father surveyed the son in
silence, searching his face long and
critically. Slowly look Of conviction
crept into his face, softening it and
paving the way for one of great hope
and qualification. Then. smiling, he
pulled out his lips in mild reproof
"Then-er-you did not observe my