The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-04-24

N0SC ~ Oh fCAJ easily
YES" said his father, IF he ever
reaches the stopping point. But he
never WILL
Now, pa" said Mrs. Harding, that's
just like you. You're always making
out that Joel is selfish. He's the warm
est hearted boy ever knew. He's do
Ing all this work In the city that he
may help US In our old age"
my dear wife" replied farmer Hard
ing, you have made two statements,
each requiring a separate reply. In
the first place, Joel is carrying out the
principle on which he set out to make
a fortune, and it indicates great self
control. But that principle is incom-
patible with his doing many things he
would like to do. In the second place,
If he ever makes his fortune and finds
q stopping place we will be too old to
enjoy the luxuries that his money will
buy. Well want only our lodging and
enough to eat We've got the farm"
Ten years from the time Joel went
to the city there were changes In the
firm by which he was employed The
senior partner died and was soon after
followed by the junior There was no
one to take the latter's place except
JOEL He was made a member Of the
firm and manager Of the business. He
had already become the slave to the
cumulative principle; he now became
the slave of an extensive business. AT
first he doubted If he was competent
to manage it, and this induced him to
devote his whole self to the purpose.
His attention to detail was remark
able. There was not man under him
who dared take any action whatever
without consulting him. This in time
broke down his health. Those inter-
ested with him begged him to leave
certain details to others. He refused.
Finally, to get him away from the bust
ness long enough to prevent its break
ing him down entirely, some of the
owners of the stock of the concern-it
had become corporation-got up a
conspiracy to kidnap him. They sue
ceeded in getting him on a yacht and
carried him out to sea. This broke the
spell. After a months cruise he re-
turned to his desk, and, finding that
the business had got on very well with
out him, he divided 1t under depart
ment heads, remaining himself direc-
tor of theawhole.
Joel had been so absorbed In his
business that he had forgotten all
about his father and mother on the
farm. He had at last reached the
point that had danced like an ignis
fatuus ahead of him. Money was
now no object to him. He could show
er his old father and mother with gold
coin and not feel it. He would not
write them; he would go back after
thirty years absence and supply every
possible want
One day prosperous looking gen.
tleman In a fur lined overcoat and
silk hat appeared at the Harding farm.
Mrs. Harding at the moment was
throwing pan Of dishwater from the
kitchen door on to the grass when she
saw the man and heard him call:
"MotherP
Then he advanced and took her in
his arms. Just then Farmer Harding
came In, looked at the gentleman and
wondered who he was.
Its Joel, par cried the old lady, be-
side herself with Joy.
Father, mother, I've made the for
tune went away to make when
boy. I've come back to give you ev-
erything you want. If you prefer to
stay here I'll build you palace. If
you would like to travel you shall have
ample funds. Tell me what way l can
serve you"
The old couple looked at each other
blankly. Neither spoke.
"Tell me, father, what can do for
your
81 don't know of anything 1 want
just now but little tobacco and a
new cob pipe"
The heart of the man with fortune
sank.
Mother, dear mother" he moaned,
surely there is something can do
for you"
eyes. l need new pair of specs.
Those have are too young for me-"
A few days later Joel went back to
the city, leaving his father and mother
in the same condition he had found
fhaTn