Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-16
cepyrisht, 1915 BY Frank l. Packard.


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Madison, quito In command Of him.
self again, stepped, smiling, into the
cottage. He took the Patriarch's ex.
tended hand ina cordial grip and nod.
ded understandingly - the other, with
quick rapid motions. touched lips, and
ears 10 signify that he conld neither
hear nor speak. Inwardly puzzled,
Madison searched the Pafiarch's face.
WAS the other playing . part? Could
he hear after all-and perhaps speak
as well II he wanted to7 There was
certainly no guile In the venerable,
gentle features, or was 1t guile Of .
very high order7
The Patriarch closed the door and,
drawing his own armchair to tho Ia
BILE, offered to Madison with courte-
Gus smile.
Madison refused BY gently forcing
the old man into 1t himself, pulled an
other up to face the Patriarch, sat
down and Fixed his eyes suddenly on
the ceiling above his head. Swaying
slowly back and forth was a sort Of
miniature punka Of waving white can
vas. He studied this for moment,
then his eyes shifted to the Patriarch,
who was regarding him humorously.
The Patriarch rose from his chair.
walked to the door, opened 1t, moved
he knocker up and down and pointed
ID the ceiling. The canvas was waving
violently now, and Madison traced the
Eord attachment, On h Htttie c ;,:::!!!!eys
across the ceiling to where It ran
through the door and was a6ixed to
he knocker without.
It was very simple. even primitive
every time the knocker was lifted the
cord was pulled and the canvas waved
back and forth. Madison nodded his
head and smiled approvingly as the
Patriarch once more closed the door
and resumed his seat.
And to think" he unused reproach-
July, "that l could have doubted him
/ for a single instant. He certainly hung
one on me that time"
The Patriarch reached into the draw.
er Of the table beside him, took out
% slate and pencil, scratched few
words and han1sd both pencil and slate
to Madison.
Your name IL Madison, isn't it7''
Madison read. "From New York;
Hiram told me about YOU"
Hiram" said Madison to himself,
us . man Of many parts and the most
useful fellow / have ever known.
Hiram, BY reflected glory, will some
day become famous" On the slate he
replied: Eyes; that is my name-John
Madison. It was good Of Mr.. Higgins
to speak of me-"
The Patriarch held the slate within
bare inch or two Of his face and
moved 1t back and forth before his
eyes to follow the lines. AS he low.
cred 1t Madison reached for it politely.
II am afraid you do not see very
WELL" he scrubbed. "Shall write
larger?'
Again the Patriarch deciphered the
words laboriously. Then he wrote and
handed the slate to Madison.
Il am going blind" he had written.
sPlease write as large as possible"
.pl,ndw Mad,,on.s .ttit,,de and AZ.
preston were eloquent enough not
only to be perfect Interpretation of
HIS exclamation. but to convey his
a ahs ana nsined surprise =. Wen.
The Patriarch bowed n. head .firm.
atiyely, smiling 4 little wistfully.
Madison impetuously drew his chair
closer to the other, laid his hand sym.
bathetically upon the Patriarch's sleeve
and, with the slate upon his knee.
wrote With the other hand impulsively:
II am sorry-very, very sorry. Would
YOU care to tell mo about itT'
The Patriarch's face lighted up while
reading the slate. but he shook his
head slowly O. he smiled again.
"By and BY, II you WISH" he wrote.
sick. and you have come to me for
helnYs
The nate now passed from hand to
hand uuite rapidly.
ayes" wrote Madison. "Can you
.r,ra ma ~
..No. renlied the Patriarch. mot In
,,o,,r ,n..sent mental condition"
;,axuh.ts A von .maan7. asked Madi.
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