Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-02-07

4oDt now, but hope to send MIN soms
more bims by. We had some money
SAVED up for old age. but we've been
a-drawin' on It for Tom, and this Is
| al there u left"
When she went out with her draft
l found myself boiling with indigna-
tion at this worthless scamp who was
sucking the likelihood out Of his old
father and mother-even his sweet
heart.
There was a visit from the sweet
heart after this to ask for a draft OF
1880, which convinced me that Tom
had accepted the last amount she had
sent him. Then one day the old farm
/ er came In pale and trembling. evident
! " Just out Of sickbed., with the check
Of mortgage company for $1,000. He
! asked for a draft in exchange for 1t
payable to this vampire of son. We
bankers make 1t a rule to mind our
own business. but had reached
point where could no longer refrain
from warning this poor old man.
$50 you have mortgaged your farm
to send money to your son?' said.
"Yes; Toms in powerful need OF
money. The mine he thought was 60
In to turn out so fine petered out He
says 1t closed up as he went down in
stead Of openin'."
"And you lost all the money You sent
him for the Development"
"Yes. we lost It," replied the old man.
with tremulous voice.
"Aren't you afraid you'll lose this
tooT'
~ dunno. Toms got another mine.
He says he's sure o. this"
"Of course it's no business Of mine.
but don't like to see you, an old man,
mortgaging your farm to send money
to a son who should be giving you
money instead Of you giving 1t to him
Suppose you can't pay the interest on
the mortgage when 1t is due. You will
lose your farm"
The old man stood wiping his face
with bandanna handkerchief. the pic
ture Of misery.
II know what yer mean" he said.
"but ma she won't keep back any
thing the boy wants. She never did.
always told her she'd spoil him"
"I'm afraid she has spoiled him. You
should know that your son Is not vast
ing your money at gambling or some
thing like that and telling you that he's
on the verge Of making fortune in q
mine before risking any more money
on him"
That's what 1 tell ma"
At this moment the draft was laid
before me, but instead of handing 1t
to him said:
Hadn't you better think this over?'
He stood. his eyes fixed on vacancy,
slowly swaying or tottering. and
knew there was great contest going
on in his mind His love for his boy
conquered
I'm bliged to you. Mr.. Cashier, and
mebbe you're right. but l allus believ-
ed in my Tom. and can't go back on
him now"
handed him the draft, and he scuf
fed slowly out Of the bank.
The old man must have borrowed all
he could on his farm. considering the
transaction us a sale. for he failed to
pay the first interest that fell due ON
the mortgage. l knew this. because l
saw in newspaper legal no,ice of
foreclosure proceedings on his farm
well" I sighed. laying down the
paper, 1.-THE old man has given his
home to his reprobate son. He has
nothing more to give. l shall not suf-
fer again at seeing him come into the
bank to do what can't prevent his
doing"
On the street the same day | met
the young girl who l was sure was
Toms sweetheart. ! stopped her and
asked:
us Farmer Williams turned out of
house and homer
Not yet, SIR
But he will be?'
II suppose So
HAS his sen sent him anything to
help him?'
mo. sir. He wrote to say that he
was awful sorry to see the farm go.
but he could not help it."
HIN. Do you think son who will
treat his father and mother like that
would treat wife any better?'
Tears came into her eyes | was
ashamed at giving her this useless
pain. l walked on.
About month after this strapping
young fellow with fine, manly face
came into the bank and said he wished
| to open an account. | assented. and
he made deposit Of $49,5O6.
"Will you please leave your sigma
ture in this book?" / said. He took
| up pen and wrote:
Thomas Williams"
| "You Tom Williams?" l exclaimed.
| Eyes. What do you know about me?'
"Son of Farmer Williams?
"Yes."
"SOld yOur Dlinap"