The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1920-05-06

BY RALPH HAMILTON.

q
Martin Gale was running away from
home. He was over sixty. hair whit.
as the driven snow. slightly stopped
looked his age. hut his eye was bright
aud his step elastic.
I've done u according 60 the story
books" soiiloqulEed the aged truant
''out ~ the hack window, n slide down
the Kitchen roof aud everybody IN the
house asleep. hope IN. folks don't
worry. II was all could do 10 help
out had situation"
Old Martin had begun with n within.
seal chuckle. hut ended up serious and
thoughtful. He was facing the world
all alone without n penny: he had no
thought Of turning back. There were
three persons whom he loved devoted.
iy-his daughter. Eta. his son.in-law.
Allan Porter. and their little four. year.
old child. sunny.faccd. golden haired
Nina. lie chcked M when he called
M n picture % the latter climbing 20
his knee and carcsslng fondly his wrin-
Killed. face.
Hard times had come to the porters.
The husband aud father had fallen ~.
had lost his position aud had been
obliged TO depend upon spasinodic In
ferior employment. There were times
when there was little In the iar,ier and
nothing In the household purse. Long
since old Martin had learned that he
was not wanted IN the active fields of
labor. lie had pottered about the rent
ei home and had raised few yegcta.
hles. In winter had picked M stray
dollars shovellng snow and helping the
Ice harvcsters On the river. hut had
not the strength 10 keep up such ardu-
Gus tasks regularly.
''rm the oldest and the biggest 20
feed and keep warm" he reasoned.
"and burden on them. I'm welcome
and all that. hut 7 am taking what the
others can't spare"
lie had left behind him n note tell
ing 81 his resolve. bidding Eta and
her husband have no anxiety for him.
for he was sure that In some buster
place than Mayvi'ie he would be SUR
10 ind some odd iob nued TO his ahif.
iiy. All the time he had n definite
point In view. lie had been brought up
In n place called Brocton. hut had left
II twenty years previous. lie was by
this time doubtless forgotten by many
old-tine acqunin,ances. SIN. the long.
ing 20 Ect back 20 familiar scenes. the
hope that he might meet some helpful
friend 81 his earlier years. iured him
to the home OF his childhood Just as
does the circus or some other fascinat.
ing objective point the Juvenile run
away and rover.
Martin had saved M even pennies 20
get enough 20 take him towards Broc-
ton. A. II was he found himself quit,
an amoist short OF the necessary fund,
IN reach his destination. lie took
train and when his money gave out
had 10 leave II with some twenty-five
miles yet 10 accomplish.
Sturdily old Martin started out 20
tramp over the last stretch ~ hts Jour.
ney. Asking for drink ~ water M
farm house. the woman who supplied
that need noticed his age and weari-
ness and invited him 20 n homely. bu,
meal.
II was dusk when he entered the
edge ~ the home town he had no;
seen for twenty years. lie was foot.
sore. unsteady Of gait. faint and wa.
vering. There was n prc,entious man.
sion surrounded by beautiful grounds
and he stepped over the hedge and
started 20 reach an ornamental bench
10 rest HIS weary limbs when exhaust.
ri nature gave way and the Old mar
'ell PROSTATE In n dead swoon.
Light. warmth and two genial young
faces bending over him ne he lay on a
'ouch In a luxuriously furnished apart.
men, greeted hts dnzed senses. The
vain solicitouslv regarding him
seemed 20 be brother and sister.
"You are with friends" spoke tho
roung man. Don't excite or disturb
Yourself until you are completely rest
u"
"Rut where am ~" Inquired Martin.
Ittlnf M, 1T was only n little weak
Ipell."
1--WE found you on the lawn" said
~ host. There was letter IN your
'ocket bearing the name Martin
iale'"
II am he"
"Did you ever know that perSonf
inquired the young lady. Indicating an |
N portrnit on the wall.
"whyi this must he the old Ran.
ON place. and that Il John Ransom.
= he living YETI u he heref''
EMO. my father has been dead many !
ears" replied the Young man. "You
M him an net ~ Kindness once that
either he nor ourselves ever forgot. |
'ou changed the entire current % his
Ife. DO YOU recnll itf'
"why. IN those old days Mr.. Ran
ON was given n little % drink" re-
pended Gale half evsslveiy. 'and /
brought him home one cold winter
Tight"
Carried him two miles on your
ack, you mean. found by YOU. lying
tupened In a snow bank where he
lould have persisted hut for your time
J aid And. true man that you were.
GU concealed the fact from the public.
vh.n father recovered his right mind