The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1920-05-07
A FAR CRY
By GEORGE E. COBB

remark of his wife, and she looked dis.
appointed,
Don't you believe in encouraging
talentT she urged, and there was a
tritte of petulance in her tones.
Il do" answered Robert, but to be
plain with you, Marian, from closely
studying Waldron and having his real
welfare at heart, do not believe that
penchant for ragtime and slang and
an ambition to be popular clog
dancer will help Waldron in a bust
ness way. There is fine academy at
Leesville. Waldron needs discipline
and training. Why not fit him for the
serious duties of life instead Of for
its follies?"
'You are kill joy, Robert! Time
enough for Waldron to take on the
cares of life when he has had share
of its enjoyments." and Marian Fetch
er Haunted from the room.
1t was not the first misunderstood
ing of husband and wife, if it could be
termed such. Robert Wadron held
his temper steadily. as he always
did. Waldron was ever the bone of
contention between them,
Marian De LOrme was widow when
Robert Fletcher had married her, and
he married her for love. Her son was
made welcome to his hcme by Robert
until patience ceased to be a virtue
The boy refused to atterd school reg
ularly, he trained with an idle and
vicious group and he was insOlent and
disobedient. Robert tried to gently
lead the fond mother into a co-opera-
ton with himself to remove Waldron
from bad influences. but Mrs. Fletcher
jealousy stood up for the young
scapegrace, even to the point of pout-
ing and sullenness.
At the end Of two years of indiffer-
ent welded experience there came
about the parting Of the ways. Wal
dron grew from bad to worse. Twice
his stepfather had detected him in
thefts, and several times the unruly
member of the household had run
away from home, once with a circus,
again with troupe of travelling min
strels.
'But he has such brilliant instincts ="
boosted the mother, who had spoiled
him. "He sings like a lark and is
agile and clever as born athlete"
Finally Robert laid down the law.
He mapped out reasonable, sensible
program of school and home discipline.
The mother sulked and differed with
him. The stepson resented all strict
censorship. One day both left home.
and brief note informed Robert that
they would hereafter take care of
themselves.
He traced them to the city, but ali
efforts at a reconciliation were re-
pulsed. 1t hurt him sorely to hear
that his wife had lost all regard for
him. He kept the home open for sew.
eral months, had an attorney inter.
view the truant wife, was told bluntly
by the lawyer that she was a per-
verse, misguided woman, and then
Robert sold his home, Loyalty sent hall
the proceeds to his wife and went to
the far West to lead broken life.
His last instructions to his lawyer
were to the effect that he was ready
to renew his relations with his wife
and son at any time.
Robert settled in growing town In
Oregon and succeeded in a business
which he conducted only half hearted.
ly. At the end Of two years the law
yer wrote to him that Waldron hac
gone on the vaudeville stage and had
met with a fair reception. Later the
intelligence came that the hoy had
become a reckless gambler, had in.
volved his mother in financial way,
had stolen her diamonds, and desert.
ed her and had disappeared. No traces
of either mother or son were reported
for year after that. Then the law.
yer wrote he Lad heard that Waldron
was in a hospital in New Orleans,
broken in health. AS to the mother,
he stated that he had received a let
ter from her dated from small New
England town asking for the address
of her husband.
'Never mind the boy" came the
prompt reply from Robert. 81 know
where he is. By all means keep in
as close touch as possible with his
mother"
One evening Robert Fletcher was
seated in the elegant home his indus
try had acquired when there was a
call en- the phone. "Long distance"
was the notification from the central
telephone Office, and a city over a
thousand miles distant was named. he
took up the receiver:
"It Is Marian" came the tremulous
words that thrilled. MAY / come
homer"
A far cry! How his soul thrilled
A qufvering, longing reply: my dear,
you will be oh so welcome"
He was in the private Office two
days later when yelled woman was
shown in. She advanced timidly, to
fall upon her knees, her pleading
hands uplifted.
"Not there!" cried Robert, lifting
her up, "but here, next to my loving