The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1921-05-19
Ia. l92l. We.tern newspaper Union,

ton Of my fortune If they fall IN with
my desires. Now Alan has become a
doctor, Marcus lawyer, Martha has
married a city broker, jeanette Is
prominent socially, Norine has gained
some celebrity as a lady lecturer, and.
all. poor Harold! the black sheep OF
the family as they call him! l have
not heard FROM him for over ten years.
and do not even know that my letter
reached him, for he Is a rolling stone
and wanderer. He was restless,
Independent character, probably has
NOT made any great progress In the
world, but he Is the only one Of the
group who has not at some time or
other borrowed or. begged from me
and had his eye on what he could get
from me. I can't leave him out In the
cold, for, with all his uncertain ram
bling ways, l think he was true blue
as to his regard for me. have in
vited each one of the six to visit me
In turn. ..,, sag, -r,e s-
Mr.. Rowe made no comment. His
eye had glowed as Harold Randall was
named. He recalled the handsome, &C.
commodating lad who had been his
prime favorite when lad, aud felt
that he deserved the encomiums be-
slowed by his father. He doubted not
that the proposed unique experiment
would develop Harold as the best one
Of the lot, as he mentally designated
it. He liked the boy and wished him
we'll. Yet the lawyer was somewhat
curious and expectant when a week
later he called upon his eccentric
client. .,.
Heard from the family?" he in
Quired casually.
From all Of them. Alan writes that
his professional duties make 1t impos-
sible for him to leave his patients.
; Marcus the same, Martha and Norine
will be here next month, Jeanette's
husband writes that he Is havin : some
monetary difficulties and as us lal In
dicates whats favor loan would
mean to him." 80
"And Haroldi" ventured the lawyer
eagerly. .....
+ ''He has set a date few weeks
ahead for himself and his family, he
writes. l wonder how many there are.
for l did not even know that he was
married. In his candid, impetuous
| way, he informs me that he has not
been very successful In his business
career, and hopes could get him q
position in the old home tow here
among the friends he still cherishes."
1t was month later that Mr.. Rowe
again called upon his client. He found
the latter a good deal disappointed, for
his daughters had come for few days
visit only, and had not made a very
favorable impression.
"They are al a distinct disappoint-
nent," reported Mr.. Randall. Each
one seems wedded to a self centered
life away frsR the old home nest.
Norine - ahoesbed in her own affairs
among a ~ sf rsformers and terary
prodigies, and Jeaostte is engr0ssed in
making her way as social leader.
They were not at all ELUSIVE at set
Ting down In q dead country village,
as they termed it. The old home has
no charm for any Of them, it seems.
They were hopeful and willing to &C.
cept a share Of my little. fortune. but
the glare and variety Of city life held
them firmly, and among them all there
are no children, and had hoped to I'LL
ky,., ho,,oD with 1t<Slo nono xuhr vyOaIf
be comfort to me in my old age"
But Harold" reminded Mr.. Rowe.
He will be here tomorrow, he wrote
me-" and the next morning as the law
yer was shown into the library Of tho
Randall home It was to be greeted by
the lad who had been an 0ld-time ia
vorite. He greeted the prodigai son
warmly and was pleased to note the
glow Of satisfaction and hope In the
eyes Of his client. ..sI>.
"And the family you wrote about?"
observed Mr.. Randall to his welcome
son. z,s# r. ..- 80
.:'Oh, left them at the hotel, the
wife and six little ones. l couldn't
LAAuN VI AlupOoAA6 uPOA yOu VAtA SAa"I
noisy brood. Tile truth Is, father, l
only hope you could get me steady
position here. I am tired Of knocking
about the world with no luck or pros
pects." 81.
"Six childrenv' cried the happy
grandparent. MY dear boy. you will
bring them up to the house at once.
There Is room, love and comfort here
for all of you in home that shall be
yours some day." !
And this was the welcome back to
the old life and the love with which
it was filed. the homecoming Of the
black sheep Of the family. who steadily
made good with the kind.hearted par
ent who found a new Joy and peace
surrounded by the, ,!trle brood who.
knew their 'nd,,lgtnt grandfather for
'hp first title in the' experience. 3