The Prescott daily news., 1921-03-29
The Black Sheep By CENEVIEVE LUNAR
00 1921- Western Newspaper unlon)

tleG down in tnelr own new HOlhVS "' a distance There was a motive Tn the unusual epistolary incident. Just previous to sending the communlca- tions he had consulted his old friend and legal adviser, David Rowe, whom he trusted, and whose advice was al- ways asked and followed, and had said to him;
 Rowe have had great longing to see the children and find out how they are getting along for quite time back. 1 am getting old, long to have some of them with me. l have hinted to each one of them my wish, and they must all be aware of the fact that am prepared to give them DOT tion of my fortune if they fall in with my desires. Now Alan has become a doctor, Marcus a lawyer, Martha has married city broker Jeanette IS prominent socially, Norlne has gained some celebrity as lady lecturer, and, ah poor Harold the black sheep of the family as they call him l have not heard from him for over ten years, and l 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. 1 cant 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 1 have in vited each one of the six to visit me in turn,
 Mir Rowe made no comment. His eye had gowed as Harold Randall was named. He recalled the handsome ac- cOmmodating lad who had been his prime favorite when a lad, and 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 well, Yet the lawyer was somewhat curious and expectant when 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 it 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 having some monetary difficulties and as usual in- mean to him."
 And Harold?" 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 1 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 1 could get him d position in the old home town here among the friends he still chershes."
 It was a 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 all distinct disappoint- ment," reported Mir. Randall. Each one seems welded to Il self centered life away from the old home nest. Norine is absorbed in her own affairs among a set of reformers and literary prodigies, and Jeanette Is expressed in making her way as a social leader They were not at all effusive at set ting down in 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 ac- 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 fill he house with little ones who would 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 us the law yer was shown into the library of the Randall home it was to be greeted by the lad who had been an old-time fa- vorite. He greeted the prodigal son warmly and was pleased to note the glow of satisfaction and hope in the 1 eyes of his client
 And the family you wrote aboutY' observed Mir. Randall to his welcome