The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-01-13

how she reminded him of Minnie. His
daughter had looked just like that
when she was q child.
He rose and went home, frowning,
and anyone who had met him on the
road would have thought he was the
surliest looking man that he had en-
countered in many a day. But once
in his room the old man paced the
floor, shaking his head and conscious
of the same sense of uselessness.
He could not sleep. The child was
before his eyes all night Minnie!
What would he not have given to have
had those years again, when Minnie
was a baby?
"Old Crouch" was at his worst next
day. He refused three applications
for increase of salary, scolded the de-
partment managers roundly, and made
himself even more feared than usual.
But at night, when the force had gone,
he crept quietly out of the office, after
ascertaining the night watchmans adj
dress.
He, "Old Crouch was going to tell
the man that he could come to work at
eight, as usual Poor devil of a
Waterman! He was not so much to
bllme, if his story was true!
The address was poor street off
Third avenue. Randall gazed around
him in disgust as he passed through
the slum. A bewildered man was
clinging to a post. Two shrews were
scolding each other from different
doorways. What a place in which to
bring up child Suppose it had been
Minnie!
At few minutes after seven he
stood before a door in a tenement
building. He rang, and a tired-look-
/ ing woman opened to him. The wom-
an was Enthusiastically the mother of
the girl. And, weary as she was and
| poorly dressed, she was Enthusiastically
a lady.
Good evening, Mrs. Kimball," said
Randall roughly. I'm Mr.. Randall,
and I've called to say that your hus-
band can have his job back"
Liz holLlSiu Slcll GU at MN III ICl VI :.
TIN I'm not Mrs. Kimball," she
stammered, and ran back into the
apartment. Randall heard her sob
bling as she ran.
Then he was aware of a tiny figure
at his side, and the little girl was
looking up into his face.
odd Crouch p she lisped "Old
| Crouch, come and see papa"
1t was strange that the childs touch
turned his will to water. Randall suf-
fered her to lead him by the hand
He went into dark passage and
halted at the door of a tiny room. 1t
was almost dark inside, but he heard
the woman sobbing at the side of the
man who lay there. She rose and
| turned and faced him.
Il am your sons wife," she said
with simple dignity.
And in the dark Randall, incredu-
Ious, saw the figure upon the bed.
Il guess it was mistake" the wom-
an continued. This is my little girl,
and Mr.. Kimball has been taking her
to the office nights while my husband
was i'll. You didn't know, and-there
is no need to stay, Mr.. Randall"
Randall struck a match with trem-
bling fingers and looked at the man
on the bed. He saw the fever-tlushed
face of his own son, whom he had
| thought gone forever. And then the
mans will broke. "Old Crouch"
kneeled down at his side.
'Horace"' he whispered, taking his
hand in his. Horace, you will come
home. l have come to take you home
you and your wife, and-and Leon
ora. l have wanted you-heaven
knows how much" he continued.
only l didn't know it."
The woman turned away her face.
Not now" she answered. I'VE do
not want your forgiveness after these
years."
Randall looked at his son. "Hor-
ace?' he asked.
But the sick man turned his face
away and answered nothing. And
then Randall felt a little hand slipped
into his own.
"I'll go with you, Old Crouch - said
Leonora.
And suddenly the waters of pity
gushed from the mans eyes. "God
forgive mel" he cried, catching her to
his breast.
In a trice the mother was sobbing
in his arms. And the three, by the
sick mans bed, the son and father
clasping each others hands, was the
sight that met Kimball's eyes as he
entered.
"Old Crouch" broke the silence.
Get to your job, Kimball p he bel
lowed. Tomorrow I'll have something
to say to you. Get to work now, or
Ill-Ill discharge you!"
For he meant to keep up his repu-
tatiOn to the last.
Time in Ruthenes
| Tn oil tba on1 ri11onac In bo