The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-11-23

He nodded and the future seemed
even more empty
He looked out at the lawn and the
shrubbery that he had sci OUT with his
own hands. a lawn that had grown
velvety under his skillfuI care.
And be looked beyond at the hill ris
ing above the hedge. and certain con-
tentment came TO rest in his eyes.
Almost abruptly Old Man Hastings
head dropped forward. fell upon his
chest and was still.
Mrs. Reynolds came In Is minutes
later and found him thus. She spoke
to him softly; presently knew feel
ing of alarm and then panic.
She summoned the doctor and stood
wringing her hands till he arrived and
stilled her panic with the grave self
assurance of him.
Old Man Hastings had suffered
stroke. The third in less than years
time.
The medical man made no bones
about explaining the seriousness of the
situation. He advised Mrs. Reynolds
to summon the boys without delay.
Irving arrived on the following morn
ing; Ronald by the afternoon train.
Together they sat by Old Man Hast
ings bed and waited.
Fine looking boys. boys that any ia
ther could be proud of.
Toward nightfall the old man opened
his eyes and saw his sons sitting there
and smiled at them.
He reached out and they took his
gnarled old hand in theirs and bent
close to hear his words.
You're good boys, both of you," he
said. 81 couldn't ask for better"
He was silent a moment, painting a
little.
Unashamed tears coursed down the
boys cheeks.
And presently the old man spoke
again. I've I've tried to be a good
father. / have been a good father,
haven't 1. boys?"
1t was difficult to answer him.
Yet somehow they made him un-
derstand. and that contented look came
into the aged eyes again.
In that moment the boys suddenly
wondered If they had been neglectful,
if the old man had been unhappy be-
cause they left him alone; If, In the
excitement and rush of their own lives,
they had forgotten the man who had
given them their chance in life.
Old Man Hastings, looking at them,
knew their thoughts and shook his
head.
You're good boys" he repeated.
mo father could ask for better.
There's nothing I'd want to change in
either of you-nothing you could have
done to make me more happy"
>. II was inevitable that the boys
know feeling of regret, experience
certain misgivings, wish that the last
ten years might be again relived ia or
der that they might display in some
more impressive manner the depth of
love both felt for their dad
Yet the opportunity was now gone.
They had naught to do but to look
into the future. And thinking thus,
Irving at length bestirred himself.
dad wouldn't want us to act like
this" he unused, half aloud. He'd want
us to live-to carry on to" he
paused, cropping for words that would
remind Ronald of the manner in which
Old Man Hastings would have handled
the situation-"Dad would have told
u.s." he went on, that the only and
best way we could repay him for all
that he's done for US would be to do as
much for our own children. Repay him
through them. Give them as much of a
break as he gave u.s."
And Ronald. listening. suddenly saw
the wisdom of this, knew that this
indeed was the solution of the eternal
problem confronting all conscientious
children who. because of the impor-'
lance of their own development, appear
sometimes neglectful toward their
parents.