The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-11-16

N man. During the past two years
he has failed rapidly.
The change in this compare
lively short space Of time is marked.
In fact, back In 1881 you would not
have spoken of Austin as old. His
hair, now white, was an iron gray.
There was a brightness 10 his eye, an
agility 10 his movements that are today
but memories.
OF those who have noted this marked
change in Austin his son, Blaine, prob
ably has q more acute realization OF
il than any one.
For Blaine and his father have been
closely associated during the years
past
There seems TO be a greater bond.
deeper sense OF understanding between
the pair than between most fathers
and sons.
Not long ago, two years, in fact,
Blaine completed his schooling and
went away TO Boston TO work.
There are those who say it was this
separation that brought about the
change IN Austin.
AT any rate II was Blaine, who, dur
ing his infrequent visits at home, first
noted the signs Of advancing age.
He attributed them, Of course, TO his
fathers years. and knew a feeling Of
regret ar the inevitable.
Frequently be sought reinsurance
from his mother in regard 10 Austin's
Loo
of alarm Mrs. Metcalf displayed over
the matter. For she is a devoted wife
and would. were there cause, be the
first 10 feel concern
Blaine has been careful during the
two years past never 10 express sym
patty in his fathers presence or make
insinuatiOns relative 10 the old mans
increasing incapabilitiness for Austin
has always been q pridefUl man, and
this pride has, II seems, become more
poignant with advancing years.
He does not admit a WEAKNESS Of
any description; believes himself still
physically able and mentally alert
The situation is delicate. for Blaine
must always be careful never TO openly
appear aware Of his fathers defcien-
cies, lest he give offense.
And Blaine, plying his father deep
~, has found this task hard one, es-
peciaIly when the two are playing
pinochle.
Blaine has played pinochle with his
father since his grade school days.
There has been close. yet friendly.
rivalry between the two.
Their skill in the game is surpris-
ingly well balanced: they have kept
tab on the games each has won and
lost over a period Of time, and on the
eve of BIaine's departure for his new
job these tabs are tailed up and found
20 be nearly equal
Blaine was glad OF this when the
results were given their final check and
found accurate, for the old man took
sober delight in the game, and his
pleasure at thus finding himself in the
lead was good to see.
Blaine for his part found no time
during the ensuing two years to reflect
on these pinOchle games, or to antici-
pate a continuance Of the contest.
But with Austin it was different.
For time lay heavily now on his old
mans hands and, as is often the case
with aged people. little things that
have no particular place in the scheme
of life doomed important
He looked forward with no small
amount OF eagerness to BIaine's home
coming. having in mind an evening of
pinochle, with the old-time rivalry as
an incentive for good playing.
Blaine, though no longer feeling a
keen interest in the game, was never
tLeless willing TO play If for no better
reason than TO indulge the old mans
within.
They began a series Of games which
Austin called the Battle Of Champions.
And for a period Of a year. during
which they played not more than a doz-
en- games ar best, the victories were
evenly divided.
At times during the course Of a con
test Blaine would find his thoughts
wandering from the business at hand,
dwelling on his work in Boston. and
Austin was apt TO score during these
intervals and chuckle satisfactorily
over his shrewdness-
And at times, also, when the evening
was well advanced, the old man was
apt TO nod sleepily, and Blaine would
find it easy to meld a sequence which
might otherwise have been averted.
II was during the second year that
the youth began TO notice the fire.
Quency OF these nodding periods. and
the feeling Of pity in him grew ar sight
of old Austin's white head dropping,
the look Of guilt that leaped into the
aged eyes at sudden realization Of his
inattenIiyeness.
II occurred TO him gradually that the
pinochle contest was his fathers deep
est interest.
He analysed the situation, and ar
rived at an understanding.
There was little else 10 occupy the
old mans time.