THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1000.
The Girl
Tho man In the big easy chair
looked across tho table at his wife.
"I am repeating what Richardson
said. He told mo this morning that
the boy had braced up In quite a won
derful way. He Is punctual and ener
getic and works as If he meant to
climb. Richardson says he Is posltivo
that Edgar has stopped drinking. His
eyes have lost their dullness and his
hand Is steady."
The woman breathed more quickly.
"Wh-what will you do, Robert?"
"Do?" the man answered. "Noth
ing. This Isn't the first time the boy
has tried to brace up. Vou know how
long It lasted."
"But perhaps a word from you
would help him, dear."
"No."
"You are his father."
"Seo hero, Emily, this won't do.
I'm tho boy's father, and I've been
a bad father. Whore I meant to pleaso
him I proved his worst enemy. Ho
spent tho money I gavo him In waste
ful living. I3ut why speak of It? Be
fore theso doors aro opened to him I
again he's got to prove that he's fit
to enter them. He hasn't forgotten
what I said to him. If there is a
spark of manhood left in his breast
he will make no attempt to come near
us until ho shows ho is worthy."
"You aro very hard, Itobort."
"I've been softer than wax. I'm as
hard as nails now. But, there, we've
had enough of this for to-night. I
told Richardson not to report to mo
until a week from to-day. Then wo
can tell, perhaps, whether this spasm
of reform has any foundation."
"It will be hard to wait, Robert."
The man looked across at tho wo
man. His stern face relaxed.
"Let us hope for tho best, my dear,"
he softly said.
It was a week later and the woman
had patiently waited for tho man to
unfold his news of this erring son.
"Richardson reported again to-day,"
he said as he sank back in the easy
chair.
"Well, dear?"
"The boy continues to do himself
credit. Richardson says he is grasping
his duties with a firmer grip. The
other day he came to Graham he's
the head of the department and told
him he must have more pay. He said
he knew he was worth more and that
he could get a Job at any time with
the A J ax people. Graham will double
his pay next week. He told Richard
eon the boy was well worth the raise.
It seems that Richardson noticed the
change In Edgar two months ago, but
wouldn't mention it because he was
afraid it might not last." He paused.
"Sounds good, doesn't it?"
The woman's head was bowed. She
looked up slowly.
"I know what's brought about this
change," she said half hysterically.
"It's a girl."
The man stared at her.
"Thank God for the girl!" ho sold
In his quick and earnest fashion.
"I I must see her at once," ex
claimed the woman.
"Go slow, Emily," said the man.
"You are Jumping at conclusions.
But If there is a girl a good girl, of
course with enough influence to turn
our boy into the right path when
his father and mother have failed
she is not to be Interfered with do
you hear me?"
There was a little silence.
"I did so want him to marry Alico
Land on," said the woman.
"Huh!" growled the man. "He will
please to marry himself If he mar
ries at all and there's no probability
that he will ask our advice. If your
suspicion Is correct and I suppose It
might be called Intuition don't inter
fere. There'll be nothing too good
for tho girl who can awaken our boy
to his duty. Let her alone."
But the woman said nothing.
Two nights later they were in their
accustomed places beside the big li
brary table.
The man suddenly smiled as ho
looked across at the woman.
"There is a girl," ho said.
"Yes," said tho woman, "I havo
seen her."
The man stared at her.
"I hope you did nothing rash," ho
eald and his voice was almost harsh.
"No," she answered; "I was very
careful. What do you know about
her?"
"Very little. She is a stenographer
in tho factory office. She earns a
fair salary and bears an excellent rep
utation. Edgar has been seen In her
company a number of times. That's
the extent of my knowledge. You say
you've seen her. How did that hap
pen?" "It waa easily planned, Robert. I
waited about the factory until Edgar
came out I was In tho little antique
shop across the way and he didn't
see me and, oh, Robert, our boy
looks ten years older."
She paused with a little catch In
her voice.
"Go on," said tho man. "Let's hope
he has grown ten years tho wisor."
"He held himself straight Robert,
and I think there is a new look in
his eyos."
"Go on, you foolish mother."
"I saw him quite well, because he
crossed the road and passed In front
of the shop, walking slowly. And
after the others had gone a girl came
out of the office, a slender girl, walk
ing alone, and when our boy saw her
his face lighted up and something
seemed to grip my heart"
The man softly laughed.
, "Tho mother lovo showing ItaaU
through maternal jealousy. Go on,
my dear."
"Edgar crossed the street quickly
and fell Into step beside the girl.
They walked slowly, tho girl looking
up into his face now and then.
There's no doubt that she loves him,
Robert"
The man laughed again.
"And did your eyes tell you all
this?"
"My eyes and my heart, Robert
When Edgar and the girl turned the
corner I hurried out and found Mich
ael ho had the car on a little side
street and I followed them."
"In tho car?"
"Yes, Robert."
"Rather an obtrusive way to trail
your prey. But go on."
"They were standing still when wo
turned the corner, but Edgar did not
look around. Michael ran ahead slow
ly, and as we passed them Edgar
left the girl she gavo him her hand
as he turned away and ran and
caught a car. The girl looked after
him she Is very fond of him, Robert."
"We will admit the fondness, my
dear. What next?"
"I told Michael to stop at tho curb
and I leaned out and called to the
girl."
"Was that discreet?"
"Wait, dear. At first she didn't
hear me. And I called again, and she
heard mo and came toward the car.
She sho has a nice face, Robert."
The man laughed once more.
"Your mother heart is defending
tho boy's taste."
"No, Robert, the girl has an at
tractive face."
"You will admit it's a lltlo crafty
and hard about the mouth?"
"No."
"And that It suggests paint and
flaunts its powder."
"No. Robert."
"And that it is feebly pretty and
altogether cheap?"
"No."
"Then It was much better than you
expected?"
"Yes, Robert. Sho has a nice face
not beautiful, but frank and clear
eyed." Sho paused. "If sho had been
simply pretty it would have hurt me,
Robert. It would havo looked as If
Edgar had been caught by a dimple
and a curl. But the affair Is moro
serious than I thought."
Ho caught her eye and nodded.
"What you are telling me is good
to hear," ho said. "I'm feeling easier
about Edgar than I havo felt since
he left college. It looks very much
as if his liking for this girl was the
first sensible symptom he has shown.
And there's another thing."
"Well, Robert?"
"If tho girl can run the gauntlet of
your critical mother eyes there must
be something very attractive about
her. But you haven't told me all the
story."
"I called to her and when she re
alized that I wanted her she came to
the car. I told her I was nervous
and a little faint which was quite
true, Robert. And I asked her If sho
wouldn't sit by me for a few mo
ments until the attack passed away.
She looked at me wonderlngly and
then something In my face decided
her and she took the seat by my side.
I asked her where she lived and she
told me and I directed Michael not
to hurry. Tluen I talked to the girl
and found out something about her.
She Is an orphan and came to the
city from an Interior town. She has
been well educated and Is qualified to
teach singing, but her present work
Is fully as remunerative and more cer
tain. And she is twenty-three."
The man laughed.
"That's extremely Interesting I
don't refer to the ago item especially.
But go on."
"I don't know what she thinks of
me. I tried to Interest her."
"By asking her questions?"
"I asked no questions. She told me
all this voluntarily. I am quite sure
she will tell me moro tho next time
we meet"
"Then you have planned to see her
again?"
"Yes. I am going to take her with
me for a ride in the parks Wednesday
evening. I told her I was a fussy old
woman and that she was doing the
best kind of charity work in amusing
me. I said I had taken a fancy to
her and It's true, Robert"
"Eh!"
"Yes, Robert I can't quite say that
I am ready to take her as a daughter-in-law.
Think of tho talk It would
make!"
The man laughed.
"I see you haven't quit surren
dered, my dear. And what's the girl's
name?"
"Elinor Viets."
"That's not bad. Of course, you
didn't exchange cards?"
"I thought of Inventing a name, but
I couldn't bring myself to do that. I
suppose she thinks I'm a forgetful old
creature who doesn't remember even
the common usages of polite society."
Tho man leaned back in the deep
chair and Interlocked his fingers.
"Well," ho said, "things are not
nearly so bad as they might be. Up
to the present moment I must frankly
admit that the girl seems too good for
the boy."
"Robert!"
"It's tho unpleasant truth. Of
course, he's improving, but don't let
your mother heart cherish any belief
that this fine young girl I take her
at your own valuation isn't much
better than this wayward boy of ours.
But there, we'll postpone any further
discussion until after the coming
ride."
So It was Wednesday evening .when
they took up the subject again. The
man waa waiting In the library for
the woman to come home.
Ho looked up as she came through
the doorway. Then he quickly arose
nud went to her, and took her cloak
and led her to a chair.
"Why, Emily," he said. "What's
happened?"
For a moment she could not find
her voice.
"They are to bo married Tuesday
evening," she sobbed.
The man whistled.
"The boy seems to he developing
energy enough with his other awak
ened qualities. There, there, calm
yourself and tell me about It"
Tho woman waited a moment
"I drew her out," she began, "and
soon found that she wanted to talk
to a woman it seems sho has no In
timate girl friends and she told me
lust what I wanted, and yet dreaded
to hear. Sho Is very fond of IMgar
and she has tho fullest confidence In
him. He has told her about his wild
days and how he quarreled with his
father and mother. She doesn't know
who his paronts are Edgar doesn't
want to talk about the past but she
feels convinced they, were wrong In
their treatment of Edgar. She Is sure
they didn't understand him that his
mother was Indulgent and his father
unwise. Edgar needed an object in
life, he needed to be thrown on his
own resources. Now he had his am
bition to rise and he had her." She
paused and drew a quick breath.
"Think of a mother listening to all
this!"
"You will be an unbidden guest, you
know."
"I want to be there, Robert"
"Perhaps you would prefer to have
It stopped?"
"How, Robert?"
"I might buy off the girl."
Tho woman shook her head.
"You haven't money enough to do
that Robert"
"Fine. Then the wedding goes on
And to-morrow I will send for the
Rev. Frank Darnley. Ho will be glad
to come. I believe I have a little gift
for his mission project. When he
comes I will make the necessary ar
rangements." He went over and gent
ly smoothed the woman's hair. "I
think this is going to turn out all
right," ho said.
It was Tuesday evening and tho
Rev. Frank Darnley sat in his little
parlor and waited for tho girl and the
man who had asked his professional
services. It was a neat little parlor,
nicely furnished, with folding doors
that connected it with the sitting
room beyond. These doors were
closed and tho Rev. Frank Darnley
inspected them carefully before he
answered the bell.
When he returned from the front
door he brought with him the girl and
the wayward son. He greeted thorn
cordially and bade them bo seated.
"We are In something of a hurry."
said the young man. "We have a
brief little trip in view, and time ta
bles make no provlsons for delayed
happy pairs."
He laughed and the young pastor
laughed with him.
The girl unfastened her travelling
cloak.
"Would It be possible," she said,
"for you to have a woman present
during the ceremony? I havo a fancy
that I would like it better."
Tho young pastor brightened.
"Why, yes," he answered. "I havo
two visitors at the present moment, a
very worthy couple. I will ask them
to bo witnesses in accordance with
the State law."
And he slipped from tho room. Ho
was back presently.
"They will be glad to aid us." he
said a little hurriedly. "They will
stand in the doorway hero while the
ceremony proceeds. If you are quite
ready you may arise."
The doors at the back were softly
opened.
Tho ceremony proceeded, the most
nervous member of the trio being the
Rev. Frank Darnley.
When It was all over and the Rev.
Frank had shaken hands with both
and wished them Joy, the girl looked
around and suddenly started. A man
and woman had entered the room, but
It was the woman who startled the
girl.
"Why, madam!" she cried. "Are
you here?" And she advanced with
her hands outstretched. The woman
was crying and could not answer. But
she opened her arms and held the
girl close.
Tho bridegroom had whirled about,
and then catching sight of the man
and woman had drawn back.
"Elinor," ho cried, "do you know
this lady?"
Tho girl released herself from the
woman's embrace.
"Why, yes, she answered. "She
has been kind to me as a mother
might be. There is no person I could
so gladly greet on my wedding night.
The young man stared at her.
"Don't you know her name?" he
demanded.
"Why, no, Edgar; I don't know the
lady's name. I never thought of it"
He was still amazed.
"Do you mean to say that you don't
know this Is my mother?"
"Your mother!" she cried. "Your
mother! Oh, I'm very glad! Don't
cry mother."
The older man took a step forward.
"Eddie," he said, "I hope your re
sentment doesn't go so far as to pre
vent your father from kissing his new
daughter God bless and guard her!
The younger man gave a quick start
and put out his hand.
"Father!" ho cried.
And the Rev. Frank Darney smiled
approvingly.
Duchess Can Be Shabby.
A duchess may be as shabby as she
pleases, and, in spite of socialism and
a badly hanging skirt, sho will remain
a power In the land, but tho suburban
lady does not care to be seen with her
best friend if the latter be wearing an
old-fashioned frock. Block and
White.
SATURDAY
NIGHT TALKS
By REV. F. E. DAVISON
Rutland. VL
SHIPWRECKED,
BUT SAVED.
International Bible Lesson for
Nov. 7, '09 ( Acts 27: 27-28: xo).
We have In
this chapter one
of the most vivid
accounts of a
storm at sea that
has ever been
written. Luke,
who wroto it,
was there and
witnessed it and
the description
of the eye wit
nes cannot be
surpassed. There
have been many
great stormB on
that turbulant sea before and since.
The prophet Jonah experienced one
on that samo ocean, and tho Roman
ompcror Caesar, upon that stormy sea,
a century before Paul's day, had
warned tho frightened pilot, "Steer
boldly, thou carriest Caesar!" This
historic corn ship carried Paul.
Tho boat had scarcely left tho har
bor at Fair Havens, when a northeast
tempest burst upon them. It was an
equinoctial with tho force of a hurri
cane. For fourteen t days it raged.
The mariner's compass had not then
been Invented, and sailors depended
upon their observation of the sun and
stars. But during that fortnight of
awful weather, no rift In the clouds
by day or night gave knowledge of
their location. Only whistling tempest,
the moaning cordage, the creaking
timbers, the pounding waves, the roar
lng breakers, the hopeless working at
the pumps, the Incessant strain of
mind and body.
A Calm Passenger.
Paul sets a splendid example to all
storm-tossed Christians. For there
are multitudes of such. We have
learned not to expect fair weather and
smooth sailing over the sea of life,
The best of God's people havo some
times to endure experiences of boiS'
terous seas and lowering skies. There
come times when as in this case we
are "tossed up and down in Adria,"
when "neither sun nor stars appear,"
for many days, and when the best we
can do is to "let her drive." Well is
It for us under such circumstances If
we can remember that the sun shines
above the clouds, the stars sparkle
clear and beautiful away above the
tempest and the moon looks down as
peacefully as on a summer's night,
and, best of all, God our Father, stands
with sleepless vigilance, keeping
watch over his own. Such a soul can
trustfully sing:
"I know not where His Islands lift
Their fronded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond His love and caro."
The Shipwreck.
Fourteen days havo passed and
there is no abatement of the storm
Suddenly the cry: "Breakers ahead!'
They will soon be on the rocks. As
a last resort they drop four anchors
from the stern, the cables run out,
they draw taut, the ship halts in her
headlong plunge to ruin, and Just on
tne edge 01 tne boiling sun tne an
chore hold.
Thus they swing till day-break
when one more effort Is made to
beach the ship. But in vain, the ves
sel was doomed. The ship strikes,
the planks spring asunder, the boat
goes to pieces in the thundering surge,
Then came the struggle for life.
Strong swimmers plunged Into the
sea, and breasted the waves, until
they were tossed upon the sands,
breathless, but safe. Men went under
as If they would never rise, but catch
ing a timber, came floating and pant
ing on it to the beach. And when the
roll of the ship was called two nun
dred and seventy-six persons answer
ed to their names. "And so it came
to pass that they escaped all safe to
land."
A Parable of Death.
So may it be at last with all of
us. Out on the sea of life we may be
caught in the Euroclydon of death,
as we approach tho shore. Darkness
may lower, and the sun of prosperity
withdraw Itself. Bewildered by tho
tempest's roar wo may lose our bear
ings and drift helplessly without chart
or compass. All our comforts may
fall us, and the planks In which we
trusted may yield and break beneath
our feet
If such an hour comes, may It be
ours to face tne issue with as calm
a spirit as did the groat apostle. Ha
waa not affrighted. Ho was the only
calm soul on that foundering ship.
The future had no terrors for him. H
was going home, and whether he
wont by land or sea made little differ
ence. So he ate his breakfast that
last morning as calmly as though al
ready on shore. He aaid, 'I believe
God." Down into the seething waters
he went bravely, a few moments buf
feting the waves, and then kind and
gentle bands drew him out of the
waters, and helped him up the beach.
So, when at last all our hopes and
comforts sink away, and we find our
selves In the billows of death, may
we speedily get our feet upon the
beach of eternity, while tender, lov
iaf bands are reached out to help us
HP. the slopes of Paradise.
NEW GOODS FOR
Autumns
Keystone
Block
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and
Novelty Trimmings,
Latest Effects
Our Long Corsets for
the present season are
all built for Modern
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In the Glove depart
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NewlHouselFurnish
Ings in the late designs
of.Rugs, Portieres Cur
tains and Carpets.
MENNER&CO.
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Leading Stores
2
X
inner&Co's.
Henry Snyder & Son.
602 &I604 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton. Pa.
PAY HIGHEST MARKET PRICES FOR
Poultry, Eggs, Butter, Lambs, Calves and Live Stock.
Apples in Season
A SQUARE DEAL FOR THE FARMER.
Old Phone 588 B New Phono 1123
I"I"I"H"M--I"I"I"I"I";"M
Telephone Announcement
This company is preparing to do extensive construction
work in the
Honesdale Exchange District
which will greatly improve the service and enlarge the
system
Patronize the Independent Telephone Company
which reduced telephone rates, anddo not contract for any
other service without conferring with our
Contract Department Tel. No. 300.
CONSOLIDATED TELEPHONE CO. of PENNSYLVANIA.
Foster Building.
We Pay the Freight
No charge for packing this chair
It is sold for CASH
at BROWN'S FURNITURE STORE
at $4.50 each
Roll of
HONOR
Attention is called to tne STRENGTH
of the
Wayne County
The FINANCIER of New York
Citv has published a ROLL 0
HONOR of the 11,470 State Banks
and Trust Companies of United
States. In this list the WAYNE
COUNTY SAVINGS BANK
Stands 38th in the United States
Stands (Oth in Pennsylvania.
Stands FIRST in Wayne County.
Capital, Surplus, $455,000.00
Total ASSETS, $2,733,000.00
Honesdale. Pa.. May 20 1003.,
KRAFT & CONGER
?i
HONESDALE, PA.
Represent Relic
Companies ONLY
ill mi
rfffiift if :(
V