TURNING A PAGE OF THE PAST "Do you know," mused Thad, as they continued on their way to town, "the more I see of that blacksmith the better I like him.

In my opinion, he's a grand old man." "I was just going to say that myself," Hugh told him.

"He makes me think of the priest in the story.

And they say he loves boys--all boys." "You can't make him believe there's a boy living but who has _something_ worth while in him," Thad advanced.

"Sometimes it's hid under a whole lot of trash, as Deacon Winslow calls it, and you've got to search a heap before you strike gold; but if you only persist you'll be rewarded." "His actions with regard to Nick prove that he practices what he preaches, too," said Hugh.
"Well, the old man went through a bitter experience many years ago," Thad went on to say; "and he learned his lesson for life, he often says." "Why, how's that, Thad?
I've heard a great many things about different people since we came to Scranton; but I don't remember listening to what happened to the old deacon long ago." "Is that a fact, Hugh?
Well, I'll have to tell you about it, then.
Once upon a time they had a boy, an only child; and, as happens in some families where the parents are the finest kind of Christian people, young Joel had a bad streak in his make-up.