Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-04-19
THE RUNAwAY's RETURN.

Wellhere am I, after my nights walk once
more III the village where | was born. Tho
sun is up now, aad shining brightly. Things
appear the same, and yet different. How is
IL There wSi big tree that used to stand
at that corner; and where is Carver'S coitagei
Three days ago landed al Portsmouth. II
was on my birth day. For Ten long years have
been sailing about on the sea, and wander
ing about on the land. How things come
over me am man now; but for all that,I
could sit down and cry like child.
II seems as but yesterday since | ran away
from home. 1t was the worst days work that
ever did. I got up in the morning, at sun
rise, while my father and mother were asleep.
Many and many time had been unkind to
my dear mo ther, and undutiful 10 my father,
and the day before he had told me how wrong
was. He spoke kindly, and in sorrow; but
my pride would not bear it. Thought would
leave home. What is il that makes me trem-
BILE so now
My father coughed as crept along by his
door, and thought heard my mother speak
to him; so ! stood a moment with my bundle
in my hand, holding my breath.
He coughed again. | have seemed to hear
that cough in every quarter ofthe world.
When had unlocked the door, my heart
failed me; for my sister had blessed me tho
night before, and told me she had something
to tell me in the morning. | turned back,
opened the door Of her little room, and looked
at her; but my tears fell on the bed-clothes,
and was afraid it would wake her. Half
blinded, groped down stairs.
As hurried away, felt suppose, las Cain
| felt when he had murdered his brother. Ny
father, my mother, and my sister had been
kind TO me; but | had beeu unkind 10 them,
and in leaving them thus, felt as if had
been numbering them all.
| Had been robber could not have felt
more guilty. But what do say that for
was robbing them Of theirpeace. was sIeal-
ing that from them the whole world could NOT
make up to them; u On went. D, thatI
could bring back that hour! ~
The hills look as purple as they lid when
| used 10 climb up them. The rocks are caw-
ing among the high elm.trees by the church.
| wonder whether they are the same rocks -
There is Shivering that comes over me as
get nearer home. Home feel there is no
home for me.
Here is the corner OF the hedge, and the
old set /; but father is not sitting there
There is the patch Of ground my sister called
her garden; but she is not walking in it. Ard
yonder is the bed room Windows my mother 10
not ooking out of il now.
here, or things would not look as they do
Father would not lei the weeds grow in this
fashion, nor the thatch fall in; and my mother
ana sister never stuffed thatStraw Though The
broken panes. But will rap at the door,
How hollow it sounds Nobody s'irs. All 10
/ as silent as the grave. will peep in at the
window. It's an empty house, that is clear.-
Ten long years How could expect it to
be otherwise? | can bear hard v ork, and
f hunger, and thifst; but cannot bear this.
The elderberry is in blossom as it was when
; ran away; and the woodbne is as fresh as
l ever, running up 10 the window that my moth
a er opened 10 call after me. could call after
her now, loud enough to be heard mile, if !
t though! she would hear me.
lis Of no use stopping here will Cross
5 the chUrch-yard, and see if the clerk lives
} where lie did; but he will not know me. NY
: cheek was like the rose when went away;
but the sun has made it another color. How
narrow the path is between the grass it used
( TO be witer, al least thought so; no matter.
V The old sundial, see, is standing there yet.
The last time | was in that church my faith.
4 er was with me; and the text was; "My son,
: hear the law Of thy mother." Prov. j, 8. o,
v what curse do we bring upon US when we
v despise Gods holy word
# My uncle lies under the yew tree there, and
he had grayeStone Here it is. 1t is writ
ten all over now, quite TO the bottom:
70 "ln memory Of Henry Haycroft."
But what is the name under
"Walter IIaycroft."
=, My father my faher'
u "And Mary, his wife"
0, my mother are you both gonei God'i
: hand is heavy upon me. do feel it in NJ!
!, heart and soul.
u And there is another name yet, and freshl!
{ cul.
4 esther lIaycrcft, their daughter, aged
d twentyfour."
: Ny father! my mother and my sister -
: Why did not the sea swallow me up when
!, was wrecked deserved it. What is Ii,
q world to me now ! feel, bitterly feel tn,
y sin Of disobedience; the words come home Il
!, me now; The eye that mocketh at his faith
Is er; and despiseh to obey his mother, the "a
n venS Of the valley shall pick it out, and tn
'i young eagles shall eat it," Prov. xxx, II.
But yet recollect how my dear father an
!; m other used TO point US 10 the Lamb OF Goo
II which taketh away the sin OF the world
y, "There is no refuge besideS," said my mothe
~ "Christ is able and willing 10 save" pai
u but little attention 10 these words once. {