The Placer herald., 1855-11-03

deacon drove up 10 the barn TO put up MS
horse, the old lady opened the back door,
which was always on the latch, and entered
the kitchen. AS she did so, she started back.
A stranger was seated by the kitchen fire,
who rose on her entrance. He was a tall,
stalwart man, dressed in rough suit, with
a broad-leafed hat, his countenance en-
Drowned by exposure to the sun and wind,
and his upper lip almost concealed by a
heavy and luxuriant black mustache.
"Good morning, ma'am," he said, with
some embarrassment. "Finding no one an
swercd my knocks, | took the liberty of
walking in. believe owe you no apology,
for have oficiated as turnspit, and saved
your Thanksgiving turkey from burning"
II am very much obliged to you, Pm sure"
answered the old lady, pulling off her nit
tens. but did you want to see me or the
deacon9'
"Both of YOU" answered the stranger
you have son, l believe?"
"Yes," replied Mrs. Wilson, with hesita-
ton, and casting down her eyes.
81 have seen him lately"
"Where" inquired the mother, with in
creasng agitation.
"In California"
"Was he doing wel?'
Admirably Mother. mother" he added
impetuousy throwing back his hat, don't
you know me-don't you know your Will
liam?"
He rushed into his mothers arms, and was
clasped to her beating heart, while the tears
streamed freely from the eyes of both. After
the first passionate greeting was over, the
young man asked:
"Where is sister Emmy"
"Goner" answered the mother, as her tears
flowed forth anew.
William sank into a seat and hiding his
face in his hands, wept bitterly. The mother
did not attempt to check him. She knew
those tears were precious.
"And my father?" asked the young man,
when he regained his composure.
"He is well. But you had better retire
for a while. Go to your old room, my son,
it is Just as you left it, and wait till | sum-
mon you"
1t was with fiuttering heart that the
overjoyed mother went about the prepara-
tions for dinner, and when the table was
nearly set, every dish in its place. and the
turkey, smoking hot, waiting to be carved,
she summoned the old man. He made his
appearance at once, and took his seat
Glancing round the table, he said:
"What is this, wife! you have set plates
for three"
81 thought perhaps somebody might drop
in unexpectedly"
"Therc is little anger-hope, mean of
that" answered the deacon, sadly.
At this juncture, Mrs. Wilson, with mys-
terious expression, rang the little hand-bell,
with which, in happier days, she was wont to
summon her tardy children to their meals.
1t was answered by the appearance of the
long lost William.
The deacon, who recognized him after a
moment, gazed upon him with stern eye,
but with quiverng lip that betrayed the
force of his i'll suppressed emotions
$50 you have come back at last?" he said.
eyes, father, but not as left you. Faith
er-last Thanksgiving day went into my
lonely room, and there, kneeling down, ad-
dressed myself to Heaven, and solemnly alb
jured the fatal cup which had brought ruin
upon me, and woe upon this once happy
family From that day to this have not
touched drop. Is my probation enough?
Can you now welcome back your son and
bless him!"
"Bless him? Yes. yes! bless you, my dear
boy" said the old deacon, placing his trem-
bling hand on the dark locks Of the pleader.
"You are welcome William, though you
come only to witness the downfall of our
house."
'Not So father" answered the young man
ioyously. 81 have come back to save YOU
to atone for my prodigality, for all my errors.
1t was this hope that sustained me in the
lone heart of the Sierra Nevada, when was
painting with thirst and dying of hunger.
Thoughts of home, of you and mother, and
of her who is now one of Gods angels, en-
abled me to conquer fortune. have come
back with store of gold-you shall not be
beggar in your old age: father, we shall keep
the farm"
After this, it is unnecessary to add, that
10y entered that old New England homestead.
1t was chastened Joy, for the shadows Of
the past yet mingled with the sunshine of
the present, but the felicity that attended the
prodigal's return was enough to compensate
for many sorrows.
CocKRoAoH RIpDANCE.-T The Scientific
American says: "Common red waters, scat
tered about the haunts of cockroaches, will
often drive away, if not destroy them"
These waters, like candies, are colored red
by oxide of lead, most deadly poison, and
so is the acetate of lead, or sugar of lead, as
it is sometimes called, on visiting cards,
which being sweetish, has been known to
destroy young children to whom they were
handed to be amused with.
Prairie Farmer.
LIME WATER IN BREAD.-1t has lately