Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-08-01


latch, and entered the kitchen. Al
she did 20 she started back. A stran'
ger was seated by the kitoken Ere,
who rose At her entrance. He was 4
tall. staIwart man, dressed In rough
suit, with q broad leafud. hat, hiI
countenancc ombrowned by cxrosurs
70 the sun and wind. and his upper liI
almost concealed BY q heavy and lux
urient moustachc."
"dood morning. ma'am." he said
With some embarrassment Find
Ing no one answering my knooks.
took the liberty Of walking In, be-
lieve 1 owe you no apology. tor
have ofliciatei ~ turnspit and saved
your Thanksgiving turkey from burn'
log"
81 am very much obliged 70 ycu,
am sure" answered the old lady,
pulling OF her mittens. "But did
you want 10 SEQ me. or the deacon?"
"Bo,h OF you." answered the slran'
ger. "You have q son / believe p
"Yes." replied Mrs. Wilson. with
hesitation. and casting down her eyes,
"f have seen him lately"
"Where 2" inquired the mother,
with increasing agitation.
"In California" 1850
"Was he doing we'll ?" akI
Admirably. Mother mother j.
he added impetuously. throwing back
his hat. "don't you know me-don'I
you know your WilIiam?"
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 frs,
greeting was over, the young man
asked 1
."Where Is sister Emma?"
Gone" answered the mother, MS
her tears flowed forth anew.
William sank into seat. and hi.
ding his face in his hands. wept Bit
terly. 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 room.
my son-it is just as you left it---and
walt ill summon YOU"
1t was with fluttering heart thei
the over joyed mother went about the
preparations for dinner. and when the
table was neatly set. every dish in its
place and the turkey smoking hot.
waiting to be carved. she summoned
the old man. He made bis appear
ance at once. and took his seat. CLAN
cling around the table, he said:
"What is this. wife you have set
plates for three" .s.
Il thought perhaps some one might
drop in unexpectedly"
"There is little danger-hope. ]
mean--of that" answered the dea.
con sadly.
At this juncture, Mrs. Wilson. with
a mysterious air. rang the bell, with
which. in happier days. she was won't
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
a stern eye. but with quivering lip.
that betrayed the force Of his ill.sup-
pressed emotions.
$50 you have come back at last t.
he said.
"Yes, father. but not as left you.
Father, last Thanksgiving day I went
into my lonely room, and there kneel-
ing down, addressed myself to Heav-
en-. and solemnly abjured 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 I? Yes. yes. bless. you.
my dear boy !" said the old man.
placing his trembling 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, joyousIy. IL have come
back TO save you--to atone for my
prodigality, for all my errors. 1t was
this hope that sustained me 10 the lone
heart Of the Sierra Nevada. when l
was painting with thirst and dying with
hunger. Thoughts Of home. and you
and mother. and Of her who now Is
one Of Gods angels, enabled me to
fortune. l have come back
with store Of gold-you shall not be
a beggar in your old age: father, we
shall keep the farm" eii
After this. il is unnecessary to add
that JOY entered the old homestead
Il was a chastened JOY. for the shad-
ows Of the past yet mingled with the
sunshine Of the present. but the felic-
iiy which attended the prodigaps re-
turn was enough to compensate for
many sorrows.
Bright Hours and Gloomy.-Ah.
This bsauttf.l worldi I knou not what