Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-03-20
and his upper lip almost concealed by a
heavy and luxuriant moustache.

heavy and luxuriant moustache.
"Good morning, ma'am," he said with
some embarrassment. "Finding no one an.
swered my knocks, 1 took the liberty Of
walking in. 1 believe I owe you no apollo
gy, for have oficiated as turnspit, and 50.
we'd your thanksgiving turkey from burning
al am very much obliged to you, am
sure," answered the old lady, pulling off hel
mittens. "But did you want to see me, OF
the deacon? 2"
"Both of you," answered the stranger
"You had son, l believe 2"
"Yes, replied Mrs. Wilson, with hcsita.
tion, and casting down her eyes.
81 nave seen him lately"
"Where?" inquired the mother, with in.
creased agitation.
"Californa." :"
"Was he doing we'll"
"Admirably. Mother mother" he ad-
ded impetuously, throwing back his hat,
"don'ty know me-don't you know your
William 2"
He rushed into his mothers arms, and
was clasped to her beating heart, while the
tears streamed from the eyes of both. After
the first greeting was over, the young man
asked:
"Where is sister Emmy"
"Gone," answered the mother, as her tears
flowed forth anew
William sank into seat, and hiding his
face in his hands, wept bitterly. The moth
er 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 awhile. Go to your old room, my son,
it is just as you left it, and wait till sum-
mon you.
1t was with futtering heart that the
ovcrjoyed mother went about the prepara-
tions 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 his
appearance at once, and took his seat. Clan
cling around the table he said:
"What is this, wife, you have set plates
for three 2"
~ thought perhaps somebody might drop
in unexpectedly"
"There is little danger-hope, mean
of that answered the deacon sadly.
At this juncture, Mrs. Wilson, with a
mysterious expression, rang the 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 a quivering lip that betrayed the
force of his Unsurpassed emotions.
$50 you have come back at last" he said.
"Yes, father, but not as I left you. Fa-
ther, last Thanksgiving day l 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 fam
lily. From that day to this I have not touch
ed drop. Is my probation enough? Can
you now welcome back your son and bless
him ?"
"Bless him! Yes, yes, bless you, my
dear, dear boy" said the old deacon, pla-
cling 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 joyously, 81 have come to save you
to atone for my prodigality, for all my er-
rors. 1t was this hope that sustained me in
the lone heart of the Sierra Nevada, when
I was painting with thirst and dying with
hunger Thoughts of home, of you and mo-
ther, and Gods angel, enabled ME to con-
quer 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
joy entered the old homestead 1t was
chastened JOY, for the shadows of the past
yet mingled with the sunshine of the pres
ent but the felicity which attended the prod
igal's return was enough to compensate for
MANY sorrows