The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-02-25

packed up many token from that lend or
romance and gold, fot the frieadsI hoped to
meet. The gift for Mary Moore 4 selected
with beating heart; twas ring OF rough,
virgin gold, with my name and hers engraved
insides-that was an, and yet the s'ght Of The
little toy strangely thrilled me as 4 balance It
upon the top Of my little finger its48 sYs
To the eyes Of Others it was but small,
plain circle, suggesting thoughts, perhaps, by
its elegance, Of the beautiful white hand that
was to wear II. But to mellow much was
embodied tterel A loving smile on b beauti.
ful eace-iow words OF welcome, future
home. ard a sweet, smiling face--a group sof
merry children TO climb my knees -aIl Of these
were hidden within that little ring Of goldr
Yta#G@ s8.E tSff-.- 81 t5e ,AS34lS Fft7E
Tall, bearded, and sun broazed, Knocked
at the door Of my fathers house. The lights
in the parlor windows and the hun OF CONVEX
sation and Cheerful! laughter, showed me that
company had assembled there. I hoped that
my sister Lizzie would come to the door, and
that Tmight greet my family when no strange
eye was looking curiously on, tsFs2
But no-a servant answered nv summons.
They were too merry in the parlor to heed the
long absent one when he asked for admittance.
A bitter thought like this was pa ssing through
my mind, as heard sounds from the parlor,
and saw the bali suppressed smile upon the
servants face.
Ihesitated for monen. before / made my
self known o.. asked after the family, and
while stood silent, . strange apparatlon grew,
up before me. From behind tie servant peer
ed out a smadl, golden head, a. tiny, delicate
form followed, and v sweet childish face,
With blue eyes, was lifted up to mipe--so like
those Of one who had frightened my boyhood,
that I started back with . sudden feeling Of
pain. s
"Wha, is your name my little ons?," ask
ed, while the wondering servant held the
door. ,.
She lifted up her hand as ,if to shade her
eyes, { had seen that very attitude IN another,
in my boyhood, many, and many time, and
answered in sweet, bird-lke voice; " Mary"
Sand what else?" asked quickly.
s.Mary Moore Chester.o lisped the child.
My heart sank down like lead. Here was
an end 10 all the bright dreams and hoaes of
my youth aud manhood Frank Chester, my
boyish rival, who had often tried to, aud in
vain, to nsnrp my place beside the girl, had
succe-det at last, and had won her away from
me j! This was hi. child-his child and Ma
ry's.
sank. body and sonl, heneath this blow
And, hiding my face in my hands, | leaned
against the door, while my heart wept tears Of
blood. The little one gazed at me, grisved
and amazed, and pu; u? her pretty lip as il
about to cry, while the perplexsd servant step
ped to the parlor. door and called my sister out,
to see who it could be that conducted himself
SO strangely.
! heard light step, and a pleasant voice
sayiag:
"Do you wish tn see my father, sir?''
| looked up. There stood a pretty, sweet
faced maiden OF twenty, not much changed
from the dear little sister | had ioyed so WE'LL
looked at her tor mamen,, and then stiiling
the tumult Of my heart by a mighty effort, /
opened my arms and said: oF tays
"Lizzie, don't you know me?'' hte yslK
HHarry! OIL my brother Iarry!'' she cried,
and threw herself upon my breast, She wept
asif her heart wotid break. -sss.s. -ssss.s' 's.s
There was a rush and cry or joy, and then
my father aud mother sprang toward me, and
welcomed me home with heartfelt tears on.
strange and Passing sweet in such a greeting
to the way-worn wanderer. And as held
my dean old mother to my heart, and. grasped
my father's hand, while Lizzie atiil chung be-
side me, Ifelt that all was not lost, and though
another had secured lies choicest blessing.
many q joy remained FOR mean this dear saae-+
taafy Of home. Ea z i'7e.s IS. q sa'.sS
There were four other inmates Of my room
who had risen on my sudden entrance. One
was the blue-eyed child whom I had already
seen. ard who stood beside Frank Chester
clinging TO his hand. Near by stood Lizzie
Moore, Mary's eldest sister, and in distant
corner, to which she had hurrisdly retreated
when my name was spoken. stood . tall and
slender figure, halt hidden By the window cur
tains that fell to the floor. rav,sg, +
Vhsn the frat rapturous gresting was over,
Lizzie led me forward with timid grace, aud
Frank Chester srasped my hand = 7'sas sa'ss
.Welcome home, my boy;'' he said with
the loud, cheerful tones remembered 30 well.
"You have changed sothat Ishppld not have
known you; but no matter for that-your
heart isinshe right place, Fknow.'ssis Sss,s
"Hov can you saysh has changed3" said
my mother, gently. To be sure, be looks old
apd graser, ma more INA man than whsn he
went away-but bis eyes and smile are the
same as everi It is ihsk heavy beard that
changes him. He is my boy stiu.o
Say, uaot6si;" !" I ans ~ered, 81 am your boy
sthL"3Ieg SCI sys 80. ,.aa,ss' @Ss-se, 2,
Heaven help me! At this, moment FELT
like boy, and it 1odii have been 4 blessed
relief to have wept upon her bosom az / had
done 10 my infancy. Bot ( kspt down the
beating of my heart and the tresasor of ~
lips, and answered quietly, q i looked 50
his fsil handsome face. es,l4 iali iss i ~ 4
"You have changed too, Frank, but think
Tor the better y
"Oh -thsnk yon for thst compliment, y
he answered with a hearty lauvh sMv xrife