Litchfield enquirer., 1859-09-29

Judge Howard was stern, self-contained man. In his native town, where he had pass cd all his life, none stood higher in public es- teem. Toward the poor he was liberal-to- ward his neighbors just and friendly yet, for i all that, he was hard man, wEose will was iron whose habits were granite. His wife ! had come to know this, even in her honey moon. The knowledge was endorsed by her sad, waiting face, her restrained manners. His daughter Caroline, his only child, had learned it early, and her father became to her almost as much all object of fear as of ten- 1 derness
 ! And yet he loved those two with strength l weaker, more yielding natures could not have fathomed When his child was first put into his arms when her frail, helpless hands gro ped blindly at his own, he felt the strong thrill of father-love sweep over him. For the mo- lnent it swelled his soul, irradatcd his face, ! flooded his heart, but it cid not permanently change or soften his nature As she grew to- ward womanhood, and her bright head glan- cing ill his path was the fairest sight earth held, her ringing voice the sweetest music, he never gratitied her whins, not always yielded to her reasonable wishes
 &Ae INV SouIS sO IlCl. SuC SitNC uCI heart to one whose father Judge Howard had hated. James Huntley and he had been young together, and feud had arisen be- tween them, which Rufus Towards stern na- ture allowed hi m neither to forget nor forgive. He had yet to learn the lesson, holicr than philosophy, lofti,r than all the teachings of seers and sages, the lesson our Savior lived and wrought, aye and died to teach, of for giveness even for our enemies--prayer for those who have dcswt:ful'y used us and per- secuted us. His former enemy was dead now, but not so the Judges hate. It had been transmitted, like real estate, to the dead mars heir and so he forbade his daughter to marry him. and sternly bade her choose between parents and lover She inherited her fathers strong will, and she put her hand ill Richard Huntlcy's and went forth--she would not have been her fathers child if she had not-without tcar
 From that time, for ten years, her name had been forbidden word. Letters she had written at first, during her punishment, but they had been sent back unopened, and for years no voice or token had come to tell whether they were dead or living. Therefore the mother looked shudderngly iuto the shadow-hauntcd corners in the long twilights, and almost believed that she saw there the face for which her mother-heart had yearn- ed, momently all these years. Judge Howard loved his wife, too-O, if she had but known it Every outline of that sad, waiting face, every thread of that silver hair, was dcarer to him HOW than when bridal roses crowned the girlbride he had chosen, but his lips never soothed away the sadness of i that patient face.
 cit is terrible night" he said, at length rousing himself from his long silence. In the l pause after his worls you could hear how the wind shook the house, greaned among the trees, and sighed along tue garden walk"
 "Yes, terrible night" his wife answered, with shudder. "God grant no poor soul may be out in it sheltcrless."
 "Amcn would take in my worst ene my on such night as th:s.'
 His worst enemy /; but would he have ta- ken in his own child the daughter with his blood in her veins, fed once at his board, warmed at his hearth? If this question crossed the wife's mind, she gave it no utter- ance
 "Slall I light tte candles, Rufus 2" she asked meekly.
 "Yes; it is almost bedtime. I had for. gotten how long we were sitting in the dark. 1 l will read now, and then we shall be better ill bcd''
 He drew toward him the Bible, which lay between the candles she had lighted-it had been his habit, for years, to read chapter ill it nightly. Somehow, tonight, the pages opened at the beautiful, ever-new story of the prodigal son. Judge Howard read it through calmly, but his hand trcmblcd as he shut the Book
 Hannah" he began, and then paused, as if his pride were still too strong to permit him to confess himself in the wrong. But soon he proceeded" Hannah, do suppose that was written for an example to those who should seek to be numbered with the children of God. He is our Father, and his arms are ever open to the wanderer My heart misgives me sore. ly about Caroline. She should not have dis obeyed me,-but, do never disobey God, and where should be if He measured out to me such measure as I have measured to her o, Hannah, never felt before how much l needed to be forgiven"
 The mothers tears were falling still and fast-she could not answer. There was si. I lence for moment, and then the Judge said
 restlessly-" Hannah l" and she looked uI
 into his white, moved face Hannah, could we find her? Do you think she lives still
 our one child 7"
 "God knows, my husband. Sometimes
 think that sine is dead. I see her face or
 dark nights, and it wears look of heavenl,
 peace. In the winds hear a voice tha
 sounds like hers, aud she seems trying to tel me she has found rest. But, nc, no y'-he } face kindled-" she is not dead. I feel it il my soul. God will let us see her yet ono } more. I am her mother. I shall not die til my kisses have rested on her cheek, my han touched her hair. believe I have a promise
 Rufus"
 , God grant it, Hannah" and after thos } words fhnu hoth aat s;lonflu anain listening