Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-05-12

There stands upon her deck little
family group, gazing wistfully AMI
anxiously ahead. The prominent ig-
ure is a man past the prime of life, Of
a calm, thoughtful aspect. ani a brow
on which the finger of time had left
more than one mark. That lady by
his side is his wife. The shadow Of
his face has in time become reflected
upon hers; and though all cause for
deep anxiety may have passed away,
the look Of fixed resolve and settled
purpose will never be quite lost on
this side OF the grave.
The two fair young girls are his
daughters. And the gravity of the
parents has become a gentle re>igna-
ton in the countenances OF the chill
dren. They, too, have shared this
cloud, whatever it may be.
Lanl is in sight; TO them it is a
land of promise. There, on that land,
a sullicd and dishonorci name is to be
made bright again. There, on that
land, the reward Of many years of toll
and wearying anxiety is waiting for
its claimant. There, on that land.
Don Estcvan will be John Emmerson
againl
OF course, you knew it was he.
And he indeed it is.
Now shall that self-samc world that
yesterday hcaped curses on his name.
this day fall down anl worship him.
Now shall it open wide its arms TO
receive The wanderer back, and thank
the fates that he has proved himself
the honest man they always sail he
was. Now shall he be known as
"Honest Emmerson" again.
But "will You ha' the truth ont -
Had this man come back, broken
pcnniesS, wretched, and heart stricken
had he but brought his bones to lay
them on his native soil, and craved
but a poor corner in some potter's-
field, wherein to sleep his last sad
sleep-no matter what might have
been his nobility of purpose. and his
worthiness Of soul, he hal been char
acterized rs villain, thief, and outcast.
No matter that he had dragged out a
mere existence, and seen those near
and dear to him-his hearts sole
treasurcs-suller privations and buffet
misfortunes. No matter that he had
lived with the sncers and gibcs of
fools buzzing in his ears, and been
dictated to by shallow minds. who
could not measure his by their own
weak standard No matter. in short,
that he had proved himself indeed an
honest man; no matter for these tliiles
he had returned and greeted the
world with gildel pockets AMI with
plcthoric money-bags: there was the
secret of his hearty welcome home.
Verify, verify, it matters little after
all what this brave world says. 1t
listens to the sentiment: ".ln honest
mans tic nolleSt uork Of Godp-ap-
plauds it wildly to the echo, and then
slaps him in Jail to reconsider the
proposition whether n rich rascal isn'i
much better than an honest pauper
and finally lets him loose again, to
put in practice the result of his cosi-
tations.
So John Emmcrson paid to the ut
tcrmost farthing, and with compound
interest, all that he had so long been
debtor Tor; and the world enthusiast
cally proclaimed him the most esti
mable man of the day. But John
Emmcrson felt that it was not hi,
mof;pe they appreciated, but his money
and in his heart he dcspised thei
adulation, even when they cried aloud
Three cheers for Honest Emmcr
son!"
"Hurrai. hurrah. hurrah."
He hung his memento upon the wal
of his home, and thanked his G God tha
it told no tale-save one Of honor
: truth, and self-rcspect. This was re
: ward enough for him.