The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-07-07


in bed
He drew toward him the bible, which Jay
between the candles she had lighted-it hat
been his habit. for years. to read chapter
In it nightly. Somehow, tonight, the page.
opened at the beautiful, ever new story o
the prodigal son. Judge Howard read i
through calmly, bu. his hand trembled as ht
shut the book.
Hannah, be began, and then paused as il
his pride were sill toostrong to permit him tc
confess himself 10 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 OIL
God. He IS our FaLhsr, aud his arms are
ever oFen to the wanderer. Ny heart mis-
gives me sorelY about Caroline. She should
not have disobeyed me, but-do never dis
obey God, and where should be if he meas.
ured out to HE such measure as | have meas
ured To her Oh, Hannah, | never felt be
fore how much | needed to be forgiven.
I The mothers tears were falling still and
fast-she could no. ansW er. There was a
silence for moment, ami then again the
Judge said, restless Ey--'Hannah !. and she
/ looked up into his white moved face Han
nah could We find her, D. yoa think she
still lives-our only child -"
! God knows, my husband Sometimes |
think that she is dad. l see her face on
dark nights, aud il wears 4 look of heavenly
peace In the wind | hear voice that
sounds Ike hers. and she seems trying 10
tell me she has found rest But no, no -
her face kindlel-*sha is NOT dead | feel
it in my soul God will let Us see her vet
once more. l am her nothsr. l shall not
die till my kisses have rested on her cheek
my hand touched her hair. | believe have
promise, Rufus
Cod grant it. HAnnah,' and after these
words they both sat silently again listening
Hstening--Gstenng.
They had not heard the outer door open,
bu. now a step sounded in the hall, aud the
door of the room where they sat was softly
opened. They bo.h started up--perhaps
they half expected to see Caroline, but it was
only their next neighbor. hoIl ling by the
hand child She spoke eagerly. in a half
confused way, which they did not notice.
This listle on4 came to my house, Judge,
but hadn't room 10 keep her, SO | brought
her over. VIII you take her in q
Surely surely. Come here, poor child
Who hal ever heard Judge Howard $
voice SO gentle The little girl seemed
somewhat reassured by it, She crept to his
knee, and lifted up her face. The Judge
bent over her. Whose were those deep blue
eyes? ? Where had he seen that peculiar
shade OF hair. like the she'll of ripe chestnut?
Did he not know those small sweet features,
the wist(ul noath, the delicate skin? His
hands shook
.Whose-whose child are your What is
your name ?
Grace and the Httle girl trembled Wis
IDLY
Grace Huntley, said the neighbor's voice,
grown soma what qaivering now. Grace
HuGtley, You cannot help knowing that face
Judge It is copy Of one which belonged
once to the brightest and prettiest girl in
Aehdale
The old man-he looked very old now,
shaken by the tempest in his strong heart.
as the wind shook the trees outside-drew
the chill into his bosom, with eager hun
gry look. H arms closed around her as if
they would hold her there forever.
My child. my child burst like sob from
his lips, aud then he bent over her silently.
At first his wife hal stood by in mute amaze
ment her face almost a white as the cap
border which tremblcd round it. Now a
thought pierced her, quick and keen the
thrust Of \ sword. She drew near and look
ed piteously into the neighbor's eyes.
Is she al orphan Where is her mo-
ther?
The Judge heard her, and lifted up his
head
Yes he cried, where is Caroline9 Have
pitv aud tell me where Is Caroline?'
Before the woman could answer, an eager
voice calie1-'Herc father, mother, here. ;
and from the hall where she bad been linger-
ing, haf in fear, Judge Howard's one child
came in. l. was the mothers breast TO which
she cluag first a mothers arms which clasp
ed her with such passionate clinring, and then
she totterei forward aud threw herself down
at her fathers feet,
Forgive me. father she tried to say, but
/ the Judge would not hear her. Tue angel
had troubled, a length. the deep waters OF
his soul, anl the wave of healing overtiowe /
his heart He saw now in its true light, the
>ct-wiII and The untorgiving spirit which had
! been the sin OF his life lie sank upon his
knees, his arms enfolding his daughter and
/ her child. and his cid wife crept TO his side
and kuelt beside him. while from his lips Mrs
Marsh heard, rs she closed the door, and lei'
/ the now united family to themselves, thi-
prayer:
Father, forgive Us our trespasses, as We
forgive those who trespass against us
! Judge Howard had no. uttered it before
for ten years.
After thar nlgAt the Judge manson wa
not only the sta.elisst. bu; the happiest home
in Ashdale. Caroline Huntlev had borne a:
long As she could the burden of her father.
untorslvins anger. and when the weight OF
her heart became too heavy to be endured
she started with her child for home Tht
stage had set them down that stormy nigh
IN her native village. aud the 70 rgiyeness fol
which she scarcely dared to hope had ex
banded Ia&0 welcome
Ihe old people could not again spare thei
daughter, and they summoned Richard Hunt
ley home. \ son he proved. for whom an
father might be proud, and IL after years n,
shadow tFooded over the peaceful dwelling
where once more chi.dren's feet danced roun,
the hearth ire, snd children's fancies bull
castles in the enbers 10 shadow, until rha
last dsrkness came which should Be but III
night above whith should rise the CALI
morning Q: eternity