The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-04-02
"Did YOU wish to see nv father, sjrY'

) changed from the dear little sister had
loved so well. looked at her moment,
and then sitting the tumult Of my heart
by mighty effort, opened my arms and
said
"Jcnnie, don't you know me3''
'Harry Oh, my brother Harry she
cried, and threw herself upon my breast.
She wept as if her heart would break.
could not weep. drew her gently into
the lighted parlsr, and stood with her be.
fore them all. There was a rush and cry
of joy, and then my mother and my father
sprang towards me and welcomed me home
with hear tfelt tears. Oh, strange and pass
ing sweet is such greeting to the waywern
traveller. And as held my dear old
mother to my heart, and graspcd my faith
er's hand, while Jennie clung beside me,
| felt that oil was not yet lost, and, though
another had secured lfes choicest blessing
many JOYS remained for me in this dear
sanctuary Of home.
There were four others, inmates Of the
room, who had risen on my sudden en-.
trance. One was the blue-eyed child whom
| had already seen, and who now stood by
Frak Chester, clinging to his hand. Near
by stood Lizzie, Mary Moore's eldest sis
ter, and in distant corner, where she had
hurriedly retreated when my name was
spoken, stood tall and slender figure, half
hidden by the heavy window curtain that
fell to the floor.
When the first rapturous greeting was
| over, Jennie led inc forward with timid
grace, and Frank Chester grasped my
/ hand.
welcome home, my boy he said, with
loud, cheerful tones remembered so we'll.
"You have changed so would never have
know you; but no matter for that your
heart is in the right place, know"
"How can you say he changed p said my
mother, gently. "To be sure he looks old
er and graver, and more like man than
when he went away but his eyes and
smile are the same as ever. 1t is that
heavy beard that changes him. He is my
boy still"
Yes, mother" I answered sadly; 81 am
your boy still"
God help me! At that moment fet like
a boy, and it would have been blessed re-
lief to have wept upon her bosom, as had
done in my infancy. But kept down the
beating of my heart and the tremor of my
lip, and answered quietly, as looked in
his full, handsome face
You have changed too, Frank, but I
think for the better"
"Oh, yes-thank you for the compli-
ment. My wife tells me l grow handso,ner
every day"
His wife Could hear that name and
keep silent still?
"And have you seen my little girl ?" he
added, lifting the infant in his arms, and
kissing her crimson cheek. ''I tell you,
Harry, there is not another like her in the
United States. Don't you think she looks
very much like her mother used to-"
Every much," faltercd.
| "Halo y said Frank with suddenness
that made me start violently; 81 had for
gotten to introduce you to my wife. l be-
lieve you and she used to be playmates in
your young days. Eh, Harry?" and he
slapped me on the back. "For the sake Of
old times and because you were not at the
wedding, l will give you leave to kiss her
once; but mind, old fellow, don't repeat the
ceremony. Come, here she is, and for once
| will manage those ferocious moustaches
of yours in the operation.
He pushed Lizzie, laughing and blush
ing, towards ME. A gleam Of light and
hope, almost too dazzling to bear, came
over me, and cried out before thought,
mot Mary!'
1t must have betrayed my secret to every
one in the room, but nothing was said; even
Frank was this time silent. kissed the
fair cheek of the young wife, and hurried
to the silent figure looking out of the win
dow.
"Mary-Mary Moore" said I, in low
voice, "have you alone no welcome to give
the wanderer2'
She turned and laid her hand in mine,
and murmured hurriedly II am glad 20
see you here, Harry.
Simple words--and yet how blest they
made me! would not have yielded up
that moment for an emperor's crown. There
was the happy home group, and the dear
home fireside, and there sweet Mary Moore
The eyes had dreamed Of by night and by
day were falling before the ardent gaze OF
mine, and the sweet face l had so long
prayed to see was there before me-more
beautiful than before. never knew till
that moment the meaning Of real happi-
ness.
Many years have passed since that hap
py night, and the hair that was dark and
glossy then, is fast turning grey. am
growing to be an old man, and can look
back to long, happy, and well-spcnt life.
And yet, sweet as it has been, would not
recall single day, for the love that made
my manhood so bright shines also upon me
in my white hairs. An old man ? Can this
be so? At heart am as young as ever.
And Mary, with her bright hair parted
smoothly from brow that has slight fur,
row in it, is still the Mary of my early days.
To me she can never grow old or change.
The heart that held her in infancy, and
sheltered her pionsly in the flush and beau
ty of womanhood, can never cast her ou,
till life shall cease to warm it, Nor even
then, for love still lives in heaven.
W A very funny incident happened