Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-08-18


Pass the word for it, from Midshipman
Coke of the Z. S. sloop Wethersfeld. J
"Knock and it shall be opened to you"
And when | found the error of my ways
and the preciousness of grace, continued
son. By sea and land sought him far and
tainted not. did not wait for him to come
TO me-with The same | might have done,
and justified myself by tho Book of books.
but | sought him out among his husks, and
THE rest of his sentence was lost in the
rustling withdrawal of the ladies'. Works,
Christian friends is my motto. By their
works shall ye know them, and there is
mine"
The particular and accepted work to
which Mr.. Thompson was alluling. had
turned quite pale aud was looking fixedlv
toward the open door leading to the ver-
ande, lately filed by gaping servants, and
now the'scene CT some vague tumult. AS
the noise continued, man shabbily dress
cd, and evidently in liquor, broke through
the opposing guardians, and staggered into
the room. The transition from the log and
darkness without to the glare and heat
within, evidently dazZled and stupefed
him. He removed his battered hat, and
passed it once or twice before his eyes as
he steadied himself, but unsuccessfully by
the back Of chair. Suddenly his wander
ing glance fell upon the face of Charles
Thompson and, with CLEAN of child
like recognition, and weak, talsetto laugh
he darted toward caught at the table, and
upset the glasses, and literally fell upon the
prodigaPs breast
"Sha'iy yo'd id olscounrel, hoo var
ye!
"Hush sit down hush q said Charles
Thompson, hurriedly endeavoring to ex-
tricate himself from the embrace OF his un-
expected g'lest.
'IIook at N - continued the stranger,
unloading the admonition, but suddenly
holding the unfortunate Charles at arms
length, in loving and undisguised admira-
ton of his festive appearance. Look at M
Amt he nastyl7 Sha'ls, I'm PROV of yer !"
'I.eave the house said Mr. Thompson
rising with dangerous look in his cold
gray eve Charles, how dare you 2"
Skinner down, ole man Shals, who's
tn OF bloat Eli ?"
"Hush man here take this y With
nervous hands, Charles Thompson filed a
iii to. morrow-any time, but leave US l-go
nowl" Bat even then, ere the miserable
wretch could drink, the old man, with pas
sion, was upon hun, Half carrying him III
his powerful arms, half dragging him
through the circiing crowd of frightened
guests he had reached the door swung OPP
en- by the waiting servants, when Charles
Thompson started from seeming stupor,
crying
"Stop T.
The old man stopped. Through the op-
en- door the fog and wind drove chilly.
"What does this mean ?" he asked, turning
a baleiul face on Charles
"Nothing-but stop-for Gods sake.
"Wait till tomorrow, but not tonight. Do
mott implore you-do this thing.
There was something in the tone OF the
Young mans voice something perhaps In
the contact of the struggling wretch he held
in his powerful arms but a dim, indeh-
mite fear took possession of the old N ans
heart, "Who'" he whispered hoarsly, sis
this man ?"
Charles did not answer,
"Stand back, there, all of you, thunder
ed MIR. Thompson, to the crowding guests
around him. "Charles-come here
command you'll: beg you-tell
me who is this man 2"
Only two persons heard the answer that
came family from the lips OF Charles
Thompson:
Your son,
When day broke over the black sand-hills
the guests had departed from Mr., Thomp-
sons banquet halls. The lights still burn
ed dimly and coldly in the deserted rooms
deserted by all but three figures. that
huddled together in the chill drawing room
as if for warmth. One lay in drunken
sumber on coach at his feet sat he who
bad been known AZ Charles Thompson :
and beside them, haggard and shrunken
to half his size, bowed the figure OF Mr..
Thompson, his gray eye fixed, his elbows
upon his knees, and his hands clasped over
his ears, as if to shut out the sad entreat-
inc voice that seemed to fill the room
'sGod knows | did not set about to will
fully deceive. The name | give that night
was the first that came into my thought
the name of one whom | thought dead
the dissolute companion of my shame,
And when you questioned further, l used
the knowledge that gained from him TO
touch YOUR lePrl 10 Stl Ilo llSc-OhiJ, i
sweare for thu But when you told me
who you were, and | first saw the opeing
OF another life before me-then then. o
sir, if was hungry, homeless, and reck-
less when would have robbed you of your
gold, was heart-sick, helpless and des-
perate, when would have robbed you OF
your love. "
The Old man stirred not. From his luxu-
rious couch, the new found prodigal snored
peacefully.
u had no father could claim. / never
knew home but this. was tempted. |
have been happy-very happy
He rose and stood before the old man.
$40 not fear that shall come between
your son and his inheritance, To-day
leave this place, never to return. The
world is large, sir, and, thanks to your
| kindness | now see the way by which
an honest livelihood is gained Good-by.
You will not take my hand Well, well,
! Good-bv