The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-22


with an oath. presented pistol. and a
demand for money. But II was met by
will of iron and grip of steel. The as
/ sailant and assailed rolled together upon
the ground. But the next momen. the
old man was erect; one hand grasping
the captured pistol. the other clutching at
arms length the throat Of figure surly,
youthful and savage.
Young man. said Mr.. Thompson. set
ting his thin lips together, what might be
your nameT
Thompson
The old mans hand slid from the throat
TO the arm of his prisoner.
Charles Thompson. come with me,
he said, presently, and marched his cap
tive to the hotel. What took place there
has not transpired. but Il was known the
next morning that Mr.. Thompson had
found his son.
II Is proper to add the above improb-
able story. that there was nothing in the
young mans appearance or manners to
Justify Il. Grave. retisent. and handsome.
devoted TO his newly found parent, he as
sumed the emoluments and responsible
ties Of his new condition with certain
serious ease that more nearly approached
that which San Francisco society lacked,
and-rejected. Some chose To depise
this quality, rs tendency TO psalm
singing others saw il In the inherited
qualities of the parent, and were ready to
prophesy for the son the same hard old
age. But all agreed that 1t was not con-
sistent with the habits OF money-getting
1 - E.tk .rI .fa,I
And yet, the old man did not seem TO be
happy. Perhaps II was the consumma-
tion Of his wishes left him without rract-
ical mission; perhaps-and IL Is more
probable-he had little love for the son he
had reg,,ined. The obedience he exacted,
was freely given; tho reform he had set
his heart upon was complete; and yet
somehow, IL did not seem to please him.
In reclaiming his sou. he had fulfilled all
the requirements that his religious duty
Required of him, and yet the act seemed
TO lack sanctification. In this perplexity.
he read again the parable Of the Prodi-
gal Son-which he had long ago adopted
for his guidance, and found that he had
omitted the final feast OF reconciliation.
This seemed to offer the proper quality Of
ceremoniousness in the sacriment between
himself and his son; and so, year after
the appearance Of Charles, he set about
giving him u party. Invite everybody,
Charles he said. dryly: everybody
who knows that brought you out of the
wine-husks Of iniquity, and the company
Of harlots; and bid them eat, drink and
be merry
Perhaps the old man had another rea-
son, not vet clearly analyzed. The fine
house he had built on the sand.hills some
times seemed lonely and bare. He often
found himself trying TO reconstruct, from
the grave features Of Charles, the little
boy which he but dimly remembered in
the past. and OF which lately he had been
thinking great deal. He believed tins
to be a sign Of impending old age and
lchildishness; but coming. one day, into
his formal drawing room. upon a child OF
one of the servants. who had strayed
therein, he would have taken him in his
arms. but the child fled before his griz-
zled face, SO that 1t seemed eminently
proper to invite number ofpeoplc to his
house, and, from the array of San Fran
cisco maidenhood. to select danghter-in-
law. And then there would be child =
boy, whom hc could rare up from the
beginning. and-love-as he did not love
Charles.
We were all at the party. The Smiths.
Joneses. Browns and Robinsons also came,
in that fine flow Of animal spirits, I'M
checked by any respect for the entertain
er. which most OF us are apt 10 find so
fascinating. The proceedings would have
been somewhat riotous, but for the social
position Of the actors. In fact, Mr.. Bra
cy Tibbets, having naturally fine appre-
Iciation OF a humorous situation, but fur
ther impelled by the bright eyes OF the
Jones girls, conducted himself so remark
ably as TO attract the serious regard of
Mr.. Charles Thompson, who approach
ed him saying quietly You look Ill,
Mr.. Tibbets; let me conduct you to your
carriage, Resist. you hound. and Ill
throw you through that window; this way,
the room is close and distressing Ii Is
hardly necessary to say that but u part ot
this speech was audible TO the company.
and that the rest was not divulged by Mr..
Tibbets. who afterwards regretted the
sudden illness which kept him from wit
Messing very amusing incident, which
the fastest Miss Jones characterized rs
the richest part OF the blowout" and
which hasten to record.
II was ut supper. II was evident that
Mr.. Thompson had overlooked much law
lessness in the conduct Of the younger
people, in his abstract contemplation oi
some impending event. When the cloth
was removed. he rose to his feet. and
grimly tapped upon the table. A litter,
that broke out among the Jones girls, be-
came epidemic on one side OF the board.
Charles Thompson. from the foot Of the
table looked up In tender perplexity.
He's going to sing q doxology- He's
going TO pray Silence for . speech.
ran around the room.
IT'S one year to-day. Christian broth
lers and sisters said Mr.. Thompson,
with grim deliberation, 'one year to-day
since my son came home from eating o.
wine-hnsks and of spending his subst,nc,
on harlots.' CThe tittering suddenly ceas
ed) Look at him now. Charles
Thompson. stand up (Charles Thomp
son stood up.) One year ago to-day
and look at him nowT
He WAS certainly handsome prodigal
standing there in his cheerful evening
drcss-a repentant prodigal. with sad
obedient eyes t, rned upon the. harsh ant
unsympathetic glance Of his father. The
youngest Miss Smith. from the pure
depths Of her foolish little heart movet
unconsciously towards him. 1T Is tteer
years, since he len my house. said Mr.
Thompson. n rover and prodigal.
was myself a man Of sin. o Christian
friends-a man of wrath and bitterness
(Amcn.' from the eldest Miss Smith,,
but. praise be to God, I've fed the wratf
to come. It's Eve years since got the
peace that p.sseth understanding. Hav,
YOU got Il my friendse "a general ant
sub-chorus Of No. no. from the girls. and
Pass the word for it. from midshipmar
Coke of the U. S. sloop wothersheld.,
KNOCK and Ii shall be opened unto you.
And when found tho error Of my