Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-10-10
NO. 242.
CoNING HONE.

AAO WCiCOIuc lcttcC - Ieau-L0r1co
welcome. for it says II will be home to.
night" How softly bright the mother'l
eyes. as she busies herself about the house,
I making it fresh and inviting for the ab.
sent one. How merrily the children shout
j and caper as they are told that Papa ID
/ coming home to-day"
; Mother prepares bis favorite dish for
the late tea: sister Anna practiced over
! the old Scotch ballad papa loves best,
r and Rob and Hattie can scarcely watt
for nightfall. -
Ihe hour comes at length and bring,
papa. laden with all those parcels which
dren.
What a glad shout and rush to greet
papa!
What food Of happy questions and
answers! Z s---
i What an uudoing of the parcels, whose
wrappings are SO troublesome, and whose
strings will knot! ~'-'-
Then the pet rabbit and Miss Dolly's
new dress, made by Hattie's own tiny fiu-
gers, are shown, and much admired.
The evening swiftly glides away, the
good nights are said. and all go to rest
while the old clock ticks on more content
edly than ever, now the master is home
again, or at least mother thinks so, as
she lies listening to its sound few mo-
menss before falling asleep.
Jimmy, father is coming let's run !"
and two dirty, ragged little creatures hur-
ry out Of the basement into which 4 drum
ken man stumbles the next moment.
Finding no one lhere but his pc nis
cradle wife. he begins the usual order Of
things by cursing and abusing her.
The abuse at length reached blows, and
the wretched woman escapes into the
street, calling for help, her husband fol-
lowing her.
That's Jim, I'll be bound" muttcrs
and starts down the narrow. dirty street
in the direction Of the sounds, while the
children cover tremblingly in the corner,
now and then peering forth to see II "Fa-
ther is coming" Loud, fierce words and
oaths reach their ears, and soon they see
the ''star" shining, and know by that the
policeman lis coming back, and, by the
noise and confusion, that he is taking ''Fa-
ther" to the station. @-A
When they are quite past. and out Of
sight, the frightened little objects draw .
long breath OF relief, and come out Of the
corner and go back to the hovel they call
. "home," comforting themselves with the
assurance that Father won't be home to-
night, anyway"
MY darling is coming home to-day -
whispers the young girl 70 herself, as she
fits about, now here, now there, restless
) with joy, and snatching every possible
: moment to read again the dear lines
, which brought the glad tidings. She
counts the hours and moments - they
drag along-to her at least-and. ss the
time draws near, she takes out the white
dress and pretty ribbons she wore the
night John told her she ''looked so beau
tiful," and after careful toilet and last
smiling, lingering look at the charming
picture she meets in the glass, runs out
into the garden and gathers bouquet Of
the freshest, choicest flowers, and placing
one on her bosom and another in her hair,
she selects a sweet halt opened rose for
.'dear John.n In few moments the
| well-known step and voice are heard,
and the next instant in futter of joyful
excitement, she is clasped to her lovers
breast. aw1
| Not now does she even Uhisper the fond
words of the morning-that is only for
her own heart, as yet-but her eloquent,
love lit eye and blushing face are all-suffi-
cient answers when her lovers deep, ten
der voice whispers, ''Is my darling so
very glad 10 see me?' 1
When the brown curls press the pillow
late that night, she loooks out ut bright,
glimmering stars, and thinks ''what
beautiful world it isl
All. the beauty she sees Is owing
chiefly to the fact that her lover has come
home tonight.
In bright, glorious mansion, they
| are making ready for the coming home
of many loved ones.
| There is joyful tiutter ofwings, tun-
ing of melodious harps and Tyres. The
soft, pure air is laden with the refrain,
"They are coming home ! they are COM
ing home !"
Here close to the gates, faithful moth
er is waiting to welcome home her child.
The fond husband waits for tho absent
wife; the ''lost baby longs tor its mother;
and the gentle sister looks eagerly for
her brother, the wild young brother to
whom she whispered at parting. "Meet
me in Heaven, Charley" Friend waits
for friend; the pastor for his flock.
| There is a glad, expectant stir; the
pearly gates are opened wide, and amid
the triumphant anthems of heavens host,
the ransomed enter In. Oh, what meet
| ing for that mother, husband, sister, friend!
But far above all these is the JOY of the
meeting Of the saved with his Saviour, of
| the repentant prodigal with his Father, of
the sheep with the Shepherd. No more
temptation for the sinner and the prodi-
gal! No more wanderings for the sheep
in rough and lonely ways! No more
weariness, pain, or sorrow At home for.
ever. where all is joy and love and peace
-Christian Union.