Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-01-07
COMING HOME.

-
ssHE welcome letter is read-thrice well
zScome, for it says III viii be home to.night,
How softly bright the mother'seyes, as she
busies herself about the house, making it
fresh aud inviting for the absent one. How
merryly the children shout d caper as they
are told that s'Pspa is coming home to day.
Mother prepares his fayoriee dish for the
late tea sister Anna ptSices over%the old
Scotch ballad papa loves {st. and Rob and
Hattie can scarcely wait fl nightfall.
The hour comes at lensh, aud brings papa,
laden with all those parcel which are so de-
ligh.fully mysterious to th} }children. 5
What GLAD shout aud ash 10 greet papa /
sWersl R
What an uudoipg 81 4 .. psrcels..swhose
wrappings are SO troublesome, and whose
strings ,ofH knot
Theu ,heipet rabbi. and Miss Dolly's new
dress, made by Hattie's own tiny fingers. are
shown aud much admired 3
The evening swiftly glides away, the good.
nights are said, and all go TO rest. while the
clock .icxs on more contentedly than ever, esss
now theT master is home again : or: at least
mother thinks so, as she lies listening toSits
sound a few moments before falling asleep.
sJimmv, father is coming; let's rrtn :"
aid two dirty, ragged little creatures hurry
out of the basement into which drunken
man stnmbles the next moment.
Finding no one there but his poor. misern-
BILE wife. he begins the usual order of things
by cursing and abusing her.
The abuse at length reaches blows, and the
wretched woman escapes into the street, calls
ing for help, her husband following her.
Tbof's ~
policeman, as lie buttons up his coat and
starts down the natrow, dirty street in the di.
rection of the sounds. while the children cow
er tremblinely in the corner, notv and then
peerins forth to see if s'Father is cominc."-
Lond, fierce words and oaths reach their ears.
and soon they see the "star" shining. and
know by that the policeman is cotning back.
and. by the noise and confusion, that he is
taking "Father" to the station
Whsu they are quite past and out of sight,
the frightened little objects draw long
breath of relief, and come out of the corner
and back to the hovel they call "home," com
torting themselves with the assurance that
''father won't be home tonight, anyway"
"Hy darling is coming home to>day" whis-
pers the young girl to herself, as she fits
about now here, now there restless with low
and snatching every possible moment to read
again the dear lines which brought the glad
tldings. She counts the hours and moments
as they drag along-to her at leust-and, MS
the time draws near. she takes out the white
dress and pretty ribbons she wore the night
John told her she "lonked so.4beautifnl. - md
after careful toilet and last smiling. lin
sering look at the charming picture she meets
in the glass, runs out in the garden and gath.
ers boquet of the freshest, choicest flowers.
and placing one on her bosom and another in
her hair, she selects sweet half,opened rose
for "denr John" In a few moments the
we'll, known step and voice are heard. and the
next Instant, she is clasped to her lovers
breast
Nor now does she even phisper the fond
words of the mornine-that is only for her
heart, as yet-but her eloquent. love.lit eyes
and biushing face are an all>sufficient answer
when her lovers deep, tender heart whispers,
els my darling so very glad to sec me ~
When the brttwn cutls press the pillow late
tina. night she looks ott at the bright. gIim-
mering stars and thinks "what n beautiful
world it is ]"
All the beauty she sees is owing chiefly
to the fact that her lover has come home to-
night.
There is another coming home-to a dark
dreadful home. Soutterly dark and wretche,l
my pen refuses to attempt description of it,
Banished from all thugs beautiful, holy, and
pure, to world of darkness, pain and des-
pair. who can measure the unfathomable
depth Of woe and anguish which must attend
the coming home of the losti
In a bright. glorious mansion, they are
making ready for the coming home of many
loved ones.
There is joyful Autter of wings. a timing
OF melodious harps and Tyres. The soft, pure
air is ladened with the refrain, "Thcy are
coming home! they are coming home,"
Here. close by the gates, faithful mother
is waiting to welcome home her child rhe
fond husband waits for the absent wife; the
''lost baby" longs for it's mother, and the gen
tie sister looks eagerly for her brother, the
wild, young brother to whom she whispered
at parting, Meet me in Heaven, Charlie" !"
Friend waits for friend, the pastor fot his
flock.
There is glad, expec.snt stir, the pearly
gates are opened wide, and amid the trium-
.phant anthems of heavens host, the ransomed
enter In. Oh, what a meeting for that mo-
ther; husband, sister friend. But far above
all these is the JOY of the; saved with the Sa-
viour, OF the repentant prodigal with his Fa-
ther, of the sheep with the Shepherd. No
more temptation for the sinner and the otod.
lgal No more wandering for the sheep 10
rough and lonely waysl No more WEAKNESS
pain or sorrow At home forever, where ali
is joy and love and peace,
GChristian Union.
The BEGGAR's BR1DaE.-The following
legend relates how certain Grand Duke of