The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1876-02-17
Do ] ,noI youl qaerIed Joey

Not particle, said bis new friend.
know I've seen you some place, said
joey confidently, or else yon are jasi
Ike somebody somewhere.
Josoy takes queer fancics In that bead
Of bis. sometimes, said Unelc VIII.
The stranger did not reply, bul watch.
ca the boy closely. Joey, said he, could
YOU remember who the somebody vas u
took my bat on
P'raps SO; do It. Add the stranger
did, but still joey looked puzzled, May
be dreamed about YOU, said Joey.
Joey, said bis new friend with a quick
glance at the doctor, do look IKE your
somebody now 7 aud the stranger brushed
his wsyy locks from his broad full fore
head. The child gave one long, searching
look, and then reaching mp near the
strangers ear, he whispered, You look
just like Uncle Joe's picture, Is your
Yes, darling, he answered, In . husky
voice, your own wandering uncle, come
at last.
Dr. win sprang to his feet, be never
knew what became OF that superior cigar,
but seizing bis brothers hand, he lod him
into the group, saying, Father, Mother,
here's the best present you ever had
here's our dear old Joe, may God bIess
him.
Mother Bray kissed him as she had
twelve yevrs before. Father wept Hike q
child over his precious boy, and brothers
aud sisters whirled him about hugged
him, kissed him, and shook him, until he
threw himself on tie grass qnite exhaust
ed, where be was joined by little Joe,
who declared, be is mine anyhow, for |
iinded him first. The children were al
lowed to sit up an hour later than usual,
aud their parents asked so many quee-
of Mr.. Josephs, he insisted upon It, they
attacked him as fiercely rs mosquitoes In
India.
How about those specimens, you rAs-
calf said DR.. will, giving him an alice
tionale pinch.
was looking for specimens OF the
human heart, said Joe, gravely, and !
found rare precious ones.
How could you see us all, and keep
still? said Ben.
nearly broke down, he answered,
when went into the old dlning-room,
and saw Mother, but she did not see her
baby in the rough man; and then when
you all came in, nothing but that cigar
kept me from playing the baby; and |
came near dropping that, when viii was
telling me what he would give to see his
brother once more.
The doctor responded to this with a
hearty shake of the hand.
think, children, said Father Bray,
we had better walk into the sitting room,
and say few words to friend that has
been very kind 10 mother and |.
And they went in, the old man leaning
on Joe's arm. After prayers came the
good-nights, SO very hard TO say when
each had so much 10 hear and tell. VIII
declared he had half mind to give all
patients the slip for one night, and try
his old quarters with Joe; and Joe
heartily wished he would, aud asked II
the shed roof still came under the win
dow, so he could steal out and help him-
self to melons as in the old day. Better
stay, Will; | have a thousand things 10
say to you.
But Wills pretty wife looked sober,
and Mother knew they would talk all
night. No, they must all 60 home, and
all return, even the wee baby, to take
break fast with Joe next morning; il
should be a grand holiday for old and
young.
All right, old fellow, said Sam, get
your pipes in good order for day OF
talking. Goodnight, goodnight, sound
ed on all sides Of happy Joe.
When the door had closed after them
he took up his lamp, Come mp for talk,
Mother. or | shall not realize that | am
home again; but no. you precious wo-
man, you are too old for that now.
A woman is never TOO old to tend her
baby, Joey, If he is bearded man; ]
shall come, dear.
Once more ia the old room, the man
realized the beauty of home as no one
can save those who have beeu tossed
about Oh the restless, changing scenes Of
life, among strange people, is strange
places. The little room looked ike the
face OF an old friend-even his oil slip
pers were in the old corner, his pictures
were still hanging in the old places, and
the pencil sketch OF sweet Anaie Lee
still hung over the mirror, where his
hands had fastened it. lie looked from
one thing TO another, aud prepared to
retire, saying to himself II 1t isall well
with Annie, shall think my home com.
ing almost visit in Paradise, and 10
think, these dear people did not get ali
the presents | sent them, and Hot even
one letter for years. lie bad just settled
his head on the pillow, When bs heard
bis mothers rap. Come In, and In she
came, in her wrapper, sitting down on
the side Of his bed, - she always had 10
the old days, and taking bis hand iu hers
In the old gentle way.
For time, they enjoyed silence too
sacred for speech At last, she said, as
she might have done had no years come
and gone between her isst visit and HE
present--lias my boy anything 10 tell