Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-02-18

"P'raps so; do It," And the stranger did,
but still Joey looked puzzled. "May be
dreamed about you," said joey.
Joeys father was busy just then telling
the family group about a new pump he
proposed trying, and no one observed un-
Gle VIII, the stranger aud little Joe.
"Joey," said his new friend with quick
glance at the doctor, "Jo look like your
somebody ?" and the stranger brushed
his wavy locks away from his broad, full
forehead. The child gave one long, searcb-
ing look, and then reaching up nearer the
strangers ear, he whispered, "You look
just like uncle Joc's picture; is your"
"Yes, darling" he answered, in husky
voice, "your own wandering uncle, come
at last"
DIR. VIII sprang TO his feet, he never
knew what became oflhat Superior cigar"
but seizing his brothers. hands, he led him
into the group, saying, "Father, mother,
here's the best present you ever had here's
our dear old Joe, God bless him."
Mother Bray kissed the "dear child" as
she bad done twelve years before, father
wept like a child over his "precious boy"
and brothers and sisters whirled him about,
hugged him, kissed him, and shook him,
until ho threw himself on the grass quite
exhausted, where he was Joined by little
Joe, who declared, "he Is mine anyhow,
for finded him first" The children were
allowed to sit up an hour later than usual,
aud their parents asked so many questions
of "Mr Josephs," he insisted upon it, they
attacked him as fiercely as musquitos in
India.
"How about those specimens, you ras-
cal ?" said DR.. viii, giving him an alice
tionate pinch.
81 was looking for specimens OF the hui
man heart" said ice, gravely, "and found
rare, precious ones"
GLOW could you see us all, and keep
still?" said Ben.
az nearly broke down." he answered,
when went into tho old dining 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 hat when Will was telling what
he would give 10 see his brother once more"
The doctor responded 10 this with
hearty shake of the hand"
81 think, children" said father Bray,
1--WE had better walk into the sitting room,
aud say few words to a friend that has
been very good to us all, especially TO Moth
or and l."
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 TO hear and tell. Will
a l.. l.. 10
tients the slip for one night, and try his old
quarters with Joe; and Joe heartily wish
ed he would, and asked it the shed roof
still came under the window, so he could
steal out and help himself to melons as in
the old day. Better stay, Will; have q
thousand things 10 tell you.'
But WilPs pretty wife looked sober, and
mother knew they would talk all night.
No, they must all SO home, and all return,
even the wee baby, TO take breakfast with
Joe next morning; it should be 4 grand
holiday for old and young"
IAN right, old fellow" said Sam, "get
your pipes in good order for day of talk
ing" Goodnight, goodnight, good
night" sounded on all sides of happy Joe.
When the door bad closed after them, he
took up his lamp, "Come up for our little
talk, mother, or l shall not realize that /
am home again but no, you precious wo-
man, you must not, you are too old for that
now"
"A woman is never too old to tend her
baby, Joey, If he is q bearded man /
shall come, dear"
Once more in the old room, the man real
lied the beauty Of "home" as no one can
save those who have been tossed about on
the restless, changing scenes of life, among
ST range people, in strange places. The lit
tic room looked like the face of an old
friend-even his old slippers were in the
old corner; his pictures were still hanging
in the old places, aud the pencil sketch of
sweet Annie Lee still hung over the mir
ror where his hands had fastened II. He
looked fiom one thing 10 another, and pre-
pared 10 retire, saying to himself, 'Ifall is
well with Annie, shall think my homo
coming almost a visit in Paradise, and to
think, these dear people did not get all the
presents / sent them, aud not even one let
ter for years" lie had just settled his
h cad on the pillow, when he heard his
mo theirs rap. "Come in" and in she came,
in h er wrapper, sitting down on the side of
his bed, as she always had in the old days,
a nd taking his hand in hers, in the old gen.
lie way.
For time. they enjoyed a silence too sa-
cred for speech. At last, she said, as she
might have done had no years come and
gone between her last visit and the present
-''IIas my boy anything to tell mother TO-
night2"
ayes, mother, something to tell, and one
question to ask. l want TO tell you that
your wanderer has never done any one act
that would cause you to blush for him
and, also, TO say 1t was your love, and the
memory of our goodnight talks, that served
10 keep me from evil have returned,
proud to hold your dear hand, and feel de-
serving OF your love-"
"Joey, my prayers are answered; man
in years, a child at hoart and now the
question:
The man glanced toward the little sketch,
and his mother answered his unspoken
thought.
"Annie is the same, dear; your sweet
heart when you left, yours still. She has
been a great comfort TO us all she had
such perfect faith and trust in you, shO
knew you would come, and she was sure
the silence meant no evil. have sent for
her to take break fast with me, as she often
does, and you shall have the pleasure OF
sur prising her, as you did us; her eyes, 1
fancy, will be keener than your little name
sake's."
"Thank you, mother darling" And the