River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-06-14

doors. I'm going, Maudie. I'll take the
box down to Doffrafield's, and see what
can do Don't breath a word TO mamma,
until come back"
Meantime, Mrs. Delafeld, in the other
room, was YEARLY getting her few effects
together, in order for their sudden re-
moval A great many empty caskets
passed through her hands. One box had
held laces, another Jewels, another rare
linens; all were empty. The contents
had gone for daily bread, as Tom had
said. She was looking with sort of
vague hope, if there was anything left 10
sell.
At the very bottom of one trunk. she
came upon a coat, which had belonged TO
her husband; worn and familiar in look,
handkerchief in one pocket, letter in
another. She put il back with a cry of
pain.
"Ohl / can't, | can't. Heaven help
me rshc cried, and burying her face in
her hands, burst into tears.
Her husband had been Surgeon John
Delafield, of the United States service;
and for the first two years after their mar
riage, she had gone with him over seas,
and into many a foreign land. Such
happy years they WERE But after that,
Maudie was so fragile that she was COM
PEELED to remain at home. Her husband
went alone; and from one voyage he new
er returned. There had been success
sion of great gales at sea; and his vessel
had never been heard from. Ten dreary,
endless years. Yet how green his mem
ory lived in her true heart still, She put
back the coat, as something too sacred TO
| be touched, and closed the trunk.
/ Meantime, Tom made his way to Doh-
/ rafields, a sort of marine institution
near the harbor, whose proprietor made
his living by buying UP odds and ends
4 from INDECENT seamen.
4 Here he offered the box of surgical in
struments for sale, and received paltry
offer for them.
Only thatt Why, they're worth five
times as much, cried Tom, Indignantly.
Twenty times as much would better
express il, put in stranger who stood
/ looking on. = Boy, what are YOU selling
those instruments for. How did you
come by them
Tom faced about like a lion, his hand
some eyes flashing fire.
came by them honestly, sir, though
don't admit your right to question me.
They belonged to my father
The stranger smiled admiringly.
at was impertinent TO ask; bat |
might buy them, if l could feel sure you
are right in selling them"
Il am right, sir. They belonged TO my
father, and-and- You see, sir, we're
hard up, and they've got to go"
The confession cost the boy a struggle,
and brought the blood to his fair fore
head.
who was your father, my fine fell
luwlr
My father. sir. was Surgeon John
Delatield lie is dead"
what, What do you sayF cried the
stranger. Gracious heavens, Why.
Tom, Tom, don't you know me! I'm
your father"
Tom wheeled around, and looked at the
bronzed face. The tender. handsome
eyes were not to be mistaken. He had
seen them toe often in the little locket
his mother always wore upon her heart.
/ He made a step forward, and tried to
+ speak; but the words failed; he fell to
+ the floor in heap. Poor, brave, self-con-
fident Tom had tainted like girl.
! But the keen air soon restored him.
/ Come, father Oh. do come father
he cried, Juggling at his fathers arm.
Only think OF EN- at home. In such
awful trouble, too Oh, think of mamma
and Maudie. Father, do come ON fast,
They hurried on through the increas-
ing storm.
"Theres the house father. You see
that light yonder. We couldn't afford to
live in New York any longer, and had to
come to this cheap place. But even here
we're starving. Oh, my precious, little
mother, won't this be the iollIest night
her life? To think Of the trouble she's
+ in. Ordered TO leave the cottage to-mor-
row, too. That's why | wanted to sell
your instruments, you see, father
The cottage was now at hand. At their
I knock, Mrs Delafeld opened the door.
+ Her husband rushed forward. and caught
+ her to his heart.
at is |, dear Don't you know me:
/ Not dead, but saved by miracles. after ali
these long years"
Hurrah. it's father" cried Tom.
whirling his cap in the air.
She did not faint, as Tom had expected.
Her great sorrow had never been bolster
Gus, neither was her great Joy.
MauuIe lOokeu w AT lIlt suh-oiuNHtu
face, when she. too. had heard the Won
derful news.
Where have you been, papa To
heaven! And has God sent you back to
u.s."
Not to heaven. Maudie The other
place would better express 1t. Wrecked
off the South Sea Islands, and as good as
roasted and eaten by cannibaIs, then a
prisoner for years. But here ! am, at
last. Tom found me"
Maudies shining eyes sought her
mothers.
"Yes. papa, Tom found you. But ]
believe. all the same, it WAS Gods OPP
portunity.