The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-05-01
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THE WANDERERS RETURN
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THE WANDERERS RETURN.
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Patter, patter, came the rain, steadily,
heavily, Oh, what q dresry day it is r
said Lottie Maynard as she looked np
from her sewing, and gazed out Of the
window of the old farm house where she
resided. .ssa os.oe1 g eis5 ssl 7ssa !llu I
os "Dreary enough" replied her mother,
in . CHEEKY voice, although her spirits
were evidently depressed by the gloom
sbut lvhope it may clear, away before
|nightfall' Z at s1sn3iS s.Ess4 lSs, Assisss
II hope so,too," said Lottie, ~for you
know, mother. I promised Emma Brown
I would spend this evening with her, and
! know she. will feel so disappointed il
the rain prevents me from going sss.
s"Well, my dear, If you cannot GO, you
must not feel dissatisfied, hut be thank,
fol that you have q good home to, shelter
you from the storm without How many
poor creatures are exposed TO its fury,
and perhaps no home in which to take
refuge" ep,.ga ,,r-,,..,
ii wonder where poor Charlie Is 10.
night ?" said Lottie. sorrowfully.
"God only knows" replied the mother
drawing deep sigh; "but trust His
sheltering arms are arouud. him, wherever
he. may be. It Is almost three years
now since be vent away" III X =
SOh, I remember it all 80 wen" said
Lottie; "you know, mother, he did not
come down to his breakfast that morn.
ing and you, sent me up to, his room to
see il he was sick flor he never needed
ealling) aud when I opened his door be
wasyno where to be seen."s sii2sif igge
s.He was thoughtless, ,wayward hoy" !"
said the mother, tears starting into her
eyes, "bnt he was ever kind and affec
tionate toward his mother, and I am
afraid your father was, rather too stern
with him .sgs,'Sg
"Do you think he will ever come
back p" said Lottie In, an earnest voice.
"Oh, how very glad we should all be to
see him again; and i am sure father
would rejoice at his RETURN sas1 II aasot.
II am always hoping and praying that
he may return to be blessing to as all
yet" said Mrs Maynard. "Often | lie
awake great part Of the night thinking
about him. Sometimes ! fear the cruel
sea has swallowed him up,i and all the
fond hopes that were conferred in hims=
Then, again hope whispers that he ye,
lives and will gladden. our hearts again
With bis presenceS IrAnd ON what q
sweet thought il ISL L trust this trial
may be blessed to rus all. for Gods ways
are mot as ours wsys,, you know.1 II
looks very dark now, but light may dawn
upon as and fll our hearts with Joy - -
.He is quite o, yonng man, now, : said
Lottie, meditatiyely,o -e,,,,,.t 1 .,.g.,.olge,
81 aYes,n saidhermother,, ,,asnd age and
experience often, bring wisdom"
Silence reipned for Awhile, for both
mother and dSurh:er seemed inclined. q
think rather than talk. = The bic drops
of rain beat upon the window panes,y and
the wind whistled around the snug dwell.
ling, making them realize the comforts
by which they were surrounded. They
thought OF Tie dear One far away, and
wondered whether he was shielded from
the pitiless storms = and above all. wLeth
er he was safe from the many tempta
tons which beset the pathway of ths
Young and inexperienced when they ar,
ont in the cold and unfeeling world AVA,
from the benion influence of homa ani
| friends. III, li. IHS
Suddenly Lottie exclaimed:
r.Oha Emotherl do look at that poo
man walking in the middle of thelroad
HE must be drenched to the skin.
iwonder why he is out on such d dread
| full day. Where can he be going p?,,i'
aaPerhaps he is on on his way 10 som
farmhouse to try; and, procure. work work,
said her mother. " '.Sga r. 81, :
,"Hes coming to ward, our gate,' sal
ILottie, "and he's dressed line sailor.-
,tIzyonder what he can want Y',isooi 4
1. She watched hin oss lie entered III
tgate, and walked ups the path to tb
house; then a loud rap was heard at th
ldoor,and she ran to open it; there stoo
1.-THE poor man. the wet dripping from sli
Jgarments, and the cold wind beating th
rain in his face. 80 J"s- :, - - -