Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-03-09

i
you any relation TO him, ma'am ?"
/ I'm his own mother. He's my only
sonr' cried Mrs. Maynard, the tears
gushing into her eyes, and starting to her
feet, she advanced toward the sailor.
"Oh, tell me, where did you see him last?
Where is he now my poor, poor boy
Will be soon come home"
The stranger covered his face with his
hands, while deep sob heaved his manly
bosom. Then. uncovering his face, the
big tears rolling down his cheeks, he
looked up, and said softly
''Mother, don't you know your boy? /
am Charlie Maynard -
A mothers arms were instantly thrown
around him. A mothers kisses fell thick
and fast OIL his swarthy face, and amid
the EXPLANATIONS OF JOY from herself and
Lottie, the poor wanderer felt that he
was indeed welcome.
81 knew you wouldn't know me-" he
said to his mother, after the first burst of
joy had subsidized. MY beard has grown
so Unusually for one of my age and my
face is so burnt by being i'm the tropics,
that thought would practice little
piece of deception, and it worked, as /
expected, to charm"
unfamiliar to me-" said his mother, sun
til you uttered those magic words, moth
er. don't you know your boy Then the
sure it was indeed my long lost son."
IL was sadly afraid Lottie would dis
cover the trick" said Charles. laughing.
''She looked at me so steadfastly."
i hadn't the least idea who you were,"
k~s- - a. 81 III
a hard lot yours was"
IL hope you will never leave us again"
said Mrs. Maynard, anxiously.
"No, mother, my mind is made up to
that. I've turned over fresh leaf, and
mean to stay, and try to do my duty
by You and father. l never forgot your
teachings while was away, and, by the
blessing of God, they preserved me from
many snares to which 1 was exposed.
can never feel too thankful to you, moth
er, for the kind advice you always gave
me, for see now how wise it was. But
where is tather?''
ale is out in the barn, threshing. Sit
still he'll be in, presently" said his
mother.
mo, would rather go and speak to
him alone. You know l can find my
way" he added. laughing.
When he reached the barn, he gently |
opened the door and looked in. The
farmer gazed at him for minute, and
then said. in a gruff voice.
"What might you want here 2"
Don't you know me ?" said Charles |
into the barn.
"KnOw you ?" said the farmer. SHOW
should know you? I've never seen you
before, TO my knowledge"
''Do you forget your runaway SOM"
inquired Charles, taking few steps to-
ward his father.
Instantly Mr.. Maynard threw down
his fail with which he had been beating
out the ripe grain, and hurrying to his |
son, clasped him i'm his arms, exclaim-
ing
sim so glad you're come back, Charlie.
was afraid you never would, and [ new
err can forgive myself for the harsh way |
treated you before you went away. l
won't act so again with the help OF God
II did very wrong to run away" said
Charles, penitently, "and / hope you'll
forgive me-"
':indeed, will forgive you, if there is
lnything to be forgiven" said his father,
But come, let us go into
he house, and We can hear all about your
If ever there was happy household,
was Farmer Maynard's OH that mem
rable evening. AT ter a bountiful sup
Ter such as poor Charles had not tasted
ince the time of his leaving home), they {
IL knelt down and returned thanks tor {
he return for. the long absent sou and
rother, and each member of the family
cit that load of sorrow had been lifted |
rom their hearts. and joy infused into Z
neir inmust souls.