Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1878-03-01

llsst 10 the west coast of SDni6 "
/ and back, and now think
down On land, for IN sbniI
lowing the sea. It's i kzf2 1,
YOU re treated most Ike ii
sItssa hard life, you So fs
MsSnard. sadly (sl1e was Cd n
absent boz. II suppose q sn
ldeFints. YOU never mei VIII .
man b7 tie name q Chszl3A
-. "a .ehsfIss l. Msshass Chat
nsrd z slowly fepesl - -, :. - s +
! hisn<elE Why. to be sis.aiadlss = Il
sailed n - sesze - ase' - .seTs
raI hiAe II eizea heard ase1t n
his good mother. are you any relation
to hirus nss an ~ - fksssk
"I'm bis own mother. He's my only
son ~ cried Mrs. Maynard, the tears
gushing into her eyes, aud staring tc
her ieet, she advanced TOW ard the sail.
OF. "Oh, tell me where did you see
him lasti Where Is he now my poor
poor bnyis viii he soon come home i''
The stranger covered bis face with
his hand. while q deep sob heased
has manly bosom. Then, uneoseFins
bis face, the big tears rolling dewn his
cheeks, he looked uPs and said soft
w. as
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 on his swarthy face, and
amid the exclamations Of joy from her
self 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 subsided, my beard has
grown so unusually for one of my age,
and my face is so burnt by being in the
tropics, that / thought would practise
little piece of desception, and il
worked, as ] expected, to q charm"
"Your face and voice seemed strange
ly unfamiliar 10 me-" said his mother,
duntil you uttered those magic works,
Mother don't you know your boy
Then the tone seemed to thrill me as OF
DID,. felt sue 1t was indeed my long
lost son." ss
r"Iwas sadly afraid LottIe would dis
cover the trick," F" said Charles, laughing.
'sShe looked, at me so s:eadfastly."
.I hadn't the least idea who you
were" replied his sister. 81 was
thinking what a hard lot yours was"
''I hope you viii never leave us
again." said Mrs. Maynard, anxious
ly.
No, mother ny mind iy S;saas. Sss.s. '',,p 10
that. I've turned oyeka lad hty sisd
I mean to stay, and try to do lsg duty
by you and father. / never forgot your
teachings while | was away and, by the
blessings of God, they preserved me
from many snares to which was ex-
posed. / can never feel too thankful
to you, mother, for the kind advice you
always gave me, for see now how
wise il was. But where Is father!'
"He is out in the barn, threshing-
Sit still; he II be in presently" said bis
mother.
mo I would rather go and speak to
hIm alone. You know can find my
way" he added, laughing.
When he reached the barn, he gent
Iy opened the door and looked in. The
farmer gazed at him for minute.. and
then said, in gruf voice.
"What might you want here 20
'"Don't you know me 7" said Charles
advancing into the barn.
KNOW you I" said the farmer
Chow should know your I've neyel
seen you before, TO my knowledge.
"Do You forget yolit runaway son =!
inquired Charles, taking few steps to-
wards bis father.
Instantly Mr.. Maynard threw dowr
his fail with which he had been beating
It the ripe grain, and hurrying to hi'
y, clasped him in bis arms, -exclaim
k-nyrgf -Enfs4 - .H sBk
FIN 50 glad you're come back, Char
wsl was afraid you ever would, ana
never caf forgive myselffoF the harsl
way / treated you before yon wen
kway. won't act so again, with the
help of God" -
II did very wrong TO ruin away" said
D Charles. penitently, "andI hope you'll
y Drgive me-"
'Indeed. / win forgive you. if there
5 anything to be forgiven, I" said bis faith.
sr, aifeetionately. 'Bnt come, let u
70 into the house, and we can hear al
'iiboht your wanderiDgs."
III ever there was happy household
iii was Farmer Maynard's on that mem.
iorable evening. After bonnsiful sup
per [such as poor Charles had not tasted
since the time Of his leaving home. } the,
al kneIt down and returned thanks fol
the return OF the iong-absent son. and
brother, and each member of the fsmi,
" felt that load OF sorrow had beer
lifted from their. hearts, and Joy infuset
into sheir inmcst souls.