Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-03-09
THE wANDEnEs's RETURN.

Remember you've nothing TO risk, boys,
Don't be IN hurry 10 go!
THE wANDEREK's RETURN.
Patter, patter, came the rain. steadily
heavily. ''Oh. what a dreary day it is -
said Lottie Maynard, as she looked up
from her sewing. and gazed out of the
window of the old farmhouse where she
resided.
.Dreary enough" replied her mother,
in CHEEKY voice. although her spirits
were evidently depressed by the gloom
ssbut l hope it may clear up before night
fall"
Il hope so too," said Lottie, sfor YOU
know, mother, promised Emma Brown
would spend this evening with her. and
/ know she will feel so disappointed if
the rain prevents me from going.
well, my dear, If you cannot 90, you
must not feel dissatisfied, but be thank
full that you have a good home to shelter
you from the storm without. How many
poor creatures are exposed to its fury,
and perhaps have no home in. which to
take refuge?"
II worder where poor Charlie is TO-
Day ?" said Lottie. sorrowfully.
God Only knows" replied the mother.
drawing deep sigh; "but trust His
sheltering arms are around him.
wherever he may be. 1t is almost three
years now since he went away"
SOh, l remember it all so WE'LL" said
Iottie. "YOu know, mother, he did not
come down to his breakfast that morn
ing. and you sent me up to his room to
see ii he was sick for he never needed
calling); and when l opened his door he
was nowhere to be seen."
''He was thOughtless, hayward boy,"
sald the mother. tears starting into her
eyes, 'but he was ever kind and affec-
uonate toward his mother. and I am
afraid your father was rather too stern
with him."
do you think he will ever come back?-
SAID LOtrie, In an earnest voice. ssOb.
how very glad we should all be to See
him again; and am sure father would
rejoice at his return
Il am always hoping and praying that
ne may return TO be blessing to us all
yet,r said Mrs. Maynard. Often [ lie
awake great part of the night. think
ing about him. Sometimes / fear the
cruel sea has swallowed him up, and all
the fond hopes that were centered i'm
him. Then. again, hope whispers that
he yet lives, and will gladden. our hearts |
again with his resence. And OH what |
"a sweet thought it is / trust this trial
may be blessed to us all. for Gods ways
arc not as our ways you know. 1t looks
very dark now, but light may dawn upon
us. aud fill our hearts with JOY"
HE is quite young man now" said |
Lottie, meditatively
YES" said her mother. sand age and |
experienc often bring wisdom"
Silence reigned for awhile, for both |
mother and daughter seemed inclined to |
think rather than talk. The big drops |
of rain beat upon the windOx panes. and |
the wind whistled around the snug
dwelling, making them realize the com J
forts by which they were surrounded.
They thought of the dear one far away,
and wondered whether he was shielded
from the pitiless storms, and, above all,
whether he was safe from the many
temptations which beset the pathway of
the young and inexperienced when they
are out In the cold and unfeeling world.
away from the benign influence Of home
and friends.
Suddenly Lottie exclaimed:
'Oh. mother! do look at that poor
man walking in the middle of The road.
he must be drenched to the skin. WON
der why be is out on such n dreadful
day. Where can he be going?"
perhaps he is on his way to some
farmhouse to try and procure work."
said her mother.
Hes coming toward our gate. said
Lottie, ''and he's dressed like a sailor. /
wonder what he can want"
She watched him as he entered the
gate, and walked up the path to the
house. Then loud rap was heard at
the door, and she ran to open it. There
stood the poor man, the wet dripping
from his garments, and the cold wind |
beating the rain in his face.
He made low bow to Lottie, and said |
in beseeching tone:
Its very cold, wet day. Would you
please allow me to warm myself by your |
fire few minutes 2"
Mrs. Maynard was not the woman TO |
refuse so reasonable request, especially |
when 1t came from one who needed so |
very much what he asked. And since |
her son ran away to sea, her heart had |
always warmed toward the 'ssons of the
ocean," although it was rare SIGHT TO
see one in Their part of the country. and
consequently it did not lie often i'm her
power to befriend them. So when. this
poor wanderer came TO the door shiver.
ing with cold. and apparently so much
in need of warmth and refreshment. she
was not behindhand in her hospitality.
She told Lottie to set chair for him by
the glowing stove, and also to set out
some food on the table near him, of which |
he was cordially invited to partake.
After be appeared thoroughly warmed,
and bis hunger appeased, Mrs. Maynard |
turned to him, as be sat by the fire, with |
averted face, and inquired why he hap
pened to be out on such an inclemept
day.
"Why, you see, ma'am," said the |
stranger, In respectful voice, Il only |
landed at Philadelphia the other day.
I've Just returned from q long voyage,
and I'm on my way to see an old friend |
who lives some where on this road"
"Have you been long at sea?'' asked |
Mrs. Maynard.
swell, not more than three or four
years. I've made two voyages to China,
TWO or three to Europe, and this. last to
60 the west coast of South America and
back. and now think shall settle down
on land, for I'm about tired of following
the sea. It's hard life, and you're treat.
ed most like a dog"
sits hard life, you say ?" said Mrs. |
Maynard, sadly tshe was thinking of her
absent SOM. Il suppose, in your wander
ings, you never met with a young man
by the name of Charles Maynard. did
you 20
SCharles Maynard! Charles Maynard"
slowly repeated the stranger to himself. |
why to be sure did. He sailed in the |
same ship with me several times. ] often