Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1878-12-17
.fnrk WANDERERS BROUGHT HOME.
A STORY FOR THE SEASON.

A A STORY FOR THE SEASON.
1t lacked just two days of Thanksgiving,
and wretched day it was. The weather,
instead OF assuming the brisk crispiness
consistent With pumpkin pies and roast
turkey, got into sullen fit, and steadily
Mept tears OF the most discouraging sort.
The cold dampness permeated everything,
even mems brains and tempers. to say
nothing of rheumatic joints, which set IN
an aching protest against the very name
OF the approaching festival, and filled the
air with spirit of growl giving, instead
OF the proper sentiment expected ola God,
fearing community. ve
The school room, with its rows of EMMY
seats growing indistinct in the fading
light, seemed a weak imitation of tbe
dreariness outside. But there was one
point OF high light that instinctively drew
the eyes to its surroundings, that point
being caused by two white hands and
wrists surrounded by snowy cuffs
Further scrutiny revealed the figure of a
woman sitting by the table on the plat
iorm; the lace was hidden by the two
hands, the fingers losing themselves in
the masses of dark hair above the fore
nead; the elbows rested on the table. and
the figsHe stirred not.
Sixty pairs of restless, childish feet had
passed out through the door homeward.
oihce lhelr departure the register had
peeh posted, reports made, and now that
everything was done, the tired ewes
closed, ana the throbbing head dropped
Wearlly into the cold hands that pressed
80 gratefully against it. Yes, the sixty
paifs OF nqulsltIve searching eyes had
uepafIeu also, and she could bow her
heao on the table, and even cry little if
sue Wlshed' and after having every muscle
OF ones countenance under the closest
surveillance all day, that was ouite a
luxury. But the little school teacher was
700 strea,to even weep; she just pressed
her hands hard against her brows and
thought of-nothing. After a time imaoes
came crowding in unbidden. Foremost
OF all was frank, boyish face, with merry
brown eyes and coaxing smile; but the
merry eyes saddened and the face became
crave, ana Jennie shuddered as she won
dered ifit had grown hard and had.
The face that SO haunted her was that
Of dear and only brother, gone now for
eight years, and no one knew where. his
name mad ceased to be spoken among
lhenl, Dut MS memory was never absent
ron her heart at least. There had never
been put Two OF them, Jeannie and Fred,
the children of parents now both old. old
before their time; for poverty and trouble
hao aged them both. JEANNE, the
younger, graduated from the city High
school and went back to her country
home to help carry the load of domestic
affairs ''-0
Fred, five years her senior, was inclined
to be wild and reckless; his yielding ma
lure made MN prey to others far worse
tnan himself. There was nothing really
VICIOUS and low about the young man
but Nathan Hulett, nurtured in stern
creed. had imbibed it in every fibre: as
ms honesty Was strict and unfiinching' so
was his judgment of Others and small
charity Or tolerance had he for the nee
cadlllos OF his son. Kind hearted and
generous, with certain love of refine
ment, In spite OF his recklessness, he. of
course, was loved and defended by the
mother and sister, especially the latter.
Ihings, however, finally came to an
open rupture and the young man left the
Old homestead for the great unknown
world. Nathan Hulett forbade his wife
and daughter to answer the letters that
came occasionally to them. s.He has for
feited all claim TO our affection, . he said
better forget him as he will us. After
While the letters ceased altogether and
now they never spoke his name. After
the sons departure, for long time the
father had sbeen unable to attend n the
I farn duties, and mismanagement added
to the inroads made by the prodigal. had
finally brought poverty to the very door
JEANNE obtained situation as teacher in
one Of the public schools in the City of
-,-distant about fifty miles, and went
there to teach. The old people still lived
In the homestead, the broad fields were no
longer theirs, but there was little piece
oil ground which was carefully cultivated
as garden. Jeannie had been their sole
support for five years, five toilsome un
eyentful years, frightened little by
visits TO the old home during vacations.
the remainder of the time divided between
the little room up stairs at Mrs. Cribbins'
and the four walls of the school room
JEANNE hadsvery few acquaintance; she
came stranger! tot the city, and the
charmed circle of culture and refinement
which She would. have enjoyed and
graced, did not trouble itselfto search ont
the little school teacher who dressed
plainly and lodged at cheap boarding
house.