The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-02-15
The Wanderers s Return,

= Inc Wanderer S Relurq.
Patter, patter, came the rain, steadily
heavily. "Oh, what dreary day it isl
said Lottie Maynard, as she looked ur
from her sewing, and gazed out of the
window of the old farmhouse where she
) resided.
"Dreary enough" replied her mothers
in CHEEKY voice, although her spirit
were evidently depressed by the gloom;
but hope itmay clear up before night
/, fall"
81 hope so too," said Lottie, L" for you
know. mother, l 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 go, you
must not feel dissatisfied, but be thankful
that you have 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 refugee"
81 wonder where poor Charlie is to-
night?" said Lottie, sorrowfully.
"God only knows" replied the mother.
drawing a deep sigh; but trust His
sheltering arms are around him, wher-
ever he may be. 1t is almost three years
now since he went away"
"Oh. | remember it all so WELL" 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 if he was sick (for he never needed
calling; and when l opened his door he
was nowhere to be seen"
"He was thoug htless, wayward boy,'
said the mother, tears starting into her
eyes, "but he was ever kind and affec-
tionate toward his mother, and l am
afraid your father was rather too stern
with him."
"Do you think he will ever come back?"
said Lottie, in an earnest voice. "Oh,
how very glad We should all be to see
him again; and am sure father would
rejoice at his return
81 am always hoping and praying
that he may return to be blessing to us
all yet" 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 conferred in
him. Then, again, hope whispers that
he yet lives, and will gladden. our hearts
again with his presence. And oh! what
q sweet thought it is trust this trial
may be blessed to us all for Gods ways
are not as our ways you know. 1t looks
very dark now but light may dawn upon
US, and fill our hearts with joy"
"He is quite young man now," said
Lottie, meditatively. o
"Yes," said her mother, " and age
and experience often brings 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 window-panes, and
the wind whistled around the snug dwell
ling, making them realize the comforts
by which they were surrounded. They
thought of the dear one far away, and
Wondered whether he was shielded from
the pitiless storms land, above all, wheth-
er he was safe from the many tempta-
tions 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
ooh, mother do look at that poor
man walking in the middle of the road.
He must be drenched to the skin. l
wonder why he is out on such dread
full day. Where can he be going2"
perhaps he is on his way to some
farmhouse to try and procure work" :"
said her mother.
"He's 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 a low bow to Lottie, and said
in beseeching tone,-
"It'sa very cold, wet day. Would you
please allow me to warm myself by your
fire few minutes2"
Mrs. Maynard was not the woman to