Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-11-12

The light had gone out in the strangers
cigar; he was looking once more toward
the family group, and just then Father
Bray called out:
"Willie, can't you prevail on our new
friend to pass the night with us,the tavern
is poor place at best?"
with all my heart" said the doctor al
can assure you mothers beds are an i'm
pEovement on the ones you will find al
our only hotel, and as for us, we are
always glad to see strange face, al
though we are quite u settlement among
ourselves"
DO you give every one such hearty
receptionP" asked the stranger. IF so,
| wonder how many ever try the landlords
beds?"
| cit is selfish in us, sir, said Mother
Bray; 1--WE are pleased with a guest to
entertain and more than that, hold it "a
command for all of us to use hospitality
without grudgng."
The stranger rose, touched his hat, and
said, ''you may never know how deeply
feel your Kindness"
| Mary and her husband had Just said
they must 60. for baby had fallen asleep
in grandpa's arms, when Ben came round
the coruer of the house, leading little Joe
by the hand.
I've helped do all your work, grand
pa" and the child stopped short and
glanced at the stranger, who was listening
to Uncle Willie.
Come here, Joey, come see this
gentleman; he can tell you wonderful
stories."
Joe walked slowly up to Uncle Will,
keeping his eyes fastened on the stranger;
at last he found himself nestled in the
doctors lap, where he sat looking at the
strange face.
My little man," said the stranger;
won't you sit in my lap? Uncle Will
has babies to love him, all these good
people have some one TO care for and pet
them, but / have not one person, in this
great world to love me tonight"
"Then WILL" said the child, and with
Il bound was in the strangers arms. The
gentlemen looked at each other and smiled.
The boy played with the strangers watch
guard, asked some questions about
strange charm upon it., and at last looking
the stranger full in the face he said, with
childish abruptness, I've seen you some
place before.''
Did you?" said the stranger; "whcre
could 1t have been, | never saw you be-
forew
"P'raps it was up TO the state fair" said
the child.
Think not, my man, have only been
in the state a few hours"
Joey dear, don't annoy the gentleman
with questions"
DO 'noy you?" quered joey
Mot PARTICLE said his new friend
81 know I've seed you some place" said
Joey confidently, or else you are just
like somebody somewhere"
Joey takes queer fancies in that head
of his sometimes" said Uncle Will
The stranger did not reply, but watched
the boy closely. joey said he. could
you remember who this somebody was if
| took my hat offP''
" P'raps so; do it," And the stranger
did, and still Joey looked puzzled. May
be dreamed about you," said joey.
Joey's father was busy just then, telling
the family group about new pump he
proposed trying, and no one observed
Uncle Will, the stranger and little Joe.
o,'cI "JoeYyn eYy,ncS said bis new friend with
your somebody now?" and the stranger
brushed his wavy locks away from his
broad, full forehead. The child gave one
long, searching look, and then reaching
up nearer the strangers ear whispered,
"you look just like Uncle Joe's picture, is
youP"
Yes, darling" he answered in husky
voice, "your own wandering Uncle Joe
come at last"
DR.. Will sprang to his feet. He never
knew what became of that superior ci-
gar" but sezing his brothers hand he
led him into the group saying, Father,
mother, here's the best present you ever
had here is our dear old Joe, God bless
him."
Mother Bray kissed the dear child !"
as she had done twelve years before. Fa-
ther wept like child over his precious
boy" and brothers and sisters whirled
about him-hugged him, kissed him and
shook him until he threw himself on the
grass quite exhausted, where he was join
ed by little Joe, who declared, "he is
mine, anyhow, for fnded him first"
The children were allowed to sit up an
hour later than usual, and their parents
asked so many questions of ~ Mr. DO
sephs that he insisted upon it, they
attacked him as fercely as the mosquitoes
in India.
How about those specimens, you ras-
cal? asked DR.. Will, giving him in atlec-
!, tionate pinch.
II was looking for specimens of the
human heart" said Joe gravely, land l
, found rare precious ones"
l How could you see us all and keep
still?" said Ben.
:" nearly broke down. he answered,
when | went into the old dining-room,
7 and saw mother, but she did not see her
baby in the rough man; and then, when
n you all came in, nothing but that cigar
, kept me from playing the baby: and
4 came near dropping that, when Will was
e telling what he would give 20 see his
brother once more"
: The doctor responded 10 this with a
/ hearty shake of the hand.
: 81 think, children" said Father Bray
}. 1--WE had better walk into the sitting room
and say few words to Friend that has
| been very good to us all, especially tC
q mother and l."
And they went in, the old man leaning
It on Joe's arm. After prayers came the
!; good nights, so very hard to say, wher
a each had so much to hear and tell. Viii
declared "he had half mind to give al
e his patients the slip for one night, and try
Y his old quarters with Joe," and Joe hearth
ly wished he would, and asked if the shet
d roof still came under the window, so ht
IS could steal out and help himself to melon!
s as in the old daysP 6 Better stay, Will
e | have thousands of things TO tell you."
But Wills pretty wife looked sober, ant
II mother knew they would talk all night, Sc
g she said, mo, they must all 60 hom'
+ now, and return, even the wee baby, t.
l. take breakfast with Joe next morning; i
" should be grand holiday for old ant
+ young"
q "All right, old fellow" said Sam; " &c
d your pipes in order for Il good day of talk
10 ing" Good night, good night, good night
t. sounded on all sides of happy Joe.
|, When the door had closed after them
s he took up his lamp, saying: Come VI
d for our little talk. mother, or l shall no
% realize that l am home again-but no, you
precious woman, you must not; you ar'
o too old for that now"
"A woman is never too old to tend he
o baby, joey, if he is bearded man