The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-08-16
Tho Rrothof's Return.

1t was a stormy night. Farmer Gowland
and his wife sat before their great fireplace
together The boys had gone out with the
servant to see to the cattle, and husband and
wife were alone.
The farmer was stout, sturdy, middle
aged man, with handsome face, which
one would have called merry but tonight
as he looked into the embcrs a change came
over him, which only his wife knew, and
he put out his hand to her rs If for COM
fort.
"Elsic, he said, "you know how l suf-
fer when storm like this breaks over tho
valley. If live to be fifty years older
than am 1t will always be 80. When Jack
went away the wind moancd In the trees as
it does now, and when he opened the door
the rain beat it and swept across the floor,
and saw the zigzag lightning darting over
the black hills Yes, he went away in a
storm, lass, and let him go-pcnniless and
afoot-in storm like this. ! should have
remembered that he was my younger
brother; that he had not a penny, while all
this place was mine. You were but child
then, u flaxcn-harcd lassic of twelve, and
I was man of five and twenty and he nine
tccn We were both in love with one
young woman, Mamie Conner. Wcquar-
| relied about her. She was an arch coquette,
and led us Oh, laughing in her sleeve, and
she betrothed to the rich squirc's son all the
while. But we brothers fought about her,
and saw him 90 out into the storm. I
| know the poor lad was so helpless, 80 ILL
fitted to fight with life. We had not much
education, and my father bade me share all
with him on his death-bcd. l was the cid
est son and let him 60. Lassc, l think
old Beau here knew it and hated me for it
for years. Beau loved Jack So"
"But Beau loves you now" said the wife.
''Hcrc, Beau, here, come and speak to your
MASTER"
At these words an old dog perfectly blind
and weak with age, crawled from beneath a
tall s6ttee and felt his way to his masters
side.
The farmer let his hand fall on his head,
and the dog thrust his nose into the great
brown palm.
'''Beau cannot live long now, wife," said
the farmer, sadly. "Hc is a very old dog
now. The oldest dog ever knew and he
Is failing every day"
'Beau will not die yet, father" cried a
CHEEKY voice at the door. ellis hearing is
good, though his sight is gone; but I've
something to say. When we went down
to the barn to sec all safe, Will and Ned
and 1, we found an old man lying there
upon tho hay. He seems very III and fee.
BILE, and lie begged that he would let hin,
sleep there. But knew you and mother
would not permit 1t, and ! asked him into
tho house and he said in way that
brought tears TO my eyes 'tNo, lad, no
not unless hc bids Inc himself. III not On.
ter his house unless he takes me by tho
hand, and says, "Como in" His house II
his own, and am only poor wanderer..
SO came to you, father"
"Right, laddie, said the farmer. "Wife
we've always room at our table for another
ch7 I'll come out and ask the old fellow
Iin." a #g
"Yes-yes, Robin" replied the wife
and turned her attention to the hot suppe
just now being dishcd for the hungry party
"No, Beau; lie down. It's no tramp, blu
a good, we'll deserving Christian, no doubt
Why do you wine 40 2"
d But Beau was not to be calned. He hat
entitled his way TO the door, and stood there
! with his head bent down, u..ering Low