The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-06-11

Z
brother, however, saw fit to claim it for him
self, and several times to exercise privilege
Of managing and using Black Nell, notw1th-
standing what Frank considered his prerog-
ative. On one of these occasions a hot dis
pute arose, and, after much angry blood. it
was referred to the farmer for settlement
He decided in favor of Richard and added
harsh lecture to his other son. The farmer
was really unjust and Wild Franks face
paled with rage and modification. That fu-
riOus temper which he had never been taught
to curb, now swelled like an overf1owing tor
rent With difficulty restraining the exhibit
tiOn of his passions, as soon as he got by
himself he swOre that not another sun should
roll by and find him under that roof In the
night he silently rose, and, turning his back
on what he thought an inhoSpitable home, in
mood in which child should never leave the
parental roof, bent his steps toward the city.
1t may well be imagined that alarm and
1 grief pervaded the whole of the family, on
! discovering Franks departure And as week
| after week melted away and brought no It'd
/ inGs of him, his poor mothers heart grew
wearier and wearier. She spoke not much,
1 but was evidently sick in spirit Nearly two
y
/ the incidents at the commencement Of this
story, the farmers family were joyfully sur
/ prised by receiving letter from the long
absent son. He had been to sea, and was
/ then in New York, at which port his vessel
was just arrived. He wrote in gay strain;
/ appeared to have lost the angry feeling which
caused his flight from home and said that
/ he heard in the city that Richard had mar
ried, and settled several miles from home,
/ where he wished him al! good luck and hap
/ piness. Wild Frank wound up his letter by
promising, as soon as he could get through
/ the imperative business of his ship, to pay a
visit to his home and native place. On Tues
/ day of the succeeding week, he said he would
/ be with them.
Within half an hour after the departure of
/ Old Joe. the form of that ancient parsonage
was seen slowly wheeling round the locust
tree at the end of the lane accompanied by a
stout young man in primitive homespun ap-
parel. The meeting between Wild Frank
and his brother Richard was hardly Of that
kind which generally takes place between
persons so closely related neither could it
be called distant nor cool. Richard pressed
his brother to go with him to the farmhouse,
and refresh and repose himself for some
hours at least, but Frank declined.
They will all expect me at home this af-
I ternoon, " he said. 4 wIote to them 1 would
be there to-day"
But YOU must be very tired, Frank" re-
( Joined the other won't YOU let some Of US
harness up and carry you? Orif you like
he stopped moment, and a trifing sufusion
spread over his face cor If you like, I'll put
the saddle on Black Nell-shes here at my
place now, and you can ride home ike a
lord
Franks face colored little, too. He
paused for moment in thought-he was
really foot-sore and exhausted with his Jour
ney that hot day,-sO he accepted his broth
er's offer.
"You know the speed OF Nellas well as I, .
said Richard "Ill warrant when bring her
here you'll say she's in as good order as ever. -
So telling him to amuse himself for few
minutes as well as he could, Richard left the
tavern
Could it be that Black Nell knew her old
master? She neghed, and rubbed her nose
on his shoulder, and as he put his foot in the
stirrup and rose or her back, it was evident
that they were both highly pleased with the
meeting. Bidding his brother farewell, and
not forgetting Old Joe, the young man set
forth on his journey for his fathers house
As he left the village behind, and came upon
the long, menOtonous road before him, hi,
mind began to mediate OH the reception ht
should meet with He thought on the cir
cumstances of his leaving home and Il,
thought, too, on his course of life, how it wa:
being frittered away and lost. Very gentl,
influences came over Wild Franks nature
then, for he yearned to show his parents that
he was sorry for the trouble he had costthem
He blamed himself for his former folies, and
even felt remorse that he bad not acted more
kindly to Richard and gone to his house.
Oh, it had been a sad mistake of the farmer
that he did not teach his children to love ont
another. 1t was foolish thing that he prideC
himself on, of governing his little flock well
when sweet affection, gentle forbearancc
and brotherly faith, were almost unknown
among them.
: The day was now advanced, though tht
heat poured down with strength little les
oppressive than at noon. Frank had accom-
plshed the greater part OF his journey h
was within three miles of his home. Th
road here led over high, tiresome hill, ant
he determined to stop OH the top Of i ant
, rest himself, as well as give the animal h
rode a few minutes breath How well h
knew the place And that mighty oak
standing Just outside the fence on the YER
summit of the hill, often had he reposed un
der its shade. 1t would be pleasant for
, few minutes to stretch his limbs there again
as of old, he thought to himself, and he dis
mounted from the saddle and led Black Ne
under the tree Mindful of the comfort o
his favoTite, he took from his little bundle
, which he had strapped behind him on tn
mares back, a piece of small, strong cord
four or five yards in length, which he tied
. the bride, and wound an l tied the other end
, for security, round his wrist then throwin
: himself at fulllength upon the ground, Blacl
Nell was at liberty to Craze around him
without danger of straying away.
1t was calm scene, and a pleasant one
7 There was no rude sound--hardly even
t chrping insect-to break the sleepy silenc
5 of the place. The atmosphere had a dir
: hazy cast, and was impregnated with oyel
, powering heat. The young man lay ther
: minute after minute, as time glided ava
unnoticed Cor he was very tired, and his r,
| pose was sweet TO him Occasionally i
I raised himself and cast a listless look at tn
: distant landscape, veiled as it was by Il
2 slight mist. At length his repose was witt
: out such interruption. His eyes closed, an
though at first they opened lauguidly agai
e at intervals, after while they shut altogetl
er. Could it be that he slept? 1t was S