Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-12-23


with quakering voice, "my ship was
wrecked year and half ago on the West
coast of Africa; l reached the s ore, only
to fall sick of fever, through which my
cabin-boy nursed me; for long time
was too weak to move; finally, by slow
stages. we made our way to Benguela;
there we waited months for vessel and,
to make long story short, I reached Bos-
ton this morning. / went to the rouse
that was mine two years ago, and found 1t
occupied by another family--sold under
mortgage. they said. They could not tell
me where should find my wife and chill
dren. / went to the neighbors who knew
them; some of them had moved away,
others were out of town on their Christ
mas vacation. Of course, I shall find them
after little: but just where to look at
this moment don't know.
Mr.. TODD has listented TO this story with
. changing expression of countenance.
When his friend first mentioned the ship
wreck, sudden light of intelligence
sprang into his eye, and his lips opened,
but he quickly shut them again. He is
greatly interested in what he hears. but he
is not greatly panied by it. His friend
wonders whether Hal Todd has lost some
of the old manly tenderness Of the acade-
my days.
''Well, Brad Johnsohn,' he cries, draw
ing long breath, after the short recital is
ended, ''this is strange story. But, as
you say, this family OF yours can be found,
and shall be. Come with me. There is
police-st alton down this way.''
The two men walk on, arm-in.arm, in
the direction Of Denison street.
'How much is there of this missing
family ?" asked Mr.. Todd.
s'There is a wife and two children,-I
hope" answers the other. 1.-THE best wo-
man in the world. Hal. and two of the
brightest children. Sing like larks, both
OF 'em. Bless their hearts i" says the sal
lor, brushing away tear: II thought
should have 'em in my lap this Christmas
day, and it's tough to be hunting for 'em
in this blind fashion,
ut is tough,' says the lumberman,
choking little. He has stopped on the
side. walk, on Denison street. just opposite
Number 45 He lays his hand on his
friend s shoulder. ''Look here, Brad
Johnson he says, Eve are going to find
that wife ard those children pretty soon,
suspect. And you've got to keep cool.
Dye hear?"
what do you meanT' gasps the sailor.
The eye of Mr.. Halliburton Todd is qui-
city lifted to the window Of the second
story opposite. His friends eye follows,
and fall on the picture we saw there little
while ago,-the mother intent upon the
book, the children intent upon the mo-
TIERS face.
There is no cutlery, but the father lifts
his hands, as if to heaven, staggers a little,
and then plunges across the street. Mr.
Todd is after him, and siezes him by the
collar just as he reaches the foot of the
stairs
''Hold on, man - he says decisively.
"You mustn't rush in ON that woman in
this way. lou'd kill her. She's none too
strong. Wait here few minutes, and Ill
break it to her.''
sYou're right answers the father,
pressing his hands against his temples,
and steadying himself by the wall. But
you won't keep me waiting long, will
you ?''
Mr.. Halliburton Todd knocks at the
door, and is let in by Ben.
ooh, Mr.. Todd, how good you are
Thank you hundred thousand times!''
cry both the children at once.
"Well, I'm glad if you've enjoyed my
thinking that your good mother ought to
have little of the cheer Of this Christmas
as we'll as you.''
''Just what we said," answered Ben.
Mrs. johnson colors little, but before
she can speak, Mr.. TODD goes on. "Par-
don me, madam, but what your minister
told me yesterday of your affairs las led
me to take a deep interest in them. How
long is it since your husband left home p''
''More than two years. answers the Ia
dy.
''You have had no direct intelligence
from him since he went away p''
''None at all save the painful news of
the loss of his vessel. with all on board''
"Have you ever learned the full partic-
ulars of the shipwreck 9''
mo; how could ?" Mrs. johnson
turns suddenly pale.
''Be calm, beseech you, my dear lady.
did not suppose that you could have
heard. But met just now, in the street,
an old friend of mine-and of yours-who
knows good deal about it. And I want
to assure you, before he comes in, that
that the story as it reached you-was-was
considerably exaggerated, that is ALL Ex-
cuse me and I will send in my friend"
Mr.. Todd quickly withdraws. The color
comes and goes upon the mothers face
"Merciful Father" she cries, 'swhat does
it all mean ?"
She rises from the chair; the door that
Mr.. Todd has left ajar gently opens, and
quickly closes. We will not open it gain
just now. That place is too sacred for
prying eyes. 1t is great cry Of joy that
fills the ears and the eyes of MIR Halihur-
ton food, as he goes softly down the stairs
and walks away to the hotel.
An hour later, when the shock of the joy
is over little, and the explanations have
been made, and father and mother and
children are sitting for few moments 81
lent in a great peace, the nature of the
human boy begins to assert itself.
Isn't it," ventures Ben, timidly, as if
the words were a proclamation, ''isn't it
about time for dinner?"
"Indeed it is, my boy,'' answers his mo-
ther; land I'm afraid our dinner is spoil
ed. Open the oven door, Ruby
Ruby obeys, and finds the poor, forgot
ten chicken done to a cinflar .sNeuer