Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-10-10
syloMlh's Column.
THE YOUNG PRoDIGAL.

his grandchild Bessie, whose father and
mother we're dead, and who, with her
elder brother Jack. their grandfather
adopted.
But what had become of Jack Oh,
that is sad story; let US tell it in a
few words.
The cobbler was TOO poor to keep a
big boy like Jack in idleness, so he offer
ed to teach him his own trade, promising
that when he knew enough to be of real
service, he should share the profits, and
at last succeed to the business.
But Jack was an idle, disobedient,
selfish lad, and instead of doing his best
to please the old man, even If the work
were not quite to his taste, he would not
even try to learn and after causing his
grandfather many heart-ache and much
anxiety, he ran away from home one
night, carrying with him all the money
he could find 10 the till, and four new
pair of boots, which were to have been
sent to the customers next morning.
1t was terrible blow to poor Jacob
to loose the boy in this way, and little
Bessie almost made herself i'll crying for
her brother. But at last, as time went
on. the cobbler's sorrow changed to a
bitter feeling against the ungrateful lad,
and he resolved that, come what ght,
he would never receive him again, even
should the truant return, and entreat
him to do so.
AS for Bessie, she did not forget her
brother, and not being old enough to
enter into her grandfather's feelings,
she looked forward confidently to Jacks
return some day.
One of Bessie's great delights was to
stand or sit by the cobbler as he work
ed, and listen to the old man telling
stories. In his younger days he had
read a good deal, and had seen some
thing of life beside; and he liked moth
ing better than to put his recollections
of books. or his own personal experience
es, into simple words for the pleasure
and profit of his little Bessie, whom he
loved very dearly.
Perhaps of all the stories told by old
Jacob Kendall, there were none that so
pleased the child, or that she liked to
hear so often, as the narrative contained
in the best of books. The Bible had
ever been the cobbler's faVorite volume,
and before Bessie was five years old, she
knew all the beautiful histories of the
Old Testament almost by heart.
But even better than these, Bessie
loved the Gospel stories. She was never
weary of hearing of Christ's birth. Of
the star, and the wise men. the angels
and the shepherds; then of his wonder
full acts as he grew up; his words Of
love, his tenderness for little children
The parallels were her delight; anc
sometimes the old cobbler would be fairly
puzzled at the questions she asked, anC
at the anxiety she showed to understand
the meaning of the words.
Bessie was especially fond of the par
able of the prodigal, and had often crie(
over the younger sons suffering ant
bitter repentance, and his fathers Low
ing welcome home.
The mouths passed quickly, and Bes
sic and her grandfather lived the sam
quiet happy life, and nothing hithert
had been heard of Jack.
But one stormy night in March, whe
little Bessie was asleep and old Jaco
was sitting in the workshop trying t
complete a pair of shoes which wer
wanted on the morrow, there came
timid tap at the door which faced tn
street.
Jacob, wondering who could be calm
so late, rose from his seat and lifted tt
latch.
There, on the doorstep, was La
tall, but gaunt and pale. Scarcely CO
cred with the shreds and tatters of g
old coat, he stood there shivering al
shrinking in the keen east wind, b
teeth chattering. and his lips blue Wi
cold.
"What do you want?" said Jacob.
The great, dark, hungry eyes gaz
full into his, and with great effort t
lad just managed to say, "Oh. gran
father don't you know me? L
Jack -
"Jack !" The old man stood agha
He looked at the tattered figure befc
him, and thought of all the grief a
suffering which this boy had broug
upon him, and of his resolution never
have anything more to do with hil
and thus thinking, his heart harden
against the lad, and he replied coldly
"Look here. Jack-if you're Jack
deed-you made your free choice ono
you were idle and disobedient, and
last thief and runaway; and I me-
up my mind that if ever you came ba
I'd have no more to do with You, and
mean to keep my word
"But. grandfather, I'm sorry; | kr
I've done wrong and L"