Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-05-13
HILL. WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND. SATURDAY, MAY

NannorouSn nau suggested, ana JACK
had caught at the idea with eagerness.
"We might, Nell; think we can. I'll
try and borrow few hundred some
where"
"Oh, Jack, no, no y l sobbed out in
my remorse and despair. 81 won't go
to the sea-shore. You see how Ill baby
is. Oh, Jack, ask your father to let US
return home"
sob, You wouldn't be satisfied, Nell,
if we went back. 1t is dreadfully stupid
down there these summer days, with
the haymakipg and the reaping and all
that sort of thing. We should never be
able to endure it now"
| said no more. The long, bright,
burning days wore on, and our bills ran
up higher and higher, and baby's little
breath seemed to grow weaker and
weaker, and poor Jack himself began
to look dreadfully Ill and worn. And one
afternoon he was sent home in a car
riage, quite unconscious, stricken down
by sudden fever.
put my pride aside then, and wrote
letter to Jacks father.
"Jack and baby are both ILL., said,
"and we are sick and tired of this life.
Pray forgive us, and let us come
home"
The very next day the dear old gen.
| tleman arrived, but the sheriff was be-
fore him, Jack having confessed iuGg-
ment in a lawsuit. The rumor that we
intended to leave town got out, and our
creditors rushed in, anxious to secure
the lions share of our effects. The
Brussels carpets, the handsome furni-
ture, and costly brlc-a brac, all went
under the hammer at a disastrousiy low
figure.
Never mind" said my father-in-
law, not shadow of reproach on his
kind old face; "let them squabble over
it if they will. We must get our sick
ones home"
So we got Jack into the carriage, and
with his poor hot head upon my knee
and baby in my arms, turned my back
upon the scene of my short-lived
triumph.
eve are going back to Cherry Hill, y
said the old gentleman, as in the dusk
of the golden day we drove through the
dewy Stiffness of the sheltered land.
"The old home has been waiting for
you Ill IIieSe l. WAS pTCtJJ
sure you'd want TO come back.
l could not utter one word in answer
A great full moon was rising above the
distant hills as we reached the house.
Not the smallest thing was changed.
The great red roses bloomed on the ter
race, the bees droned in their hives, and
the cattle. bells tinkled in the barnyard
| The doors wide open. We carried Jack
in and laid him down in the broad
breezy room that had been our bridal
chamber.
He opened his eyes and drew a deep,
quivering breath as the freshening
breeze touched his throbbing head.
"Nell, where are You ?" he said.
"Surely this must he home?"
II am here, Jack" [ answered
through my tears land this is home,
dear-Old Cherry Hill"
fell back upon the pillows, aud | saw
great tears trickling slowly from beneath
his closed eyelids.
Beyond the open window, in the sill
yer glory of the rising moon. the old
grandfather sat, with baby at his feet,
half hidden in the rank cool grass, and
even at that late hour the pigeons came
futtering around her as of old, and she
screamed with rapture as she clutched
al them with her thin little hands.
| rose softly, and fell on my knees
beside Jacks low pillow.
"Oh. jack" sobbed. 81 have been
so wicked. Forgive me, Jack, forgive
me l am SO glad to be at home
again.
His worn face grew radiant and his
dear arms hello me close.
And then and there, clasped to nay
husbands heart, in the safe sweet shell
ter of the home he loved, I understood
all the past.
"You didn't mean it, jack" I whis-
pered. "You only pretended to enjoy
it all TO please me.
He smiled at me with his grave fond
eyes.
"And, oh Jack, our money is all gone,
and -
He silenced me with kiss.
''No matter, little woman the lesson
we have learned has been cheaply
bought. We shall not care to leave the
the safe old nest in search of fashion
and society again.
could not answer. Iheard my baby
cooling to the pigeons in the grass, and
sat there, clssped in Jacks forgiving
arms, the happiest woman the round
world held.