The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-11-23
A JOYFUL REUNION.


Simeon Brown stood in the doorway o
his fathers kitchen in the early dawn of ,
fair May morning; his face shorn of all it
wonted joyousness, like an autumnal for
est when the leaves have gone down behint
the bleak, gray hills.
I've got to 60, mother" he said, at last
addressing middle-aged woman who stoo,
folding a small parcel before the Clearly
secured dresser, land may as well go a
once-come, say good byeW
Yes, you've got to go, an it'll breal
your old mothers heart, Simeon, an brint
down her gray hairs in sorrow to th'
grave" she answered, in petulant, griev
ing voice, as she put down the parcel anC
came and stood beside him.
No, mother, no-don't talk So" he said
soothingly, "yOu know Pm Obliged to go
it'll be the best for us alive can't get OF
if we stay here"
you've got above your old home am you
old mother, am now"
Lisbeth,"
The voice of her husband silenced hel
1uerulous complaining, but, she put hel
apron to her eyes and rocked herself tc
and fro in the abandonment of utter de
spair.
II shan't be gone long," continued Sim.
con, his voice trembling in spite of all his
efforts to steady it, "not more than two
years at the farthest, and then We'll all
go, and have a nice little home together
and you shall call your last days your best
ones"
Her face frightened up little, but she
asked, half in hope, half in fear:
But if you fail, Simeon-if you fail
what them"
A sudden shadow dashed out the sun.
light from his brave, young face, but it re-
turned again in an instant, and his broad
nh Al
his bronzed wrists worked visibly as he
replied:
al shall not fail, mother!"
His strong faith somewhat treasured her,
and she looked up almost cheerfully.
swell, may be you won't, Simeon-I
hope so, at any rate-you always was a
good boy, an trust the Lord I'll help you.'
81 trust so, mother; the suns most up;
must be off: take care of yourself while
Pm gone: good-bye"
Goodbye, Simeon, goodbye, my good
boy-that never gave his old mother a
cross word, or caused her moments
trouble in his life-God bless you.''
He held her in his arms for q moment,
and then turned to his father.
Goodbye, father; do the best you can
until 1 return"
.'Good-bye, my son-God's blessing go
with you"
''Here, Simeon, stop a moment" called
IT.
'Pd most forgot 'em, an | made 'em on
purpose for you-some o. the seed cakes
you always liked so we'll; think of your
old mother when you eat 'em.
Simeon dropped the little package into
his pocket, drew his hat over his eyes, and
stepped out
Faith Hunter, his foSter-sister, was wait
ing him in the yard.
"'d going down a little piece with YOU,
Simeon" she said, $50 you needn't bid
me goodbye"
He drew her hand through his arm, and
they walked on side by side, down the
winding pathway, the 'dewy pastures and
browsing kline around them, and over
head the crystal heavens emblazoned with
the saffron dawn-tints of the opening day,
she, waiting for him to speak first, and he
irresolute as to what he should say.
There was, in his heart, great tide of
feeling, which had been steadily deepen
ing and gaining strength, ever since win
ter night sixteen years before, when his
mother came home from the death-bed of
friendless widow, bringing with her lit
tie, helpless babe, and told him that she
was to be, from henceforth and forever,
his sister. And she had been, and even
more than a sister, perhaps, if such a thing
be possible. Side by side thew trod the
fowery paths of childhood, sharing every
pleasure and pain, and joy and sorrow, al
most the same existence; hand-in-hand
they entered upon an untried road of
youthful anticipation; but now they were
about to separate, and all the mighty love,
which had grown up in the youths heart,
and strengthened with his strength, was
struggling fiercely for escape, but he reso-
lutely kept it back. No matter if that tim
i'd little girl at his side was dearer to him
than all the rest of the world, than his own
life, even, he must not speak TO her then
She was nothing but child, and he had
no home, no MISUNDERSTANDING but his
strong hands and brave young heart to Of
fer her. Yet. how could he leave her, how
could he go away, without some slight
assurance that he would not be quite for
gotten:
His love was great and strong, and en-
twined itself about its object with an I'M
yielding clasp that could not be torn away
without almost uprooting life itself; he
knew and felt it, and trembled at the bare
possibility of being forgotten.
"Faith," he said, at last, making an eff
fort to steady his voice, ''do you know that
am sorrier 10 leave You than any one else,
not even mother excepted?"
"Are you, Simeon:n she asked. inpo-
Gently, uplifting her trustful eyes to his
face.
"Yes, am, Faith, and want to know If
you'll quite forget me when Pm gone
away"
"Why, how could 1, Simeon, when you,ve
been so good and kind to me? No, indeed.
L shall never forget your
Sand you will be glad to see me when 1
come back, Faith?"
"Why, to be sure, Simeon; what makes
you ask"
because 1 want to know-you're sure
you'll be glad?"
every sure, Simeon"
''Very. well; shall be back in a year or
so, and l shall expect you to keep your
promise"
81 shall keep it-and you've given me SO
much. so many little things, that want TO
give you something, and I've nothing else
but this, Simeon, and think of me when
you read it"
His strong hand trembled as he unfolded
the little package. 1t was a pretty, deli |
cate thing, daintily bound in morocco, with |
a silver clasp, inscribed with the simple |
word, Faith" His eyes filled with tears |
as be looked at it.
II don't know how to thank you for this, |
Faith-why, it almost seems like carrying |
you with me, since it's got your name on |
it. III read it every day, and always keep |
Il here, Faith. % he said. TREMENDOUSLY, drop
ping n IN his breast-pocket and buttoning |
up ms coat, as If he wanted it close to his |
heart
:, By this time they had reached the gate
the Old red gate upon which they had /
swung together q thousand. times Il, their 4
happy childhood.
IT must 60 back npsy. SimoonH sa;d