Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-04-14

A sort of joy choked the voice of Petro.
nilla SIS she read the singular epistle aloud
to Mr.. Washburn.
"But who is this Lansing? Another
fraud, it is likely" exclaimed the old man,
not daring to believe turn in his fortunes
to be possible.
perhaps not, Uncle Joe; we mustn't
give up in that way, for l do not believe
| God has forsaken us" exclaimed Pet,
stroking the silver gray locks of her bene.
| factor.
"That's so, child. At any rate, this
Lansing can't do any worse by us than
Hoskins will, and we might as well accept
his aid, if he has any to offer.
So it was settled.
Within week civil suit in the Courts
began, when Deacon Washburn was not
able to attend.
But he learned that Lansing, the lawyer
who had volunteered his aid, was brill.
liant young man, and that Albert Hoskins
dared not push his claims after the attor.
ney had presented the other side of the
case.
The claimant seemed to stand greatly in
fear Of his opponent, and Iumor was cir.
culated that Hoskins was guilty of numer.
GUS crooked transactions, of which the
young lawyer threatened to convict him.
So, after a single days trial, the case
was decided, and Deacon Washburn's title
to his hard-earned possessions pronounced
genuine.
Early in the evening after the trial a
knock sounded upon the door of the Wash.
| burn cottage.
Pa Ia ! L.
door open wide.
a tall, dark. bearded stranger crossed the
threshold, and a pair Of handsome eyes
looked down upon Petronilla.
She uttered little gasp, her cheeks
flushing slightly, and then becoming white
as death.
"It is-Ha,7y" she managed to articu-
late.
Yes, Pet. So you had not quite for
gotten the face OF the black sheep % re-
turned his deep, musical tones.
Forgotten you" terminating her ex-
clamat;on with little scream of Joy. Then
adding, in bewildered sort of way
8" But l supposed you were dead, and we
have been mourning for you all these years.
1t is really true, our Harry {"
The young man laughed, softly.
"No, did not perish in the great dis
aster upon the Hudson. though it was by
almost miracle that l escaped. The re.
port of my death was contradicted after.
ward, and had not supposed that you
read it l should have written it to you.
| saw an account of fathers misfortunes
in a newspaper, and thought it about
time for the black sheep to return and
redeem his reputation. So l wrote to
father, signing as Lansing. And l trust that
/ shall receive a welcome this time. |
have been very homesick for long time,
for l wanted to see mother, father, the
boys, and you, little Pet"
That was all he said to her then.
With a joyous light shining from her
eyes she led him into the cosy sitting
room.
Very gently they broke the news to Mr..
and Mrs. Washburn.
1t was hard for them to realize that this
handsome, bearded stranger could be their
Harry, who had left them six or seven
years ago.
And when they fully comprehended the
glorious truth, and that it was their brave,
talented Harry, who had come home to
them in their need and saved their hons
from the spoiler, they evinced their JOY in
way that left no doubt of perfect re-
Cancellation in the heart of the young man.
Harry's visit to the old home-nook was
prosracted one. And when he went back
to the city it was with the promise to re-
turn at frequent intervals.
His success in his chosen profession
was a brilliant one, and many were the
generous presents which he sent home to
his parents, who had grown to fairly
idolzs him.
He found more than two worshipers at
the old Washburn cottage.
Upon his next visit he said to shy, petite
Petronilla
"Why did You not marry some one, as
well as Charlie and Joe ?"
Because I couldn't bear to think of be-
ing happy with you gone" she answered.
Very gently he cIssped her in his arms,
and asked, with his brown beard close to
her face
"Can you think of being happy, now
that l have returned Remember, am
the one black sheep of the flock !"
He received her answer then. But it
was not until their wedding-day that the
world knew how we'll she loved Deacon
Washhurn's sc black sheen"