Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-12-04


when dinner time came, and he WAS
still absent, her fears were awakened,
and she noticed her husband cast un-
easy glances towards the door every
time it was opened. She put on her
bonr.et after dinner, and went directly
to the store. Mr.. Rapp was standing
at the door. i. 4.
Good evening, Mrs. Forrest!" he.
said. 'Where on earth is David to-'
day?" .sfs!>s #,.,. ....... J.! "A
Isn't he in the store?" she asked,
with her heart beating like a sledge-'
hammer.
Indeed, he ism t. He came in for a.
minute early this morning, and hand
ed me a ten-dollar bill, and mumbled
out something about having forgotten
to put it in tile till. couldn' make
out what he did say. He looked pale
and sick, and am sure ought to have
been in bed" x /,
Without a word Mrs. Forrest hur-
ried home.
"What did you say to him?" she
cried, passionately, to her husband
"You've been harsh and cruel to him,
| know, and now he'sgonc away, and
shall never, never seemy boy again!"
II told him what | said I would"
he answered, coldly. :: Zone more
chance Igave hun for amendment
Yes, told him he WAS disgrace, a
clinging disgrace. for Ididn't believehe
would reform. gave him some mon
ey to replace what he stole, and that
was all. l don't regret word l said.
Reproach your own weakness. It isn't
just to reproach me. Since he has
chosen to leave us, it is perhaps the
best thing he could do"
But though Mr.. Forrest spoke in
this manner, he spared neither money
nor labor to gain some tidings Of his
son. They traced him to q seaport
town, and then lost all trace as ut
terly as if the earth had closed over
him. AS months and years rolled by,
MIR. Forrest gave up expectation of
ever seeing him again, but the mother
hoped still. The father grew more
silent and sad. Time as itpassed had
taught him that he had erred in the
harshness and bitterness with which
he had treated his son, and he would
have liked to retract some OF his
words. Mlsfortunes, too, had pressed
upon him. His crops had failed three
years i'll succession, he had mortgaged
his farm in order that he might live;
and in a few days, there was to be
foreclosure ofthe mortgage, and the old
place must pass out OF his hands
"It's no use striving any longer,
Sarah,' he said, drearily; II do not
know where to look for help, and we
must submit and leave the old home
stead. Father was born here, IS we'll
as myself, and hoped to die IN the
house in which he died. Wen barely
have roof over us at Myron Cottage,
but at least it will be our own We
didn't think much of it when your
aunt left it to you, and now it's our
last refuge"
1T will outlast our time, James,"
she said, sadly. "There's no one to
come after US, unless David comes
| home"
Mr.. Forrest shook his head. Hehad
long ceased to combat what he said
Was his wife's monomania about the
return Of his son. She always insist
ed that in the family devotions he
Should be prayed for as still living
and with a cruel pang the father ut
tered the name of the boy he believed
deeA
at will be our last Thanksgiving
dinner ON the old place." he said the
day before Thanksgiving. "a lonely
one, indeed. I wonder if in all the
world there is a couple as lone
ly and desolate as we are.'
She did not speak, but slipped her
hand is his. He pressed it warmly,
the faithful hand which had never
wearied III its tender care Of him: and
there the old couple sat, silent and
thoughtful. They did not need to
speak. Each knew of what the other
was thinking. The mother said in her
heart, Dear Lord, bring our boy back
to u.s." The father thought, lord,
help us to patiently the Affections
that are bringing our gray hairs with
sorrow to the grave"
Thanksgiving day dawned. It was
a dismal day. The rain poured, the
wind blew, the sodden leaves covered
the earth, the whole landscape was
d1eary.
"It's pretty dismal, ism it mother?"
said the old man. 'It's a good thing
We don't expect guests in this storm.
Well, suppose we Dug Int to be thank
ful for a shelter this weath er, and
food enough to keep. us from starv-
ing"
"ls that all we have, father?" asked
| his patient wife. eve have health and
hope '.. 49,.
"Hope of what?" he asked, smiling
I a. l.
shook hands with hope long ae> and
bid it farewell"
''Hope Of home where all these long
lngs and heartaches will be over. 0
James, what can take that from us?"
"Iou are right" he said solmnly,
"and needed the reproof. We will
make this kind of sacramental day,
and wrestle with our griefs, as Jacob
did with the angel. until they bless us.
Why, there is traveller out in this
rain! He looks as it he didn't know
which way to co.
Call, him in, James," SAID his wife.
II am glad the Lord has sent some
| to eat our Thanksgiving dinner with
| u.s."
The r"veler obeyed the call of the
old man, and dashed into the yard.
"Stranger, this is a heavy storm;
come in and stop until the rain holds
up MIR. Forrest called out. Put up
| your horse in the stable there. We
have no servants, and can't venture
into the rain to help YOU"
In a few minutes the traveller stood
at the threshold. A tall, we1l-buiIt
man, with a heavy brown beard and
m1oustache which nearly covered his
face. >,q
Come in come in,'' Mr.: Forrest
| said. "Why you are dis wet as a rat. F."