Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-04-22
"But how did YOU find me at last ~

''But how did you find me at last ?'
asked the happy teacher. "a friend
at our old home," was the answer,
"has shown me great kindness. He
assisted me to start in business, and
has done all he could to aid me in my
search for you. When we heard a re-
port of yourdeathi distant state
he refused to believeit, and has almost.
forced me to employ every means pos
sible to find some clue to your where
abouts. | am come to this part of
the country to see about land belong
ing to our firm Wishing to 90 to a
farm over here owned by a man by
the name Of Brown, / tired of the dirty
road and decided to take a short cut
through the grove TGlanced into the
schoolroom through mere curiosity in
passing and-you know the rest.
Praise the Lord +, | found my sister
here.
81 board with FARMER Brown y said
the teacher, after a happy pause. II
will call the school together and dis
miss, then walk over with you to the
farm"
Fred. must make haste with his
business and could not be pursuaded
to leave his sister here.
"Find some one else to finish her
SCHOOL, he said. 'My May must go
home with me in the morning"
Home! Oh, none but those who
have tried life without it can realize
how much of Joy and hope and com
fort that little word signifies. And
the poor, lone, weary school-teacher
was going home.
When at the close of the third day
of travel they reached their station
and found a carriage awaiting them
there, May was too tired and full of
other thoughts to wonder who knew
of or so kindly expected their coming.
But when, after driving through the
streets of the large town that had
taken the place of the little village in
which she had lived in those old days
she was lifted out of the carriage at a
little wicker gate, just as the sun was
kissing the day good-by and beams of
wondrOus glory rested on all the scene
about her, she stood a moment in
mute astonishment and then, turning
to Fred. with a cry OF ecstasy, said,
80, it is really my same old home!'
Slowly May passed up the walk, as
If treading on holy ground. The roses
clustered in their fragrant beauty and
about the wide porch as of yore and
Mays old fashioned rocker stood
her days of happy girlhood. "Be
seated here one moment, May, [ want
to tell you something, said her broth
er. "This is not my property he
continued, as May sank into her chair,
with a long drawn quivering breath,
and sat trying to keep back the tears
and to listen to what he had to say. II
am making my home here for thepres-
ent with the friend of whom | told you
He requested that | bring you here for
this first evening anyway He it is
who has kept this home for you as
near as possible to its former self. He
has been waiting against all discour-
agements and failures in our search for
you. Can you not guess who he is :?
Are you willing to forgive and see him
now?"
A STANCE, solemn quiet came over
his listener. at is Phillip" she said.
where is hep" She was white as the
NACcpNA, y OC iJOtC cUcISAC 1lCL III OUhCI
proffered arm and found her way as if
by instinct or angel guidance, for she
walked as if not seeing whittier she
went, into the little old-fashioned par
lor where love and JOY awaited her.
Do [ need to tell you that this Phil
lp was the hot-headed, lover who had
rushed off to the war after their bitter
parting in that June SO long ago?
Do [ need to add that there was a
quiet wedding just after prayer-meet-
ing at the little chapel across the
street that night Do | need to tell
youwho were the bride and groom?
Do need to assure you that Fred.
found glad welcome with them until
he had chosen home and a wife of
his own?
[ must not tell you too much;
for | want to end this story, so far as
the telling is concerned, while these
three hearts who have by sorrow been
led to know the sure friendship and
mercy of God are in their little home
uniting in thanksgiving to Him who
having guided them through days of
trouble has again loaned to them the
blessings of home, friends and happi-
ness, has given back the years of their
joyand given Joy for all years-with
the June roses