Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-12-03

Deen i ped"
Without a word Mrs. Forrest hur.
ried home.
What did you say to himP" she
erred, passionately, to her husband
you've been harsh and cruel to him
| know, and now he's gone away. and
shali never, never see my boy again!'
Il told him what | said | would "
he answered, coldly. Zone more
chance gave hun Tor amendment,
Yes, l told him he was a disgrace. a
cllnglng disgrace, for Ididn't believe he
would reform. gave him some mon.
ey to replace what he stole, and that
was all. don't regret a wold | said
heproach your " weakness. tisn't
Just to reproach me. Since ne has
chosen to leave us, it is perhaps the
best thing he could do"
But though Mr.. Forrest spoke in
TINS manner, he spared neither money
nor LABOR TO gain some tidings Of his
son. They traced him to q eanor
town, and then lost all trace as Mt
terly as if the earth had closed over
him. As months and years rolled by,
Mr.. Forrest gave up expectation of
ever seeing him again, but the mother
hoped still. The father grew more
silent and sad. Time as it passed had
taught him that he had erred in the
h%arshness and bitterness with which
he had treated his son and he wou1,
have liked to retract some of his
words. MIsfortunes, too, had pressed
upon him. His crops had failed three
years IN succession, he had m~ortgaged
ms farm in order that he might live.
and III n few days, there was to be a
foreclosure OF the mOrtgage, and the Old
place must pass out OF his hands
ITS 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, as well
as myself, and hoped to die IN the
house III which he died. Wen barely
have a 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 1t to you, and now it's our
last refuge"
at will outlast our time, James"
she said, sadly. "There's no n to
come after US, unless David comes
home"
Mr.. Forrest shook his head. Hehad
long ceased to combat what he said
was his wlfe'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 maine OF the boy he believed
dead.
1t will be our last THANKSGIVING
dinner on the Old place" he said the
day before Thanksgiving. "A lonely
one, indeed. | wonder if in all the
world T. ere 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
wearled in 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 us" The father thought, Lord,
help usto bearpaticntly the Affections
that are bringing our gray hairs with
sorrow to the grave"
Thanksgiving day dawned. 1t was
a dismal day. The rain poured, the
wind blew, the sOdden leaves covered
the earth, the whole landscape was
drcary.
ITS pretty dismal, isn'titmother?''
said the old man. It's q good thing
we don't expect guests in this storm.
Well, / suppose we ought to be thank.
full for a shelter this weather, and
food enough to keep us from starry
ing"
as that all we have, father?' asked
hispatient wife. W have health,a nd
hope
Hope of WHAT" he asked, smiling
sadly. Il think, my dear, you and
shook hands with hope long ago and
bid it farewell"
Hope ola home where all these long,
ings and heartacheS will be over. o
James, what a take that from u.s.
You are right" he said sOlmnly,
land / needed the reproOf. We will
| make this n kind OF sacramento day,
| and wreStle with our grieiS, rs Jacob
did with the angel, until they bless us.
Why, there is "a traveller out i'll this
rain! He looks as If he didn't know
which way to 90
Call, him in, James sad his wife.
Il am glad the Lord has sent some
to eat our Thanksgiving dinner with
us" a
The tr Weller obeyed the call OF the
old man, and dashed into the yard.
stranger, this is a heavy storm;
| come in and stop until the a holds
| up" Mr.. 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, well built
man, with n heavy brown beard and
moustache which nearly covered his
face.
Come in, come in," Mr.. Forrest
said. "Why you areas wet as a rat
"Only my o~vercoat, no answered
IN n hoaTse voice.
with your permission, III stop a
| minute in the hall and take 1t of.
He was u long time getting of ms
| coat, and when he came in, Mrs. For
rest was placing an ample meal on tne
table. The stranger walked 10 tht
window and looked out.
you have a pretty place here he
| said. at least, it must be an at
tractive place in good weather. 80,
Eyes" answered the old man. with
a sigh. 1--WE are fond OF the old house
| and it's surroundings"
do you live alone here?'
"As you see" he answered, shortly.
He thought the stranger too nqulS'
tive. But dinner is ready. Take a
seat"
The traveller noticed that at one
place there was n handsome emma
plate and in a glass near 1t, abouquet
OF white chrysanthemuns and RED ger
| aniums. Naturally supposlng that 1t
was a seat OF honor appropriated &c
guests, he moved towards 1t. Mrs
Forrest nervously waved HIM PACK
"Not there, sir" she cried. please
take this seat" :,
the indicated place. I'm AFRAID yo'
will be disappointed in the guest you
EXPECT, the storm is so severe bnt h'
ought to have tried to come. Ihert
should be no vacant place at q
T~bouEsgiyinr die lGr.'