Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-26

his knees and hides his thin, wan face
on his fathers hands, weak as an, bys-
tsrical woman. "Oh, take me back,
AGAIN. father I know I've been .
bad son; know I've disgrsced you
ali: bat I've fallen so low aud have
suffered 80 much, and | have re-
pentedl Oh, give me another chance I"
As he speaks several Of the servants
run into the ball and gather round them.
Then saw in Sir Peters face the most
beautiful look ] ever saw on any human
features think 1t must have been the
reflection of the Divine love Of the Great
Father of us all. SO, rising, be stands
before Us. the poor lad still kneeling at
his feet; then, stooping, ne raises him
tepd.rly. holding him ia his loving
srms--ob, so closely land says, In a
clear. strong voice, "Sse here, all Of
YOU this is my son Jack, my very
own son. lie shall once more eat al
my table, once more sleep beneath my
roof"
By and by Jack and | are sitting
alone in the dining-room, and I'm not
ashamed to own, and | know Jack
wouldn't be, that we both broke down
ard cried 4 little. was a weak old
man, and he weak young one. Look
ing at him steadily, / could see how
want and poverty and hard lie had
ground him down. The poor, wan face
was pinched and white, and the blue
eyes thst used to DO so gay and full OF
life had a hunted, haggard look.
Jack sits in the deepening London
twilight and tells me his weary
history-dsbt, dishonor, gambling,
and the ever-downward career that we
all know so well. He was asking after
his old Aunt Betty, when 81 denly
there was chatter at the front door,
tremendous hustle and scuiile ia the
hall, and in bursts that redoubtsble
lady, a whirlwind Of tears, gasps, fur,
Joy, and insrticulate allelujahs. In
two seconds her faithful old arms we're
round Jacks neck and the old lady
sobbiDg on his breast then she would
hold him at arms length, looking him
al over then, with another sob of
triumphant delight, fling herself into his
arms again. l really feared the old
lady's mind would give way.
After much laughing and crying she
delivered herself in this fashion, one
arm round Jack and the other DONNA
ting me. l might have been Aldgste
Pump for all she cared.
"Here's my boy come back-praise
God for that. he has come back-aud
not a legion Of Joseph's nor legion Of
devils shall drive him away again.
Who cares for the past? To-day we
begin fresh chapter. Who cares for
your morslities and your decencies?
Hang 'em all, | say. Kiss your old
aunt, my lad"
/ think sometimes dear Aunt Bettyis
too outspokeD, but no one thinks OF that
now. Jack kisses her ugly old tear.
stained face, kisses her as tenderly and
calamity as if she were his bride, and
then, by some strange freak, the old
lady falls upon me and kisses me quite
outrsgeously, till Jack takes her hand
in mine and says: AUNT, | can't for
get the past, or your patience and love.
but I've come back to redeem it. BE
patient and kind TO me a little longer,
as you would to a sick man whose fever
is leaving him."
Kind to you, Jack !! " she cries,
mantling all over with beautiful pride
and Joy. "Leave me alone for that.
Why, my darling then words fail
her, and the eager old arms are once
more round him as if they would never
unclasp again.
Then Sir Peter joins them, and | 60
away happy to my own home.
This is what happened afterward, ex-
cellent old Tomkins being my inform
ant. And l must tell you the very
end of IT all, whi;h is as happy as q
fairy story, and much moro true
Our unprodigal son Joseph came
back that evening from the bank IN q
state OF serene decorum quite beautiful
to behold everything had prospered
exceedingly with him that day. lie
had arranged the settlements with
Lady Olivia, and had kept matters moro
in his own hands than he had hoped to
do. As he drove up Harley street,
even when far off, he was astounded to
see unusual signs of festiyity at his
fathers sombre-looking house. Lights
cleaned in the windows, and the whole
place was transformed. Joseph must
have guessed the truth. He stood on
the doorstep in no happy mood. Tom
kins opened the door, bis honest face
cleaning, and behind him stood Sir
Peter.
What's the meaning Of all this,
father? Have you gone mad?"
Then Sir Peter spoke in strong, clear
tones: " Joseph, your brother is come
back-your brother and my son. Come
in and join US. Help US to give him a
welcome.
Joseph's pale face flushed. SIS this
the reward of all my years Of duty?
AS you say, he is my brother, be is
your son; but he is more than this
he is a thief, an outcast, a sgndler.
Ever since be was born he has been a
curse and disgrace to u.s.
Then Sir Peter flushed up in beau
tiful short-lived Indian summer of
wrath. "Psace, Joseph; no more of
this. He is my son; he was lost, and
now he is found. have gung the past
behind my back; he is the very apple
of my eye. l forbid you to cast one
word in bis teeth. If you cannot live
in peace with him, you must live else
where"
After many months things settled
down. Joseph married the Lady Olivia
and took house in Park lane, aud was
as happy ever afterward as respectable
people deserve to be, and Jack s,eadisd |
down and never sowed any more wild |
oats. His father grew into happy old |
man, and as long as he lived Jack
never married. Then Lady Pimlico
died and left him all her savings, aud
when lastsaw my boy he had ripened |
into q king of men-happy, rich. |
prosperous, and honored, the old |