The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-01-05

hours tCgp. her, Musiug over the events
tnat had caused his name to be- horow-
hly mentioned with those highest in MD,
uarv authority. When the Blk oiIrial
document came 10y mail from Washing
ton cit. announcing his promotion for
galAEtry rrcn the i,cll Of ChicEamau"a,
his eve liuulud with the old enthusiasm.
on New Years day, 1864, Gen. Ecrtcl
HCndIiasrn. in his new uniform, stand
inc erect without his crutChCs, and with
only pcrpcptiLlc halt in his step, re-
cti,od hi5 GOOD ncighbor5 in the house
with thc double bay windows and real
stained glass.
Months rounded into years Old war
wounds were CautprilCd with the tears
Of loving sympathy, Waste places bios
somcd. The angel Of peace spread its
whitc\ir.s over nation tried in fire,
and which had triumphantly burst the
doors OF lis scc,hinS furnace
~
There was another railroad at Elainorc,
and new and more spacious platform.
Gen. Brrtcl iicudrik5cn was president
of the company. lie was now ON the
shady side Of fifty, with whitening hair
and beard; yet his form was nbcnt by
increasing years and his voice had lost
none Of It's musical cadence.
mamma" said little Osric on the even
Inc of the last day of the third year since
his fathers death, eve are going to have
a splendid time tomorrow!
"NVhy so:" asked Christine, looking up
from a treasure box that lay open i'll her
lap.
because it Is New Years. Then ] am
five years old, grandpa saws, and we are
to have a tiptop sleigh ride before dim
ncr."
"You and grandpa" said his mother
listlcssly.
"All6fus, mamma" replied Osric. at
won't be any fun if you and grandma
don't 90. | don't believe you care for
New Years one bit"
"Whv, Osricw exclaimed Mrs. Robin
son, chow can you think so? 1t is the
anniversary Of my darling's birth, and to
mo the most precious day Of all the year,
save one"
Here she sighed and ga2cd intcntly at
n miniature in her hand. 1t was the
portrait Of a handsome, dark featured
man. whose eyes were wonderfully like
Osrc's.
ooh, mamma" cried the boy, "let me
see poor papa again.
The picture was handed to him. After
kissing il, the little fellow said:
mamma, my grandpa is good man.
He never blamcs my dear, dead papa
but he SAYS he was brave and true TO
what lac thought was duty. | love my
grandpa moro than over now
Christine caught the hoy to her bosom
and they U,pt togcthcr--the child in
sympathy with his mothers gratitude or
distress, he couldn't tell which.
The day and the ride were splendid, as
little Osric had promised. On reaching
the now railway station Gen. llcndIihscn
told his driver TO stop n few minutes, IA
he had business in the companys Office.
While his grandpa was inside the build
ing Osrc became greatly interested in a
tall and distinguished looking man, who,
pacing thcplatiorm, wrapped in heavy
fur trimmed top coat. was evidently
waiting for the train. At last the gen
tlcman turned and looked at the sleigh
and its passengers. Then no resumed
his measured walk.
Osric climbed nimbly down from his
perch beside the driver ana ran towards
the stranger.
you're my papa, and you're not dead
and never YVES. Come over to mamma
and grandma. That's Them said the
little boy, pointing to the sleigh.
The man hesitated q moment, then
stopped and held Osric up in his arms.
"Nerciful heaven" he cried, lit all
comes back out of tho shadows! My
long, long dream is true! l am home at
last, thank God"
The wondrous story flew like prairie fire
through the village. Capt. jack Robin
son, living, in Elsinore was made social
lion. Gen. IIendriksen had found a son
and his dear Christmas widowhood was
ended. Mrs. Hcndrikscn's boy that was
lost had come home again. Osric's father
felt parents Joy. 1t was, as Jack said,
the happiest New Years in all his life.
What more could n man who had been
dead three years and half be expected
to sayl
SO the bells rang, and the story was
retold with all its changes.
Capt. John Robinson had been left for
dead on the field of Gettysburg. 1t was
n miracle of the good samaritan's tender
nursing in a quiet Pennsylvania farm
house. One day he was born to a new
Ilit. Win IL tINtill Nll'sb lltthliNNt
sleeping or waking. lie had gone into the
+ oil country and made money. Still the
dream was Il shadow, now light, now
dark. He wandered from place TO place
aimlcssly. The end OF his dream came
where his love bogan-in i-lsinore, by
the placid lakes
Little Osric was his fathers valet ant
hero. He wanted him to SO everywhere
and let everybody see him. They are
still visiting, although Osric is married
and the soldier, who wouldn't stay
killed, is now called grandpa"
"Ill tell YOU how | managed it, Der
tel" said OsIic recently TO his own littl,
Eve year old. Il knew it was my pap;
as soon as saw his eyes. They were il
tho picture. So just stepped up to hin
and told the truth. Mamma had hus
band and splendid father, tefor,
grandma. who got her breath first, coult
say Jack Robinson.
Henry CLAY 1ITENs.
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