The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-02-09

pear at breakfast. She concluded he
had gone to the store, not wishing to
meet his father so soon again. But
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 when
ever it was opened. She put on her
bonnet after dinner, and went direct
ly to thestore. Mr.. Rapp was stand
ing at the door.
"Good-evening, Mrs. Forrest!" he
said. "Where on earth is David to-
day."
"Isn't he in the store?" she asked,
with her heart beating like a sledge-
hammer.
Indeed, he isn't. He came in for a
minute early this morning, and hand
ed me a ten-dollar bill, and mumbled
out something about having forgot
ten to put it in the till. couldn't
make out what he did say. Helooked
pale and sick, and I'm sure ought tc
have been in bed"
Without 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, l know, and now he's gone
away, and l shall never, never see
my boy again.
81 told him what l said l would"
he answered coldly. Zone more
chance l gave him for amendment.
Yes, l told him he was a disgrace, a
clinging disgrace, for didn't believe
he would reform. Igave him some
money to replace what he stole, and
that was all. / don't regret a word
said. Reproach your own weakness.
1t isn't just to reproach me. Since
he has chosen to leave us, it is per-
haps the best thing he could do"
But though Mr.. Forrest spoke in
this manner, hespared neither money
nor labor to gain some tidings of his
son. They traced him to a seaport,
town, and then lost all trace as utter
ly as if the earth had closed over him.
AS months and years rolled by Mr..
Forrest gave Interpretation 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 harshness and bitterness with
which he had treated his son, and
he would have liked to retract
some ofhis words. Misfortunes, too,
had pressed upon him. His crops
had failed three years in succession,
he had mortgaged his farm in order
that he might live; and in afew years
there was to be foreclosure of the
mortgage, and the old place must
pass out of his hands.
"It's no use striving any longer,
Sarah" he said, drearily: 81 do not
know where to look for help, we must
submit and leave the old homestead.
Father was born here, as well as my
self, and hoped to die in the house
which he died. Well barely have o
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 is 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. He
had long ceased to combat what he
said was his wife's monomania about
the return of his son. She always
insisted that in the family devotion
he should be prayed for as still living,
and with cruel pang the father ut
tered the name of the boy he be-
ieved dead.
cit will be our last Thanksgiving
dinner on the old place." he said, the
day before Thanksgiving. ga lonely
one indeed. wonder if in all the
world there is a couple as lonely and
as desolate as we are"
She did not speak, but slipped her"
hand in his. He pressed it warmly,
the faithful hand which had never
wearied in it's 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 bear patiently the
Affections that are bringing ourgray
hairs with sorrow to the grave"
Thanksgiving Day dawned. It
was dismal day. The rain poured,
the wind blew, the sodden leaves COW
cred the earth, the whole landscape
was dreary.
"It's pretty dismal, isn't it, moth
er? said the cid man. It's a good
thing we don't expect guests in this
storm. Well, l suppose we ought to
be thankful for shelter this wealth
er, and food enough to keep us from
starving"
"Is that all we have, father" asked
his patient wife. eve have health
and hope"
"Hope of what?" he asked, smiling
sadly. 81 think, my dear, you and
l shook hands with hope long ago
and bid it farewell"
"Hope of home where all these
longings and heartaches will be over.
o, James, what can keep that from
us?"
"You are right" he said solemnly,
and l needed the reproof. We will
make this kind ofsacramental day,
and wrestle with our griefs, as 10
seph did with the angel, until they
bless us. Why, there is a traveller
out in all this rain! He looks as if he
didn't know which way to 60"
Call him in, James," said his wife.
I'm glad the Lord has sent some one
to eat our Thanksgiving dinner with
u.s."
The traveller obeyed the call of the
old man, and dashed into the yard.
Stranger, this is heavy storm;
come in and stop until therain holds
up" Mr.. Forrest called out. "Put
up your horse in the stable there.
We have no servants, and l can't
venture into the rain to help you"