Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1889-09-18

my luggage. l kept quiet rs possible
while the old fellow ~reconnoitered. He
touched my forehead presently; gently
and cautiously at first; but when he
supposed / still slept, he ran his fin
gers along over my left temple care
fully several times, as If searching for
something. / fully expected to feel
the cold steel plunged into my unfor-
tunate head each minute; but it seemed
ages to me that the old man bent over
me in absolute silence.
| could see, through half-open eye
lids, the aged head bending lower, I'M
til presently the withered lips were
pressed to my brow, and q tear fell on
my upturned face.
l could stand it no longer. Thinking
that, perhaps, l had lodged after all
with some crazed old being. I opened
my eyes and moved my hands ~ if
waking from deep slumber.
My son!a he said, softly and ten
DERBY. looking into my wide-open eyes.
There was something in the voice
and fervency Of tone and manner that
made my blood tingie and my heart
throb faster. / sat up and gazed at
the bright, happy face of mine host.
Your Q :" ] queried. a strange feel
ing OF conviction taking possession
of me.
aYes,' he replied, taking my hands
in q warm, trembling clasp. "You are
my long-lost Harry-my dear little
SON"
"Am IF" I asked, in a bewildered
way; Il feel that l must be-"
*Yes,' continued he; "when I came
in from feeding your pony l thought
you resembled my boy, as / remem-
bered him, q great deal. That was
why l asked You your name, and when
you answered me, Harry Clifford I
sure Of it; but / didn't want to make
. mistake, SO after you we're asleep /
my fingers owe your temples to
find . scar | was sure yon must still
carry. You got it by being terribly
hurt once with q stone, I remember.
And the scar is right here; I s'pose
you've noticed il often" and the hand
went up again to my temple and
touched q small calloused spot which /.
had often taken notice Of.
@Yes,' / exclaimed: II remember
the fall over the rocks at Tally, father
At this he broke down and went in
my arms for some minutes. It is need
less to say that I, too. shed tears.
~They told me You we're both dead"
he said, awhen l got away from the In
dams that took me captive; and when
/ couldn't find a trace Of either Of you,
/ came West again and lived alone"
Alter \ 0ynoSrn ~ vrevnn A~,n A1~n
g~littering tears. he continued: .I've .
good piece Of farming land. Harry. a
few miles further on a man is renting
it now, AZ I'm not able 10 work much,
and so ! live up here alone. l could
live with them, / suppose" he said,
presently, shut I'd rather not.
But and his old face frightened
wonderfully in the dim freight, .the
mans time is out in the spring and he
wants to go South 70 we'll go over and
manage the farm, won't we, Harry"
And l, more bewildered than ever,
and overcome with happiness and good
fortune, mnrmured, AYes, father"
Well, We did 60 over to manage the
farm and I invested my lei in inn
provements, sothat we now are getting
along finely.
That old gentleman sitting there ON
the porch il my father, wl9sse story
you've heard in part; and that lady
fitting shout the house in there is my
wife.
Happy Oh, yes; We : very happy
il our eoxy Western home; and I often
look 80 father md remember the old
man with : bundle who seemed 20
willing that / should lodge with him.