Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-11-20

deeply. The spicy OdorS hlled tho
room with incense, that like a magic
vapor formed itself into images and
visions of his childhood days He saw
the long, low-roofed farmhouse, nestled
among the hills, the broad meadows and
fields surrounding it, and the shining
river that flowed near the little red
school-house, where he first went to
school; and memories came of a thous-
and incidents and scenes of childhood
and boyhooj memories of his child COM
panions and friends, of his brothers and
sisters, of himself the youngest child in
large family, with the older ones set
tied in their own homes As he unused
he saw the child John, now following
his father as he went about the daily
work on the farm, and now helping the
mother with her household task, his
little hands always ready, his little
feet never tired. He thought of the
happy family gatherings at the old
homestead, and the great family festi-
val of the year-Thanksgiving day.
Many, many times his little hands had
seeded the raisins and chopped the cit
ron and peeled the apples for the mince
pies, and his child eyes watched with
unceasing interest the mixing and
baking of the various triumphs of Gull
nary skill that adorned the dinner-table
on that happy day.
Sweeter and dearer grew the thoughts
and memories of home, until, like the
pure, fresh air of his native hills. they
drove away the eneravating effects of
the atmosphere in which he had been
living for several months past. He saw
then clearly the dangers of the course
he had been pursuing, the weakness
and folly of which be had been guilty.
John Williams had not gone very far
on the broad and pleasant road of sin,
but for the last six months circum-
stances had thrown him with set of
gay young fellows, and he had been
drifting with the tide. During the six
years he had lived in the great metro
polls he had not met with many tempta-
tions that appealed to him, but with
steady promotion and increase of
salary had come intimacy with the sons
| of his employers and acquaintance with
their friends. He had naturally a taste
and admiration for the refined pleas
| ures that lie in the power of those who
have wealth and leisure, and was able
| to crafty his intellectual and social
| tastes with his new set of friends, but,
fascinated and dazzled by their ways
and doings, he became impatient with
his lot. He despised things that used
| to content him, and strove to find means
to add to his salary. and in his feverish
thirst for greater gain, and in companion
ship of his new friends, he had crowded
down, down into very small corner OF
his heart the duty and affection that
were due to the old folks at home.
| Stronger and clearer grew the visions
of home. until in fancy he could see the
old home as it would be on the morrow:
could see the dinner-table with its load
of good things. surrounded by the fam
lily and friends, and could hear one
another ask in surprise: ''Why, where's
John?" He could see the tear trem-
bling in his mothers eye as she
answered.: HE was too busy to come
home this year."
TOO busy to go home for Thanksgiv-
ing?" What evil spirit, what foul fiend
had prompted him to pen that message
to grieve the dear old fathers heart and
bring a tear to those patient, loving
mother eyes? Too busy? And the
true self of John Williams rose up in its
manhood and truth, and he said: II told
my mother paltry lie! What are my
engagements for tomorrow with Nor
ton and the rest of the boys compared
| to visit home! / did not care to go,
hardened young fool that l am! This
box has been more to me tonight than
mother ever dreamed it would be. Ii