The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-06-20


with the meadows all In bloom and the
trees green with leaves, and we shall
hear the birds sing as they used to be-
fore we came away. They won't drive
us off now as they did then, but we will
live in the old house and wander abouN
the garden and orchard every day. and
when we are tired we'll 60 down and
rest beneath the big tree where we used
to go of evenings when the days were
warm. Well soon be there-soon be
there"
Then the eyes closed and the old man
was quiet
"He is asleep" some one said. ''See
how he smiles as he reaches out his
hands. He is dreaming sweet dreams"
For long time they stood about the
old man and watched him in silence.
Once or twice his lips moved as If in
speech, and the smile on his wasted face
grew brighter. Then again his eyes
opened and their gaze wandered about
the little room.
81 thought we were there" he said, a
little disappointed. 81 thought we had
reached the end of the journey and were
resting on the blue grass under the big
tree down by the meadow. I smelt the
clover blossoms and the wild roses, and
heard the birds singing in the tree
overhead, and the water as 1t flowed
along over the white stones on its way
down from the big spring up under the
three old elm trees. But it is not far,
and we shall be there before night comes
on. Come, now, and let's be going, for
we have another hill to climb, and
am anxious to see the dear old place."
He was still again for minute or two,
but no one looked up to disturb him.
"Ahr he said at last, as the smile
faded from his features and look OF
doubt and trouble succeeded it. "What
if they will not let us come in? What
if they drive US away again as they did
before? But they can not be so cruel as
that. No, no; I will tell them that we
have come long way and have walked
many, many days to get back to the old
home, and they can not be so cruel as to
turn US away. 1 will tell them how
we'll l love it. and of all the fond men,
cries have of it, and they will be
touched by that and not drive US away
any more. l will tell them of her
of my dear, poor Marian, who came to
live with me in the old house. will
speak to them of the times when she
and used to go arm-in-arm about the
big pasture, and of the times when we
sat on the long porch and dreamed and
planned for the future. I will tell
them how well she loved the flowers
and the birds, and how often we
wandered about gathering the roses
and the ferns. I will tell them all this,
and of the day she died, and I will ask
them to let me stay at the old home, SO
] can go every day and plant flowers
on her grave. They will not drive US
off when tell them this
''He is dying" somebody said, in a
soft whisper.
Yes, he is nearing the end of his
Journey" the doctor replied, as he bent
over the old man. "Does anyone know
any thing of his life?"
No one spoke.
Then the door opened softly and
stranger entered. Leaning forward and
bending over the apparently lifeless
form, the stranger looked on the haggard
face for some time, then raising himself
he muttered:
''It is he.'
A minute passed and they all waited
in silence. The stranger did not speak,
and the doctor touching his arm asked:
"What do you know of him?"
''He is my father. Years ago went
away from home and soon after my
mother died. Then there came trouble,
and those nearly related to him set to
work to rob him of his home. He was
old and easily persuaded, and after a
time they got deed to his property,
and then they drove him out. They at
tempted to confne him in pauper's
home, but he ran away, and for years
he has wandered about the country.
From the day learned his fate I HAYS
searched for him in every direction.
Sometimes 1 heard of him being some
where, but always long time after he
had been there, and it is only now that
l have found him-and found him
dying"
The stranger sank down on his knees,
and, taking his fathers hand in his,
bent his head upon it and let his tears
fall. Those present fell back little,
and though they were as silent as death
their eyes grew dim and tear-drops
rolled down the cheeks of some of
them. It was but few moments, per-
haps. though it seemed an age, before
any one spoke. 1t was the old man who
broke the silence.
"We have come long way to-day"
he'sald, land l am growing faint and
weak. 1t is not far now, but I must sit
down here by the way-side and rest a
little before 1 attempt to climb the 9TH
er hill. We have climbed good many
hills to-day, but was Get so weak then.
will lie down here On The grass and
you, Sanch. lie down by NE, for while
rest want to tell you about the dear
old home that am going back to, and
that I haven't seen for so long.
81 will tell you about the old house
first, and l remember it we'll, for it was
only last night hat l saw it in my
dreams, just as I have seen it every
night for so many years. There is the
big room, the one with the great fire.
place in which the hickory logs
burned and cracked, shooting
up soft blazes of light. There
is where we used to sit of winter even.
ings, Marian and I, when we talked
of the future and of what life would be
to us. / saw Marian sitting there last
night, and l saw the happy smile on
her face, just as have seen it so many
times in the old days before she went
away. Then there is the little garden
with the flower-beds that we used to
4 love, and down below is the great, old
orchard with the red apples and the