Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-17

was over long ago; the company vas already
at supper, and by an oversight that cut ma
to tue quick, my place had been forgotten
had seen one side Of the masters return: now
L was to see the other. 1t was he who first
remarked my coming in and standing back
las did in some annoyance. He Jumped
from his seat
And If have not got the good MackeA
lars placed" cries he. John, lay another for
Mr.. Bally; protest he will disturb no ons
and your table Is big enough for all"
could scarce credit my ears, nor yet my
senses, when he took me by the shoulders and
thrust me laughing into my own place; such
an affecttonate playfulness was in his voice
And while John laid the fresh place for him
Ia thing on which he still insisted) he went
and leaned on his fathers chair and looked
down upon him, and the old man turned about
and looked upward on his son with such Q
mutual tenderness that could have carried
my hand to my head in mere amazement.
Yet all was Of piece Never harsh word
fell from him, never a sheer showed upon hh
lip. be had laid aside even his cutting Eng.
lish accent, and spoke with the kindly Scots
tongue that SETS a value on affectionate words
and though his manners had a graceful els.
gance mighty foreign to our ways in Durris
deer, it was still a homely courtliness that
did not shame but 1attered u.s. All that hs
did throughout the meal, indeed, drinking
wine with me with a notable respect, turning
about for pleasant word with John, fondlina
his fathers hand, breaking into little merry
tales Of his adventures, calling up the past
with happy reference-all he did was so be.
coming, aud himself 50 handsome, that could
scarcely wonder if my lord and Mrs Henry
sat about the board with radiant faces, or il
oh nj Il hab ind ,.-itb
As soon supper was over Mrs. Henry rose
to Withdraw.
"This was never your way, Alison,n said
he.
1T is my way now" she replied; which
was VIGOROUSLY false, land | will give you
good night, James, and welcome-from the
dead" said She and her voice drooped and
trembled.
Poor Mr.. Henry, who had made rather
heavy figure through the meal, was more con
cerned than ever; pleased to see his wife with.
draw, and yet half displeased, as he thought
upon the cause oft; and the next moment al.
together dashed by the fervor of her speech
On my part thought l was now one TOD
many, and was stealing after Mrs Henry,
when the master saw NE.
"Now, Mr. MackeLar," says he, Il take this
near on an unfrendiness. | cannot have you
go; this is to make stranger Of the prodigal
son-and let me remind you wherein his
own fathers house! Come, sit We down, and
drink another glass with Mr.. Balyn
"Ay, ay, Mr.. Mackellar,' says my lord,
tive must not make stranger either of him
or you | have been telling my SON., he add
ed, his voice Frightening usual on the
word, chow much we valued all your friendly
service
So sat there silent till my usual hour: and
might have almost been deceived in the mans
nature, but for one passage I'm which his per-
tidy appeared too plain. Here was the pas
sage; of which, after what he knows Of the
brothers meeting, the reader shall consider
for himself. Mir Henry sitting somewhat
duly. in spite OF his best endeavors to carry
things before my lord, up jumps the master,
passes about the board, and claps his brother
ON the shoulder
Come come, Hairy lad, says he, with a
broad accent such they must have used to-
gether when they We're boys, you must not
be downcast because your brother has come
home. AIS yours, that's sure enough, and
little | grul5e it you. Neither must YOU
grudse me my place beside my fathers fire.
"And that is too true, Henry" says my old
lord, with a little frown, Il thing rare with
him. you have been the elder brother of
the parable in the good sense; You must ba
careful OF the other"
Il am easily put in the wrong said Mr..
Henry
"Who puts You in the wrong3" cried my
lord, thought very tartly for 50 mild man.
You have earned my gratitude and your
brothers many thousand times; you may
count on its endurance, and let that sutficen
'Ay, Harry, that you may, said the
master; and thought Mr.. How looked at
him with a kind of wildneS, in hs eye
Ip'TEp