The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1890-11-20


school; ana memories came OF . thous.
and incidents and scenes Of childhood
! and boyhoo1 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.
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 bo 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 q 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 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 70 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 it's
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. 1t
1t has been the means of recalling me
to myself, and showing me how foolish
and selfish and unprincipled 1 have
been," and flush of shame came over
his face as he thought of his follies.
Pulling out his watch, he scanned its
face eagerly, and exclaimed: 81 can
catch the early morning train and get
home in time to eat dinner with the
folks, and surprise them all l am 60
ing home" 1t did not take very long
to write note excusing himself from
his engagement with his friend Morton
for the next day, nor to write to his en-
ployers of his intended trip and the
hour he would return ON Friday, nor to
prepare for his journey.
In the midst of his preparations, how
ever, he thought of the eata bles on the
table. The tender feelings that filled
his heart forbade his leaving them to
an uncertain fate. He hastily ran over
his list of acquaintance to see if he
could think of any one to whom they
would be an acceptable gift. At length
he remembered two young medical stu
dents rooming few squares away,
whose acquaintance he had made some
weeks since, ard as he recalled the ao-
counts they had given him with the in.
genuousness of youth, of their peregrin-
atoms from one cheap restaurant to an
other, until in despair they were at
tempting to do their own cooking, he
felt that there was the place to send his
mothers gift. He repacked the box
carefully as possible, picturing to him
self the delight with which those poor
homesick boys would greet that turkey
and mince pie. A brief note of explain
alton to them replaced his mothers
note to him. He then hastily COM
pleted his preparations, left explicit
directions concerning the sending of the
box, and was soon on his way to the
depot.
And the box went to a narrow street
and up four flights of stairs to small
back room, and made two young fellows
so happy that they called in two other
student friends to enjoy their feas. with
them, and the way they devoured the
turkey, pies, and other good things
would astonish any who looked on,
unless, indeed, like them, he had been
for two long months far away from
home, and struggling along with slen-
der means and eating at cheap eating
houses.
The early morning train bore John
Williams on and on, through the hours
of the forenoon. nearer and nearer the
old place; and then, getting off at the
4 4 81 !