The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-12-09

I
soldier in him, believe"
james was many years older before
he fully recognized the fact that there
is nothing more heroic than the per.
sistent standing by the duties, small or
great, of everyday life.
Hello, Caleb" he cried, "you've
made quick nip"
Yes" said Caleb, still with the
beamiug face belonging with the fiji
ished letter. "Shag hasn't been at
work to-day, and he's as full of jun
as if-as if-he'd got letter off him
self.n
James could not help joining in the
boys gleefu laugh.
al wish | felt as good as you do,
Caleb" he said.
"I'll tell you what" said Caleb with
the air of one telling a great secret l.,
81 don't believe there's anything makes
you feel half 80 good as doing some
thing you think you ought to do"
"Not going to turn in?" he asked,
returning from the stable, after giving
his little nag faithful care.
mo, I'm going to write letter"
"I'm glad 'tisn't me-" with an ex.
pressive shake of his head. "I'm tired
enough to sleep for week.
Mother was not watching at the gate
on the Tuesday on which letter might
be expected from James. Indeed,
there sometimes crept over father and
| Susan a cold chill of fear that she might
never stand there or anywhere elst
again.
For the feet which had taken so many
steps in loving ministering, which had
so patiently ht Id to the round of small
duties laid out by him who orders all
our ways, were at last taking rest.
She had been suffering with low fever,
and the doctor shook his head with a
discouraged face as day followed day
to be heightened into week following
week, and still the pulse grew weaker
and the faded eyes DINNER
" If there was anything to rouse her,
the old doctor had said, sorely per
picked at IL c utter lack Of result to al.
his applied remedies. "There isn't 81
much the matter with her-only lack
Of vitality. Nothing seems to touch it, "
He sat with a helpless, bf fl I'd look.
During the latter weeks Susan had
stolen out on Tuesday for little season
of wistful watching for the longed-for
| letter which had never come. But to-
day she sat STILL wei Ihed down by the
| burden Of dread of what might be
scarcely hearing the low rumble of the
wagon as father drove along the lane.
| A few moments later he appeared at
the door and held up letter before
| Susan's eyes. She forgot her caution
in glad spring towards him.
"a letter A letter from JamesW
She controlled her voice to whisper,
but mother had been stirred from her
half-stupor, and had opened her eyes,
The doctor mas watching her.
&" Read it," he said motioning Susan
to the seat at her mothers side.
Dear Mother:-I've been thinking
tonight how long it is since l LETT
home. l never thought it would be ,
long, really didn't, when got into a
pet and came off. And if I've won
dered once why did it, I've wondered
a thousand times, for l haven't in all
these three years seen any place that
was quite up to home. And if was to
stay three times three, I'd never find
any body like you and father and Susy.
"There's another thing I've been
wondering, and that's whether you want
to see such a good for-nothng as me
there again"
A little sob came from mother, and
Susan paused in alarm.
Go on" motioned the doctor
I" But Pm most sure you do, and Pm
coming home, mother. 1t won't be so
very long before you see me. I've
learned lot of lessons since l left and
the one I've learned the best is that
any boy who goes around the world
hunting for better place than home is
simpleton. So Pm coming to be
your boy again. Aud if you don't find
that / can be comfort to you and
father and Susy, why, all you can do is
TO send me away again."
Her fever'll be up again." said Susy,
bending over her mother in a flutter of
joy and anxiety.
But there was smile on her mothers
face and light of hope and peace in
her eyes which had long been wanting
there.
"Thank God" she whispered. "My
boys coming home"
And when James very soon followed
his letter he held his breath at learning
how very near he had come to finding a
desolate home, and thankfully rejoiced
in the blessed privilege of winning his
mother back to health and happines.
There are many boys who put off the
home letter and the home coming until
too late.-Sydney Dayre, in Ne,o York
Observer.