The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-12-11
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recalled; yet in all his mothers face,
gentle and tender, seemed to stand out
distinctly. Sometimes it bent over him
in sickness, sometimes he saw il as in
church, with the grave expression put
on for the day. Sometimes it bore a
smile of sympathy with some of his
small delights. again. perhaps, frown
or a grieved look over his shortcom-
ings.
"Yes. and / remember exactly how
she looked when she whipped me, and
how she would come to me ten minutes
afterwards crying and begging me
never to make her do it again. Poor
mother" with a remorseful smile, ''she
didn't give it to me half hard enough"
~ wonder how she looks now" The
thought came with sharp pang. 1t
had never before occurred to him to
wonder whether his mother hsA
changed in these years in which he ha!b
not seen her. The line of thought onc4
struck seemed to lead on without his
own volition. 1t must be that the an
guish of his abrupt leave-talxing, the
anxiety for his welfare and the long
ing for sight of him during this weary
time had written deep lines upon thS
patient face.
There's Caleb back" James spranT
up as if in glad escape from the heavy
thoughts as the distant beat of hoofs
smote upon his ear. ''She is only hi.
stepmother, and yet he walks up to IT,,
business like soldier, hating it as he
does. Caleb has the making of soldiss
in him, believe"
James was many years older before
he could fully recognize the fact til 81
there is nothing more heroic than tl.s
persistent standing by the duties, small
or great, of every day life.
Hello Caleb" he cried, '.you'vs
made quick trip"
Yes" said Caleb, still with tn,
beaming face belonging with the fin
ished letter. ''Shag hasn't been at
work to-day, and he's as full of jump
as if-as if-he'd got letter off him
self
James could not help joining in the
boys gleeful laugh.
Il wish 1 felt as you do, Caleb" he
said.
''IlI tell you what" said Caleb.
with the air of one telling great Sc
cret, II don't believe there's anything
makes you feel half SO good as doing
something you think you ought to do"
Not going to turn imp he asked, re-
turning 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
the Tuesday on which letter m sh.
be expected from James Indeed. there
sometimes crept over father and SuSaL
cold chill OF fear tnau she NIGH
rever stand there or anywhere els>>
zF-ain-
For the feet which had taken so
many steps in loving ministering, which
had so patiently held to the round %
small duties laid out by Him who or
ders all our ways, were at last taking .
rest She had been suffering with q
low fever, and the doctor shook his
head with Il discouraged face as day
followed day, to be heightened into
week following week, and still tho
pulse grew weaker and the faded eye
iimmer.
''lf there was anything to rouse her
the old doctor had said. sorely pc
picked at the utter lack of result to l.
his applied remedies. There isn't :.
much the matter with her-only IL, i
of vitality. Nothing seems to touch il -
He sat with n helpless, baffied look
During the latter weeks Susan ha1
stolen out on Tuesday for little sea
son of wistful watching for the longed-
for letter which had never come. Bu.
to-day she sat still, weighed down by
the burden of dread of what might b-,
scarcely hearing the slow rumble ~
the wagon as father drove along tho
!ane. A few moments later he ap-
scared at the door and held mp a letter
before Susan's eyes She forgot her
caution in a glad spring towards him.
"a letter! A letter from James,
She controlled her voice to Il whis-
Der, but mother had been stirred from
her half-stupor, and had open ID her
eyes The doctor was watching her
Read it, he said, motioning Susan
to the seat at her mothers side.
DEAR MOTHER: I've been thinking to-riSh,
kow long IL is since left home. never thoa=hs
IL would be so long. really didn't, when 1 rot
Into a pet and came OF. And IL I've won
lered once why 1 did il I've wondered 4
thousand times, for ] haven't in all these
tlree years seen any place that was quite up "a
"a never find any body like you and father ana
kusy
There's another thing I've been wondering
and that's whether you want TO see such q
Cood-for-nothing as me there again"
A little sob came from mother. and
susan paused in alarm
''Go on" motioned the doctor
But I'm most sure you do and I'm coming
home, mother. 1t won't be so very long before
you see me I've learned lot of lessons silcc
left and the one I've learned the best Is that
, ny boy who goes around the world hunting -
4 better place than home Is simpleton. So
( m coming to be your boy again And II you
> ont IND that can be comfort TO you ana
.ather and Susy, why, all you do is 70 send
me away again
..Her feverll be up again." said Susy,
bending over her mother in fiutter of
10Y and anxiety
But there was a smile on mothers
face and light of hope and peace in
her eyes which had long been wanting
there.
Thank Cod she whispered. MY
boys coming home"
And when James very soon followed
his letter he held his breath at learn
ing how very near he had come to find
ing desolate home, and thankfully re-
joiced in the blessed privilege of win
ming his mother back to health and
happiness.
There are many boys who put off the
and Homecoming until
too late--Sydney Dayre, in n. Y. OBJ
server.
Not Serious.