The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-11-12


James was many years older before
he could fully recognize tho fact that
there Is nothing more heroic than the
persistent standing by the duties, small
or great, of every day life.
Hello Caleb" he cried, '.you'vo
made quick trip" IN
YES said Caleb, still with the
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 of him.
self"
James could not help joining in the
boy's gleeful laugh. -
II wish I felt as you do, Caleb" he
said. *
"I'll tell you what" said Caleb,
with the air of one telling a great Sc
eret, II don't believe there's anything
makes you feel half SO good as doing
something you think you ought to do. y"
mot going to turn imp he asked, re.
turning from the stable, after giving
his little nag faithful care:
mo, I'm going to write a letter."
"l'm glad 'tisn't me-" with an ex-
pressive shake of his head. I'm tired
enough to sleep for q 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
q cold chill of fear that she might
never stand there or anywhere else
again.
For the feet which had taken SO
many steps in loving ministering, which
had SO patiently held to the round OF
small duties laid out by Him who or
ders all our ways, were at last taking q
rest She had been suffering with q
low fever, and the doctor shook his
head with q discouraged face as day
followed day, to be heightened into
week following week, and still the
pulse grew weaker and the faded eye
DINNER.
IF there was anything to rouse her, 81
the old doctor had said, sorely per
picked at the utter lack of result to all
his applied remedies. '"rhere isn't SC
much the matter with her-only lack
of vitality. Nothing seems to touch it. .
He sat with helpless, bafled look
During the latter weeks Susan haG
stolen out on Tuesday for little sea
son of wistful watching for the longed
for letter which had never come. But
to-day she sat still, weighed down by
the burden of dread of what might be-
scarcely hearing the slow rumble Of
the wagon as father drove along the
lane. A few moments later he ap
peared at the door and held up letter
before Susan's eyes. She forgot he,
caution in glad spring. towards him.
"A letter! A letter from james,
She controlled her voice to a whis
per, but mother had been stirred from
her half-stupor, and had opened hel
eyes. The doctor was watching her:
Read it," he said, motioning Susal
to the seat at her mothers side.
DEAR MOTHER: I've been thinking to-nieh
| how long it Is since I left home. never though
it would be so long, really didn't, when l 70
| into pet and came of. And II I've Won
dered once why I did it I've wondered
thousand times, for l haven't in all thes
three years seen any place that was quite up t.
| home. And If I was to stay three times three
I'd never find anybody like you and father an,
Susy.
"There's another thing rye been wondering
and that's whether you want to see such
good nothing as me there again.
A little sob came from mother, ant
Susan paused in alarm.
''Go on" motioned the doctor.
But I'm most sure you do, and I'm coming
home, mother. It won't be so very long befor
you see me. I've learned q lot Of lessons sine
left and the one I've learned the best is tina
any boy who goes around the world hunting TO
better place than home is q simpleton. S
I'm coming to be your boy again. And il yo
don't find that can be q comfort to you an
| father and Susy, why, all you can do is to sem
| me away again"
cher fever'll be up again." said Susy
bending over her mother in flutter O
Joy and anxiety.
But there was smile on mother
face and a light of hope and peace il
her eyes which had long been wantin,
there.
THANK God" she whispered. IN,
boys coming home.''
And when James very soon followe,
| his letter he held his breath at learn
ing how very near he had come to find
ing deso'ate home, and thankfully re
joiced in the blessed privileges of win
| ming his mother back to health an,
happiness.
There are many boys who put off tn,
home-letters and Homecoming unit
too late. -Sydney Dayre, in N. Y. Ob
| server.