The morning call., 1892-05-01

heater. in the smoker, think be told me.
Thus they managed to make meager living,
and, travelling back and forth north of Sac
ramentO, he hoped some day, if Johnnie
was in the land OF the living, to meet him,
but he was afraid his boy was dead, for he
bad been out here nearly four years and
hadn't found him yet.
! had a sort OF idea he would find Johnnie
some day-such scapegraces don't die easily,
and everybody turns up sooner or later in
California, but l. had no idea that 1t would
be very soon, or that the meeting, when 1t
took place, would greatly strengthen th Q
fathers pride in his son..
l was, therefore, not a little surprised, on
one Of my trips, when MY old friend has
tened to tell me, as soon as he saw me. that
johnnie was at home now, with him and
mother.
Mother was that pleased" he said. "she
could hardly let the boy out of sight"
And has he made f0rtune?" | asked.
| was sorry for my question when | saw
how Loyalty 1t was parted. mo, Johnnie
hadn't been successful. lie had never been
strong, and the climate had told on him. He
feared johnnie was not long for this life,
but he and mother were that glad to have
him home"
learned from him that he had at last
met his son on the train. Had not known
him, but the latter had recognized hi m and
claimed relationship He had been sick a
long time, and had almost forgotten about
his early life and home said the fever had
driven all remembrance of it from his mind.
He had lost all his money: he could not tell
how, but supposed he had been robbed
while he was sick. The poor old man actu-
ally shed tears as he told me Of his sons
sufferings.
Well,' could only be glad the old man
was pleased, and hoped Johnnie would be a
comfort to them now he had returned, but
as nearly as could make out he had since
coming home only lived on the old peoples
scanty earnings.
The next trip / took was my last, and
epriously enough johnnie was OF the train.
'He wasn't strong" his father said, depre-
catingy, ''and needed a change. There
wasn't much going on in their little town,
and he and mother weren't much company
for the poor boy"
saw the poor boy" standing on the
platform of the smoker, which was next to
the car | sat in. A stalwart fellow, VIII o
did not look 80 this old man told me his
son was 40 or more. He looked utterly un-
like his father, and was altogether as ras-
eally appearing chap as l ever care to see
LaZiness. selfshness, brutality, dissipation
were written all over his face.
Perhaps the fond father surmised that
did not like the young hopeiuls looks, for
he said:
Il never saw anybody so much changed.
This climates been ard on the poor boy"
He sometimes dropped an aspirate when
excited.
/ had another glimpse Of Johnnie as l
was eating my lunch in the ear while we
stopped at the dining station. He was
standing on the station platform talk
ing very vigorously to the old man,
who shook his head earnestly and seemed
much distressed. Finally Johnnie pointed
ever his shoulder, with one thick thumb,
toward the car where 1 sat, and presently
the old man came in and explaining that he
must make purchase. asked me to settle
for my luncheon. He usually collected
when he cleared away. | gave him the
quarter and saw him give it to the young
man, who disappeared with it behind the
swinging door of a convenient saloon. Just
before the train started he reappeared,
smoking pipe. ana went into the smoking
car. did not see either him or the old
NAH again, and it is several years since |
last travelled that route, but have never
caterer had really found his son.
ADELINE Il. KNAPP. :