Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-01-14

began to lift themselves, daring to
freshen in the sunshine. But they never
put into overshape the satisfaction which
enlivened them.
maybe if I'd been different to what
l was-more stern-like and pushing
your father wouldn't ever hev give way
to drink" breathed Mrs. Hicks, staring
| into the fire.
"No one could have been any kinder
than you was, mother"
al was rale short to him the night he
went. Ed. You said some things, too,
that---oh, dearl l amt resignated to
think maybe he's cold and hungry!
Ed pocketed his hands with sudden
sense Of gloom.
1t was not pleasant fancy. He hated
to think even a straug gers dog might be
abroad on night when black skies
housed a bowling wind and barren trees
wrung their empty hands to the stress
of 1t.
In spite of himself he seemed to see
leaning old shape buffe.ed by that raw
sweep, its gray beard Knocked by bleal
gusts. The cheer of the rag-cirpeted
kitchen was like bright stretca upon
whicl a series OF dark pictures came and
went, pictures always of the sane aged
figure, bent with burden OF shameful
years. 1t stretched out feeble hands,
begging bread of hard-faced farer in
city way. 1t crouched for shelter in
some noisone door. 1t looked fro n
prison bars, it slept in hedges, always
with the peculiar plthoi upon it of sin!
long past aud bitterly atonei.
Lizzie's soft laugh rang out In the
hall. Tnere was whispering. She
was bidding her lover good night.
Ell sat with his heal IN his hands.
His mother stared into the fire with a
gray face.
OWLS going to eat Sun lays dinner
with u.s." cred Lizzie, bursting into
the room. "Why-why, what's the
matter with you two9'
ave just happened to get talking
about father. wish knew where he
is explained E /, striking away the
sombre panorama from his dlsIiking
eyes.
But somehow the voiceless actor in
these dramas OF woe had peculiar
insistence. He was not to be bani.hed.
Measuring muslins in the store next
day Ell Hicks was constantly sensible
of a miserable presence, which went
through tho piteous enactment of the
night before.
perhaps he's deli!' surmised the
young man. dead -huddled under
the clois Of pauper's grave" The
idea, carrying a weight of conjunction,
ringed a new glory round old Hicks
brow. ~ wish 20 the Lord hadn't
spoke to him like did the night he
left" unused his son.
Ga Saturday night Lizzie hal gone to
some ueighborhood festival with her
lover. Ed, coming in late from the
store, was hanging his overcast behind
the door. His mother stood shaking a
dipperful OF corn over the blaze.
"You set right down aud eat this
while it is hot, Eddie. never see corn
pop like it does white as cotton"
Ed stretched his hands over the stove,
watching the leap of the corn fakes.
Mrs. Hicks bent a glance of inquiry
toward the house trout.
THAT wasn't step, was itl" she de-
batcd.
A rap thunderei upon the door panel
"Some of the boys" said E |. az half
promised to look III on the candy pull.
ing at Howe's tonight. Reckon they've
come To- he flung the door wide.
1t disclosed a psrallelogram of snow,
white earth, ripping along its upper
part with star facetted gray sky. A bare
sapliug at the gate, the glow of a fire in a
window over the way, the ring and
clamor of sleigh full of young folks
passing in the strect-all this made an
indefinite setting to the figure on the
step.
1t Was not bowed, wretched figure
with hollow eyes and blowing strands of
ashen air. 1t was mean enough, in its
ragged clothes, a limp hat jammed over
its brow, but despite these slgas Of fallen
fortunes it stood upright aud rotund, the
mottled red Of its puffy cheeks reached
out and trimming Its heavy nose IN
scarlet.
In the hanging. bibulous mustaches
hung the old Bohemian air. The eyes
rollicked. The unsteady knees had
something isunty in their advance.
The prodigsl had come home. He en-
tered the house with a step of smiable
assurance, anticipating the fatted calf
with a tolerant nostrii. He had dotted
the willows of exile for holiday green
aud his mar ner was that of one who
realizes q certain delight in forgiveness
"Yes, I'm back" he conceded making
himself at ease in the rocking chair.
''rhis time OF year a fellow feels like he
owed something 20 his family, even if
they amt treated him just straight.
never was man to cherish ill-feelings
Forgive aud forget is my motto. Well,
Ed you're big boy. Looking fine.
Whar's L zziel Cute little trick, that
Hehf gone out Well, I'll be here
when she comes in. A mans place is
with his folks. rm going to bury by
cones.
His wife, brewing tea, holding up
bread tn toast, was moved with anguish
that her heart had given no other token
of joy snd gratitude than might be en-
CO ,npassed in cold sinking.
The prodigal, unaffected by the ST.
lence, the spasmodic remarks, the flush
Jugs aud palings of the two who piled
him with remorseful attentions, rsmbled
cheerlully on. At ~ of the clock hs
announced himself dead on his feet
and reads toi bad.