The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-01-19

1 AZ was uot DOWcu, wretChcd ngur'
with hollow eyes and blowing strands o.
ashen air. II was mean enough, in IL
ragged clothes, limp hat jammed owe
its brow, but despite these signs Of fallet
fortunes it stood upright and rotund, tn,
mottlcd red of its puffy checks reached
out and rimming its heavy nose iv
scarlet.
In the hanging, bibulous mustachel
hung the old Bohemian air. The eve,
tollicked. The unsteady knees had
something jaunty in their advance.
The prodigal had come home. He en-.
tered the house with step of amiable
assurance, anticipating the fat,cd call
with a tolerant nostri. lie had doiTed
the willows OF exile for holiday green
aud his manner was that of one who
realizes certain delight in forgiveness.
YES, I'm back" he conceded making
himself at case in the rocking chair.
"fnis time OF year fellow feels like he
owed something 20 his family, even il
they amt treated him just straight. ]
never was a man to cherish ill-lccings.
Forgive aud forget is my motto. Well,
Ed! you're big boy. Looking fine
Whar's Lizzic3 Cute little trick, that
Heh' gone out Well, I'll be here
when she comes in. A mans place is
with his folks. I'm going to bury by.
cones.
His wife, brewing tea. holding un
bread to toast, was moved with anguish
that her heart had given no other token
OF JOY and gratitude than might be en-.
composed in a cold sinking.
The prodigal, unaffected by the 81.
lence, the spasmodic remarks, the flush.
ings aud paIings OF the two who piled
him with remorseful attentions, ramblei
cheeriuly on. At II of the clock he
announced himself "dcad on his feet
and ready for bed.
just on tlc stroke Lizzie came. call.
ing out some word to young Ralcy as he
shut the gate.
She came in, all the pretty color going
swiftly from her checks, all the frosty
brightness qucnched her eyes at sight of
the massy figure greeting her in joviaI
tone as sdau1htcr.
The three people who were left in the
room whca the new comer had yawned
himself of to bed, stood dunbly looking
ut aud away from each other. Lizzie,
face, white as a white rose just uuhooicd
struggled with tears.
"Will III be here all day to morrow"
she brcathci. ale hes never seen
father Ei wheeled round, holding
his lips in. Thcir mother, unfolding
them IN look Of prophetic love, saw
what shame, what possible discontinue
aud ruin lay for them Ia the dark face OF
the future.
Her lips trcnb,ed and the water stood
in her eyes.
ATS late" she said. "Lot US remem.
Der all we got to be grateful for. Your
father amt sick, or in want or dead.
He's come home"
"But there was no prayer in her heart
rs she lay at Lzzie's side, listening to
th';- 1lTys,E ,EsSgear; yigGnf5 'ISs.lh. lWnuh
she woke in the morning it was with a
sense of surprise that she had slept even
little, had been able for an hour or two
to bind slumber upon her paning eyes.
1t was full day. Lizzie was already
up and gone down stairs.
Across the pancs a saow helped beech
branch contorled itself like u stem Of
rough coral. Behind it she saw u blank
sky which seemed to her to wear the
ye.y look she felt her face assuming,
look that mus, hide all hint OF doubt auj
fear.
She got up with faItering knees and
went downstairs. Tncy appeared strange.
ly steep, yelturous descent for one
whose eye took Il suggestion OF unrcality
from their very slope.
Lizzie was setting the table. Her
lashcs glin.ei up a morning glauc, as
her mother unntchod the door. Then
she aycrted them quickly, with look at
her brother
"Iour father amt up?" said Mrs
Hicks, fecbly, nearing the stove. "SIlke
the coffee strong, Lizzie. He likes it
strong"
"Mothcr," said Ell, suddenly. o.
hate tell youl-but-he's gone, father
has
"Gonel"
"Yes'm."
"Oa just out som'ers! He'll be in
against coffee bolls.
She broke off, shaking, searching his
face for contradition.
mo, nanny. lie won't be back.
He's-well, he's taken my overcoat-
and several little things Of miue-of
course he's welcome TO 'em-but he's
gone for good" His voice rang with .
stifcd JOY.
L.Z1le's eyes beamed under their GOV.
ert Of lashes. In her mothers counte.
nance struggled feeling that broke at
The lips IN q short sob.
There was moments silence, mo.
nent in which Mrs. Hicks felt her eyes
shine with the wild brightness which
like some minister OF grace, the prodiga
had left in his train.
His wife looked at her children. Some.
thing in her glance seemed to beg them
10 disbelieve the rapture she could not
Danish from her face.