The morning call., 1893-06-25
AFTER TWENTY YEARS.
A Brother and Sister, Separated in
Australia, Meet Again.


st. Paul Pioneer Press.
Twenty years ago A. j. Munford and his
pretty little sister were playmates in the city of
Melbourne, Australia. They had been devoted
companions since infancy and where one went
there could be found the other. One was a
blonde, the other brunette, and each pos
sessed cheerful, sunny disposition. Living in
a Charming home, surrounded with all the
iuxuries that heart could desire, and blessed
with kind and considerable parents, life seemed
to go very smoothly for The young people, and
they were happy and apparently contented.
But In the young lads nature there
lurked desire to roam and see The
VOL As tue years sped this feel
Ing began 10 assert itself, and The little sister
listened 10 her brothers. stories and expressions
with ill-conceaed alarm. When he told her
That some day he would leave her and the folks
at home she was greatly distressed. He loved
his lttle sister dearly, but that disposition TO
see the great things the world offered would
not down. There came day when The sisters
tears flowed and there was no k ind. considerate
brother TO kiss them away. One morning III
September, as the sun rose over The city of
Melbourne the startling announcement was
made at tile Munford breakfast table that the
young Lad was not in his room ana his bed had
not been dlstu bed In the night. Little was
thought of IL al the time. for the lad had fire.
Quently absented himself from home on hunt
ing expeditions for days al a time. That care
full little sister, however, made Investigations
all by herself and confirmed her own
fears that the brother had at last car
ried into effect the threat he had fire.
quently made to her. That he had al
last sailed beyond the seas she was certain,
and as the Gays heightened into weeks the
family were forced 10 accept her version of The
boys absence, Every effort was made to find
him, but in vain. Months passed by and no
word Came from the absent one. Time in its
flight soothedsthe sisters wounds and brought
her upon the threshold of womanhood. Twenty
years were numbered since the boy had disap-
peared and the family muurned him as dead.
The little sister. now woman grown. was
woOed ana won by an English merchant After
living happily III England for a time they set
sai for tour OF The New World. They ar
rived IN New YORK several weeks ago, Mr.. and
Mrs. L. &. Cummings, and registered from
Dover, England. They made tour of the
Eastern cities and then moved on toward the
Pacific Coast. There they reveled in the
sunshine OF California and explored the
wonders OF the West. Then in due
ney and reached st. Paul. All this time
Mrs. Cummings had not ceased 10 think of her
brother. She had never believed him dead.
DE had told her he was going to America. and
she wondered II she would ever see him here.
Mrs. Cummings and her husband retired TO
their room Immediately upon their arrival 10
remove the stains Of travel previous To going 10
breakfast Ten minutes later, when they en-
tered the dlning-room the sad story that had
Its beginning in Australia found happy eud
ing in ST. Paul. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings seated
themselves al the table and the husband called
for morning prayer and began 10 read. Like
most ladies', Mrs. Cummings allowed her eyes
to wander idly over the room. Suddenly she
uttered slight cry of astonishment and half
rose In her chair.
what in the world is the matter dear?"
asked her husband In some alarm, for his wie's
face was white as a sheet aud her eyes were
staring. Mr.. Cummings followed the direction
OF her gaze and was as onished 10 see gentle
man on The other side OF the room, who also
seemed 10 be laboring under some violent emo
ton. Suddenly the gentleman arose and walked
rapidly TO the Cummings table, aud then the
dignitied English husband WAS astonsbed to
sec his wife and tn stranger throw their arms
about each other and Indulge in a most atfec-
Tomato kiss. he heard the words "brother"
and SISTER," and then knew that the brother
his wife had long mourned as dead was there
before him IN life. IL was a happy meeting.
Both brother and sister were overcome with
emotion. They could not could not conceal
their feelings, and the scene WAS an affecting
one. The story OF the romantic union spread
through the dining-rOom with mysterious rapid
ity, and during the entire meal the reunited
brother and sister were the objects OF a curious
though courteous Interest 10 guests ana wait
Since Mir. Muntoid LETT Australia fortune
had smird freely upon him, and lie now returns
10 his native land wealthy man.