The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-10-13

1orDluulng mouse, Where they would
never hear a gentle word or know a
caress. Their hearts would break, for
they had never been away from me a
night; and oh, how loved my chill
dren. In my illness l could not pro-
test, and they took Enoch and Eliza
beth to the poor-house, and baby and
I to fathers. After severe sickness
1 grew better and went to serve as
lady's maid to Lord Kingsworth's
wife. "Oh, grandma, where was
grandpa all this timei l know he
did come back, for 1 remember him
WE'LL" Well, dear, that night he left
me he hid himself in boat, and
when safely out of harbor worked his
way on shipboard. His lot was hard
one, and when he landed at New Or
leans he was nearly dead from over
work and insufficient food. In little
while he began to work for a wealthy
trader and in short time began
trading for himself. He was greatly
prospered and bought small trad
ing vessel loaded it with produce and
started along the coast of Texas. He
has often told me how hopeful and
proud he felt as he realized that soon
he could come back to us and have
plenty of money to supply all our
wants. think his pride was pard-
enable, dear,-but terrible storm
came up one night and the boat was
wrecked, and James, after terrible
fight with the water, was cast up on
the coast of Texas. Again he was
penniless.
A boat took him up, and again
working his passage, we was carried
up the Mississippi to Vincennes, In
diana. Again he worked hard, and
in time earned enough to buy another
small trading vessel, stocked it with
produce, and started back to Texas.
He stopped short time at Galveston,
and then started up the interior,
trading for furs with the Indians.
Again hope filled his heart. He knew
that in short time he would have
sufficient to return to us, and as his
furs were of great value, would leave
more than enough to make us COM
Portable. AS he was going back
where the old ship sunk two years
before, he said to his mate, 81 would
like to moor the boat, and go over to
the place where I lost so much" Your
grandfather was always very senti-
mental man. "I'd like something to
take back to Margaret of the old hulk"
Leaving man to watch the boat, the
others started along the coast to see
if any trace could be found of the old
boat. Alas! The Indians were watch
ing the precious cargo, and as soon
as James was out of sight, they came
down, overpowered the man, stole
the furs, the provisions, everything;
and your grandfather came back to
find his hopes dashed to the ground
the second time. For. forty-eight
hours they were without food, and at
last, nearly famished, they reached
Galveston, well-nigh despairing. A
long illness was brought about by
this exposure and disappointment,
during which time he said hethought
he could never gather courage again
to go forward. But with returning
health he went to work with will,
and in time had enough to return to
England.
"How long was he gone from you,
grandma?" I asked.
Four years, lacking one month.
came home from my work one day,
she continued, and as soon as came
in / saw the JOY in mothers face.
"Have you heard from Jamesp l
asked eagerly. There is no letter,
Margaret" said father, do you still
think him alive9 And, Margaret, tell
me, after this long desertion would
you go with him if he should come
back?" Gather" l cried, Don't say
such a thing" Then as if l had di-
vined it, I sprang past my father, and
ran to my little room, and in a mo-
ment was folded in my husbands
arms. The baby with questioning
eyes stood by protesting. "Where
are the others, Margaret" said James.
"Did they not tell you7" said l, and
in whisper told him. SIN the poor
house, James, 1 couldn't help it. They
have only been there month. Only
God knows how it broke my heart"
Hastily putting down the baby, he
said, "My poor wife, how you have
suffered. l am going after them,"
and hurried away.
AS he approached the cold, barren