The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-28
AROUND THE CORRIDORS.

Frank Priest told story in the dining-room
of the Palace Hotel yesterday that was so full
of pathos and real life that his listeners almost
wept. 1t appears that Mr.. Priest. before he got
to be successful merchant. was inclined to the
run-away-from-home habit. His first ex-
perience is pest told in his own words:
att will never be forgotten by me just how
happened to run away from home the first
time, and incidentally recall how glad was
to get back. Ny father once gave me lesson
in spelling and locked me up in my room so
that could learn it without being disturbed
by the noisy neighbors. We had awful noisy
neighbors where l used to live in Vermont.
Well, studied a few moments and concluded
that confinement was not the right thing for a
boy of my Importance, SO l quietly slid out of
the window and got over the Lack fence. 1t
was about sunset and l took it into my head
that the soft glow of the summer evening was
very much like the whole world would seem
to me If got up and left the parental roof al
together.
81 was barefooted and my clothing consisted
of little waist upon which was buttoned my
trousers. Indian summer weather you know.
All the boys went barefooted and ived-yes,
lived. thought the whole matter over care
fully while concealed behind woodpile, and
decided that q hard hearted parent, who
wanted his son to study in summer. was too
much for me. 1 came to a conclusion and,
without further psrley with myself, struck out
for the woods by foot path. Where was go
ing? No where in particular. Only running
away. Any place but the old homestead
81 trudged on, and in on hour the night be-
gan to fall. The shadows of the maple trees
heightened out and lost themselves in the
dark corners of the forest Overhead through
the swaying branches the stars began to ap-
pear, and light breeze soughed through the
treetops, dying away in the distance with a
melancholy moan. Far away to my right q
boot owl called TO its mate on the left, and
soon began to feel as though the whole place
was alive with birds and beasts calling con-
Yention for the purpose of disposing of me.
"Ihe night grew darker and darker and the
forest seemed deeper and deeper. Only occa-
sionally then was able to catch the twinkle
OF star, and the wind moaned on like some
human voice telling me to beware of the dark
ness Every Iwig stepped on snapped like
pistol shot, and my bare legs were scratched
by coming in contact with the thistles and
low vines. Before had gone mile further
found myself plunged in the most eternal
darkness and nothing but the beating of my
own heart came to my ears. I thought of the
well-lighted sitting-room at home, mother,
father, sister. Horrors l became paralyzed
with fear. Ny wide-opened and tear-stained
eyes sought the darkness for some familiar
sign, some evidence of life, but the whole
world seemed to be shut out, and I was alone.
Presently in the distance saw the faint flash
OF light that comes from an open window. 1t
took shape and l distinctly saw the figure of a
little girl pass before it. There 1t was.
human habitation, and the lights were begin
ming to shine as the lamps were lit one by one.
81 was near farmhouse and there was some
one alive in the world beside myself. With
great caution, but with much JOY, picked my
way through the trees and crawled up to the
window like a professional burglar. Slowly
raised myself to the sill and peeked in. There
was scene that would make your eyes water
little girl was seated on a earpet-stooI eating
piece of bread and molasses, which I took in
greedily with my eyes. After she had finished
1t she wiped her hands on the stool and walked
over 70 a little cottage melodeon that stood in
the corner and played, There Is No Place Like
Home with one finger.
Gentlemen, that was the straw on the
camels back and broke down and cried as
only homesick child can. My sobs brought
the people of the house out and was taken in
and put to bed. About O'Clock my father
came along with some searchers and gently,
but firmly, carried me back to the scene of nv
childhood. In the morning, after he had re-
covered from the shock OF almost losing his
baby boy, oh, say, gentlemen, he didn't do a
thing to me-"