Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-06-29
ANN's HOME COMING.
BY ELrzApETH c. snrrMAN.

FREQ hODerJS Tfdu long DSch Oho
yagabond of the Bevinsville district OF
Barclay. He knew this himself, but
he had never felt 1t so strongly as to-
day, when Ann was coming home.
Homel What home? He had not re-
allied that he had lived from house to
house, six months at one place, a
twelvemonth at another, ever since
he had come down in the world, which
was so far back that he did not care to
count the years. The mistress of the
house where he was now living
brought to the door of his room pile
of clean, warm clothing, and spoke to
him kindly.
"Now, MIR. Roberts, / want to see
you go fix yo'se'f up nice and genteel.
These are some things I've been get
Tin ready 'gainst Ann come home.
Just do yo' best to look spry, and I'll
send old Uncle Josh in to trim yo' hair
little bit"
He murmured his thanks, his hands
shaking as he took the garments.
"Don't mention it, Mr.. Roberts," she
went on, coming into the room to poke
Abe dying fire I'm not forgettin' that
the child started away from this house.
can't help thinlSin' about her. She was
such peart little creature when she
away. An now you say she can just
pick up and play anything she wants
to-"
She looked at the old man to empha-
size the remark. He turned one trem-
ulous hand over the other slowly, and
could think of nothing else to say than
"Yes."
He was longing to cross to the man
tel-piece and take draught from the
SQUAT, brown bottle which stood there.
Then he would be able to answer, yet
heknew he must not drink to-day. Mrs.
jackson saw the glance of desire, and
felt constrained to speak, her voice
deepening under the consciou sness of
solemn advice.
"Oh, pray, Mr.. Roberts, don't touch
a drop. 1t would make Ann ashamed,
indeed, TO see her father in drink to-
day."
1t vexed him to think Ann was COM
ing home to shameful father; Ann
who used to love him, faults and all, as
no one else could. If he could only
free his tongue from its parnlyzing
dryness. His bent head and folded
hands suggested a humility that al
most turned Mrs. Jackson from her
mission.
''Ann, you know, is not the same
child she was. She is young lady
now, an expects to find her fnther
different from what he was. don't
reckon she can stand havin' bottles
anywhere but on the sideboa'd
trained up as she's been by anyone
rs strict an set in their ways as yo
sister Now, don't yo' reckon so
too?"
''Yes," he assented. The remem
brance of his sister came into hi
mind and brought with 1t sense %
self-abasement. But he inwardly re
pudiated any thought of change ii
Ann.
When the door closed man walked
toward the fireplace, feeling as h'
went that he was bowed and shabby
A glance in the wavering surface of hi
dim shaving mirror confirmed the sen
sation. Shaggy gray hair stood ou
around lined face, ruddy naturally
red now, and glazed from exposure ant
drink. He stood pulling at his locks
at one minute deciding that the,
needed to be trimmed, at anothe
striving to recall how he looked whel
Ann went away ten years ago. ii
could not remember. No need to re
call her face. 1t was before him ever,
instant. But how did he appear in he
eyes? Was he as degraded; as di
sheveled? We're his hands as rigid; a
SCARED; were they ashesitating; or ha
Shis come to him during the ten years
And Ann, during the ten years, ha
been ascending till she stood like sta
above him. Her letters showed hiI
that. He had one in his hand no,
which he opened and looked at, striN
ing to put together the unlsempt
lnotherly little child he had knowr
and these clear elegant characters
He turned resoIutely to dress, an
fought down his feeling. The clothe
were fresh and well-ftting, and h
could not help thinking that he locke
more ''genteel," as Mrs. Jackson sale
In the white starched shirt and dar
trousers. A rap sounded upon tn
door, and. closely following it, al
peared Uncle Josh with the implement
OF his trade. He gave an obsequior
laugh.
'Lawd Almighty, Mr.. Robbuts, sui
I'clar didn't know you. You look {
young"
''This hair don't look so youn;
Uncle Josh. / reckon you'll have
give it right good cropping"
''Dat's so, sub. Pears LAX ha'r de-
days tu'ns gray mighty soon."
"Seems to me like I've been gray q
my life. Was it this gray ten yea
hgo2"
'No, suh," answered the old negr
emphatic ally. "When Miss Ann w
sent away, yo' ha'r was as black
coal"
He tucked the towel around the net
OF the victim and was running his fl
gers through the abundant gray ma
before him, preparatory to his wor