The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1896-10-31

bly,, "that knew all about It -
He tould me to tell you that If you
went there and called out my dads
name three times, the lost would be
found, an dad would come back to us
again."
|. Old Shaun had risen and was trem-
bling tha Eol his i%aek'luster eyes fixed ed upon
"Wil We go to the fairy~trec, grant,
dad" demanded the boy.
For! a. minute the farmers face
seemed to light up; then the old gloom.
sresettled upon it, and he sank back
upon the oaken settee. ~. r.
,'"Tis an ould wife's tale, avick,'' he
said. +" y st Eyer father is gone for
ever, I'm afeared." =.
Young Shaun stumped across to. the.
settce and put Il arm around the
%supburned neck. ,..5 =
rate" lie cried. Say yell thry it,
grandad."
AT. first old Shaun could not be per-
suaded; but the boys simple faith
finally conquered, and it was finally
settled that the twain should make the
journey to the ''Tree O. the Lost Chill
dren" that very night.
"Though tits a wild goose chase"
grumbled the old farmer, IAN how
ye're goih' to get there an back on, yer
crutches, avick, is more nor l can
tell i,
"N%abocklishw lightly answered
young Shaun, joyous at having carried
his point. Il. al get there on my two
crutches, gran'dad; an'-an' sure may.
be therell be dad himself to carry me
honle."
But old Shaun shook his head sadly,
and a great tear rolled down the
ridges of his time-worn cheek.
1t was about the fui! of the moon
that night that the two 'Shauns. the
old man and his crippled grandson,
clambered over the rude stile and
slowly assembled the mountain road.
Young Shaun hobbled manfully on
ward and upward; for hope lent him q
third crutch to aid his steps But old
Shaun walked as one in, a dream, with
bent headand laboled gait.
The distance was not long; and pres
emily they stood side by side upon the
breezy heath, from which rose an an
Gent ''rath.'' or deserted fort. grass
grown and, like all. ratlls,. reputed to
be the nightly launts of elf and fay.
Overhead the stars twin lled *.b1lithely,
and the: queenly orb of night, ';Mnovin1g
fear her highest noon," told them that
the moment for Their appeal:to,.tlle
fairy tree was at hSnd. I.:i%.
Slowly somewhat fearfullF they
passed through the protecting. belt Of
heather. towards that side of the rath
from which, black against the. .moon-
light, they could see the rugged
branches of. the thorn tree, the .::'Iree
O. the Lost Children" Here and there
a hare, startled from it's form, set
young, Shaun's heart humping vigor-
ously; or the call of a screech owl
made him almost wish he had not
come on this midnight Journey.
AT length they reached the tree, and
the old farmer, removing his caubeen,
and solemnly lifting his eyes to the
starry heavens, repeated three times
the words:
".shaun, my son, l implore you to re:
turn. ="
There was a: rustling among the
and q stalwart figure leaped into: the
open. =.
81 am here-'' cried a voice. and: :.twt
brawny arms rested lovingly on old
Shaun's shoulders. :.
The gray-haired farmer shuddered
violently, and must have fallen had
not those same strong hands held lin
up. Then he stared into the face :.ot
the new conner.
Don't We know me, father?"s OK
claimed this very. palpable appar;tion;
and then, at last, old Shaun found
voice. -
"'Tis my boy!!" he cried. "'Tis my
lost Shaun And, falling upon: his
sons neck, like the king in the old 81
BILE story, he wept for very joy.
But young Shaun hobbled forward
and. plucked the old man who held his
granfather by the sleeve.
"Sure, ye're the same that spoke: to
ME by the. dyke, beyond!" he faltered.
"Aye, avick," answered old Shaun's
son. "'Twas myself, sure enough. l
wanted to learn.if you and your old
gran'dad here really wanted. me back
again" =
Then, raising the old mans head ten
derly,, he whispered: We'll cure his
crooked les vet, father. Ills plenty O
money I've, been making all these
years in America beyond; but now I'll
come home to spend my, days and my
dollars with you and the boy. 'Tis'the
FINEST surgeons in the land he'll have;
IN a grand man we'll make of him
t:entirelY." :a:
Old Shaun smiled through his tears.
"Just. the,same as ever" he said; my
own, %light-hearted Shapn"f. -:
/ Young Shaun was right when he de-
clared that his return home: would be
easy on that eventful night. His new
found father carried him all the! way
to the farm house door. from the lucky
"Trce o. the Lost Children ."-Denver
Republican.
Insects: Injurious to Corn.
An abstract Of the. seventh annual re
port Of Prof. Forbes, state entomolo-
nist Of Illinois has inst heen nrlliSled