Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-08-27


gintleman is, already, and it's mesilf
wouldn't bother with all thin jabber-
ing Frenchmen."
Maurice was desperate.
"Oh, pleased" he said. Beg, Barney;
you beg, too"
The little dog sat up at once with
dropping paws.
Sure, me own names Barney. And
is your dogs name O'Reilly, too?" said
the sentry.
"Oh, if he is your namesake," ex-
claimed Barney, you must let him in!
Oh, see, you can hold him while I go
in" Maurice thought no one could re-
sist such an offer.
"Tll see," said the soldier, and he
stepped within, and. returning, said:
go on"
Maurice yielded up Barney and
stepped into the hall, went along it
and paused just inside an open door.
He was trembling. A voice said: What
is your errand? ga voice even grave
and rather severe.
Maurice raised his eyes. Just before
the fireplace stood that great COM
mander; to the boys excited thought
he seemed even larger than he was.
What is your errand, my lad?" said
he again, with a note of command in the
tone.
"Oh, my father-my father!" he said.
81 have been lost from him so very
long!"
Something in the thrilling child's
voice, something in the piteous and for
lorn expression of his face went
straight to the warm heart that the
general carried beneath his calm eX-
terror. He crossed the room in quick
strides, and, laying his hand on th{
boys shoulder, said, kindly:
my poor child"
This was too much. Maurice had
borne bravely the long strain of wait
ing, the repeated disappointments, but
the unexpected sympathy broke down
his self-possession. He put his head in
the crook of his arm and sobs came
fast, sobs that shook him from head to
foot. The general drew him aside, sat
down in an armchair, and, taking the
little hanging hand in his own, said:
There. there, stop crying and tell me
all about it,"
Maurice choked down his sobs and
told his story. At his fathers name
the general rose quickly.
Col. Terraine's son! Why, then
your father was here short time ago
he may be upstairs now!"
Maurice forgot even the great chief
and sprang for the door. But Wash
ington caught him by the arm.
my dear boyle does not know
will 60" ..
Maurice stood still in the center Of
the room and pressed his hands hard
together. The general went out and
upstairs; it seemed to Maurice that he
stepped very slowly.
Col. Tcrraine sat in an upstairs room
writing; he laid down his pen and rose
as the general entered.
Colonel" said Washington, 81 hate
some wonderful news for you" He
paused; the officer took step for
ward and opened his lips, but did not
speak. .....-r.
Come downstairs with me-" con,
tinued The general, slowly, land remem.
Der as you go that passage in the
Scriptures: But the father said: Let
us be merry, for this my SON. - Col.
Terraine caught the back of chair
for this my son" went on the
sweet, grave voice, "'was dead, and is
alive again; he was lost and is found"
Col. Terraine stood an instant with
wide, questioning eyes; then he rushed
through the doorway and down the
stairs. The general followed him quick
ly. There was loud cry as the colonel
entered the room and Maurice sprang
into his fathers arms. Gen. Washing
ton closed the door and stood guard
over it himself. Barney, having es-
capped from the soldier, tore in, and the
general stopped from his great height
to pat the little dog. If Barney had
been man he would have seen that
there were tears in the bright blue eyes-