The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-25

PtGul.II LUX CdITle lnlO mem almost as
If of recollection.
Wren he cached the foot of the
broad steps that led up - the veranda.
he nailed and after standing wi. h he'd
dowEcast and In deep thougfi. for sew
etal minutes. he half-turned away and
made as If he wou d go back down the
MI. Suddenly he :t~ra.Ehtened up, and
with an expression of determination on
his face so strong as TO give him al
most The bearing of a genilel an, he as.
cended he Steps and lifting the old
knoclter le. 1t fall with a ponderous
bang.
l"e old neg:o who answered the
Knock, at once began a trade delivered
in / :tyle wh.ch long experience had
proven most e1icac.ous In Kidding the
premises OF enterprLsing Migrants. The
iramp's upifted hand and a strange ex-
preston caused him 10 break off IN the
middle of the sentence. II the same
moment The sound OF n woman's voice
came tn ouSh the open door on the
right of the hall.
Bring him into the fire, Homer"
The tramp followed the ancient
da!key across the broad hall and en-
tered the si'-tng-room. An old lady sa.
before the cracking fire, and as he en-
e ed, turned her snow white head to
greet him With more interest than he
was accustomed 10 being accorded.
won't o 1t by the ire?" she said,
IN her swee; voice.
II am not cold" said the man. stand
Ing still in the center of the room,
"Bu: am sure you are hungry" said
the lady; sit down and I will have you
brought something to eat"
II d!d not come for shat" the tramp
said. and he came a step nearer. II
came TO tell you about your SON"
Though her form wa. bowed and the
lines of suffering upon her face plainly
marked the invalid, she sprang to her
fec.
MY son! For Gods. sake tell me
what you know of him. On, tell me-
The tramp did not reply for a mo-
ment. His face. that bore the marks
If so many emotions was strangely
%softencd. When he spoke. his voice
vas hoarse and broken. He told he
he story of Rhodes, the convict, n: !
have tod Il. He '.0ld her how since tina
November night four years befors
when her son had left Judge Dunlop's,
he had been an outcast II 4 wande eI
upon the face of the earth. ever spuyncd
by respectable men, and enduring al
The mental and physical torture o!
which humanity Is capable.
II am his friend. | csme to tell you
for him. He thought o might
like to know. He wa: ashamed to ever
come back. He is :t.Il determined tc
fathers name unfinished"
Does he still live? Oh! bring him
10 me!' she cried. Surely he VII,
come back to his mother. who ha
watched and wcpt and prayed for him
Ill thee years. Oh! can you not bring
him back?"
The tramp was silent. The pa'.hos OF
the lady's pleading and yearning out
stretched arms affected him deeply
He put his hand 10 his eyes for 4 mo-
ment. Then he replied IN a low voice:
'He VIII never come back. I have
bap ri him eyVaa II n thnnsonI ti,,as .
With a low moan. the lady covered
her face with her hands. Her fral
form was shaken by sobs and through
the whp.e fingers the tears fell.
The tramp stood with folded arms
regarding her intently. The expire s!or
of determination on his face and the
strengthening up OF his usually bowed
form, gave him a manly air all new. Ht
turned and went to the door and open.
ed ii. As he stepped over the %hres-
hold an old setter, trot:ing through the
hall approached him !nquisitively.
Charley, old fellow said the tramp
in a low tone.
Win a whine of delight. the dog
prang upon him, and sought 70 lick
mis- cheek.
The tramp hid his face on the dogs
neck for an instant. He lifted his head
and looked into the s!tting-room. Tho
lady's head was still bowed in hei
hands. He heard her weeping.
Hi: set features slowly relaxed and
then q few quick steps brought him
o he side and he dropped down on his
knees.
"Ntc, her!" he said, in a broke
voice.
she uncovered her face and lifted he,
head in astoni;ment Blu. in an in.
slant the light of recognition dawned
in her eyes and the dazzling radiance
If n mothers love shone IN her face as
she threw her arms about his neck.
"Oh. Roy! You have come home al
at last! l have waited so long"
w. E. II.