Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-10-07
LITTLE SUNSHINE.

was addressed to Claude Medfield, BY
his friend Paul Hawthorn.
Trouble Of my own, was Claude's
quick reply. Paul felt little hurt by
the answer he received. but said: your
trouble is mine. dear friend, why not
tell mel
Claude looked up into Paul's face and
he felt that he had a friend that he
could trust. I will tell you, but you
are the first person to whom I ever
mentioned my past life Claude cleared
his desk (for he was lawyer) and be.
gan.
Five years ago today I was the hap.
piest man that ever lived. I was mar.
ried to one Of the sweetest girls in the
world, we lived very, very happy for
two years. when little stranger came.
She was pretty blue eyed baby and
our home should have been complete,
but not SO. I loved my little wife very
dearly, but she did not seem to love me
as she did before baby came. began
to spend one evening week at the
club, then two. and finally spent every
night there. Poor little Vera, she
would ask me to stay at home one night
and would say: You take care Of that
baby and you will have enough to do.
1t went from bad to worse. and one
night when I stayed out we had quar-.
rel and I left, and have not seen my
darling since.
OPaul, have repented thousand
times Of my rash act. / left Denford
that night and did not return for a year.
made up my mind to return to my
wife and baby and be happy again. but
when got back they were gone, no one
seemed to know where. I have hunted
for them ever since, but can find no
trace of them. o, Vera, Veral my dar.
ling wifel ! have been Justly punished.
And his whole frame shook. Resting
his head on his hands the tears fell
thick and fast. There were tears in
Paul's eyes when he said:
1T will all come right some day, dear
friend; live in hopes I do live in hopes,
Paul, and I hope and pray that some
day my wife and baby will be returned
to me, and then my trouble will be
over.
There was silence for few moments,
when Paul said, looking at his watch:
1t is almost dinner time. Are you CO.
ing down the street,
YES he said, and getting his hat,
the two friends started, Paul to his
home and family and Claude to the
hotel. The two men parted at Twelfth
street. Claude had not gone more than
a block when he heard child crying
Looking around. be saw little child
about three years old. Going up to her
he said kindly: What is the matter,
my dear? But when the little girl
looked up into his face he started back.
There was only one person whom he
had ever seen with eyes like hers, and
that was his wife. Il am lost and can t
find my mamma; please take me to her,
for Sunshine loves her mamma and
the tears flowed down her cheeks like
rain.
what is your mammals name, little
one?'
Mamma calls me her Sunshine; my
name is Prudence. l was named for
my grandma
Claude started more than ever.
What is your mammals name?'
oh, her name is just mamma, and |
guess my papa is dead. never did see
him since I can remember. He left me
and mamma long time ago. Poor
mamma. she says if it was not for me
abe doesn't know what she would do.
She cries most all the time, and when
ask her what she is crying for she just
hugs me tight and says: MY little
Sunshine cant understand
The little one had forgotten she was
Iost, she was so busily engaged in talk.
ing. but on thinking of it she said
Please take me home, won't your
Taking the little girl in his arms, he
aaid: Would you know your home if
you should see it, my dearT
oh, yes; mamma has lots Of flowers
IN the yard, and I 'spect she will be
looking for me, too
Very well, then; we will walk down
his way
They had no sooner started than a
woman came walking rapidly up the
walk.
oh, there is nv mammal and the
title girl clapped her hands gleefully
md said:
Here sunshine and mamma; this
nice, good man was bringing me home.