The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1899-08-10

~A" Wnat seemed 10 me
to be the breath OF
freedom. All our companions had
gone their several ways to see relatives
end friends who had believed them to
be dead. Even Tom Wren had left us.
He had two sisters in Devon, to whom
1t was right he should go without de-
lay; but it was only by strong per-
suasion that he was induced to leave
his fairy Pearl, and it was arranged
that he should come TO us at Christ
mas, wherever we might happen to be.
"And this is Dondon" said Pearl,
gazing about her in wonder. Mother
used often to speak of it. Daddy,
shouldn't like to be left here alone.
It's very large, isn't it? And to think
that. of all the people in it, you are the
only friend l have!"
The fair young creature chung to my
arm wistfully and fondly.
"You are not the only one, dear
child" said I. when / was here last,
my old mother was alive. doubt, alas!
II she be alive now. If she is gone,
also shall be without friend but my
little Pearl. Well. dear child, We will
rub along together, you and I. You
have no father or mother Of your own,
and l have no wife and child"
"Am / not your child?" asked Pearl,
softly. Never say that again, Daddy
Beecroft! I will be a good child to
you; and what father have but you,
my dear? You are rot tired Of me,
are you? We are going to live here all
our lives, you say. Say. Welcome to
Dur home, dear daughter.
said the words, and kissed her in
the streets-I didn't mind the people
looking. They would have liked to
have been in my place. do not doubt.
But there was no time to lose. There
were certain things to be seen to with
out delay. The first was, to inquire
after my mother. Away. then, we rat
tied to Brixton. I directed the driver
TO stop within half mile OF the place,
wishing to walk thither, as | used to
do in the old days. What varied emo
lions agitated me as Pearl and /
walked toward the familiar spot where
the sign Of "Beecroft, Mariner" used
DO stand! My little girl saw that /
was agitated, and did not disturb the
current of my thoughts, except ty
76ond and sympathizing pressure of the
arm. Great changes had taken place.
New streets had been formed; new
houses had been built; old landmarks
had disappeared. But when l turned
the lane in which our cottage Used to
stand, saw with delight that it was
still there: and as surely as | lived,
the fondly remembered device of Bee
croft, Mariner" was over the parlor
window. / paused while.
II have two strong wishes, my DEAR"
/ said.
Eyes, daddy" said she.
THE first is, to find my dear old
mother alive. The second is. mat we
may be able to live in that cottage"
"Why daddy" she said, your name
is over it! is it yours, them"
"No, dear child; but my father lived
In 1t before me, and passed there the
happiest years of my life. You mustn't
question me yet, my little daughter.
Out of charity and mercy to one loved
to you. My wounds open afresh as |
gaze upon the place where | drew my
first breath. Come"
knocked at the door of the cottage,
an elderly woman appeared. | hardly
dared to hope that my mother would
have answered me: but the disappoint-
ment. for which / ought to have been
fully prepared, gave me great shock
and / could scarcely find my voice.
Forgive. me-" | said presently; my
name is Beecroft.'
Indeed" said the woman, glaIcing
in some surprise at the device Of shells
above the window. Not that Bee
croft?"
"Beecroft, Mariner, was my father.
I replied. II was born here, and /
have just returned to my native land
after an absence of many years"
perhaps you and the young lady
would like to walk in said the civil
woman.
did not require a second invita-
ton. Much of the old furniture was
there; many of the old shells also. Ny
eyes filled with tears as | gazed on
the dear mementoes. | entered into
particulars with the woman, who in
formed me that she and her husband
had lived in the cottage for ten years
that the last tenant, al old woman
whose name. she said, was the same n
my own. had fallen into poverty. and
had been sold off. the landlord of the