The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1900-10-13
A NINE YEARS. DREAM.
BY MIRIAM J. ROWLAND.

was not so fortunate as all OF that All
along he had been able to get down stairs,
but now he was a prisoner in his room.
One day he called his sister to him, aud
said, "bring me some paper, pen and ink.
| am going to write to Harold.
Little did he know that at that moment,
was standing at his door waiting for ad-
mittance. After he had written the letter,
his sister started from the room, and was
very much surprised to find little girl,
standing at the door. Who do you want
to see? Miss Hugo asked. My grandpa,
repeated Miss Hugo in astonishment, at
that moment, Mr.. Hugo's voice WAS heard
saying, sister bring that child in, for
know she is Harold's child. Miss Hugo
opened the door, and there before his eyes
stood little girl, the living image of his
son. Your name, asked Mr.. Hugo, his
voice trembling with excitement. Lily
Hugo, was answered back 81 knew it,
cried Mr.. Hugo. "Where do you live?" "a
little ways up the street, but here is note
Papa gave me, to give to you" In the note,
Harold asked his father to forgive him, and
also, if he would grant him five minutes
interview. When Mr.. Hugo had finished
reading it, he handed it to his sister to
read. He then sent a note to Harold, and,
told him to come and see him, and, bring
his wife with him. His sister noticed that
he was greatly excited and begged him to
take little rest before they came. The
ringing Of the door bell woke him up, but
to his dismay he was unable to get up.
His voice was very weak, and, he knew
that he hadn't long to live. Harold and
his wife were hastily summoned to his bed
side. The meeting, after nine years can
not be described. Mr.. Hugo said," Harold,
| have not very long to live, and, can you
forgive me for the wrong have done you?"
Harold answered eyes, father, forgave
you long ago, was not angry at you very
long, only about two years, and, l have been
waiting ever since, for you to send for me,
but, as you didn't and at last you were OBJ
liged to keep your room | thought would
write to you, for, wanted to see you once
more before you died" Mr.. Hugo said
My son, give to you my house, and, my
fortune. God bless you, your sweet wife,
and child These were the last words he
said. The eXcitement had been too much for
him. and he expired in few hours Har-
old had to return to the office, but he left
Anna and Lily at his fathers house, great
was his grief, when, a few hours afterwards,
he heard Of his fathers death, for he
thought ii was only the excitement of the
meeting, that made him seem so faint
After the funeral was over, Harold, moved
at once to his fathers house. One day in
looking over his papers, he found little
book marked, "My Grief Book" Wonder
ingly he opened it, and the words that he
read, filled his eyes with tears. In this
book his father had written what he had
not spoken. 1t contained little paragraphs
| written each day for six years. For six
long years, he had waited for his sons re-
turn, and at the end of each day, had writ
ten some touching words, about his son J
in this book. Was it any wonder that
Harold's eyes filled with tears, when, he
realized how much mis- father had longed
for his return!
The people were greatly surprised, when
they heard that Nj. Hugo had left every
thing to his son, for, they had not heard
about the reconciliation, hut they soon
found out that it was for the best, fot Mr.
Hugos affairs were in very bad way, but
Harold soon Strengthened them out. In
speaking about his father, and the length
of time which elapsed before they spoke,
Harold said, ut Just seemed to me like
dream o! nine years ~