The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-06-28
On the Home
ward Track.
By w. r. ROSE.....
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

GOO OCSO OCsSO OCSO OCCC OGCO OCH
1t was a bright morning in May. TIL,
boy who was walking briskly on the rail
way track looked up at the blue sky ant
shifted the fresh air with keen satisfac
ton. He was boy of perhaps II, tai
for his age and well put together. FL,
was comfortably dressed, and over hi
shoulders swung canvas bag of the
telescope variety. The track was laid OIL
an embankment and extended onward il
an almost straight line as far as the ey,
could reach. The boy could look acros:
the level fields on either side and note tn,
clumps of trees here and there. with tn,
farmhouses nesting near and the grea
woods and faroff hills behind. 1t was 6
pleasant prospect, and the pleasure OF
viewing It seemed reflected on the boy:
face.
Suddenly his attention was attracted by
a figure on the track ahead. II was the
figure of man, and the man was sitting
on a tie with his feet dangling down thu
embankment. The man arose as the bo!
drew near. He was a young man with /;
bright face and very bright eyes. His
eyes sparkled as the boy neared him.
"a fair morning. young sir" he said a.
he arose.
"Yes." assented the boy. He looked
the stranger over. He was tall and slen
der, his clothes were fine. though dusty
and he bore a valise that showed the eff
fects of much travel.
He fell into step with the boy as the!
trudged along side by side.
Rather dull prospect for solitary
stroller" said the stranger.
mot dull for me-" said the boy. "I'n
on my way home"
"That does make difference" said thu
stranger. He looked the boy over. "BeeI
away long?'
six MONTHS" replied the boy. "Bee:
at work in a Chicago store. It's my frs
vacation"
"Then don't wonder the prospect /.
alluring." said the stranger. USUALLY
though. the first homecoming is ATTENDED
with some little pomp and ceremony
May ask why you travel on the ties in
stead of in q private carp
The boy laughed.
"Well." he said. "it's partly for the ex
ercise and partly to save the money. You
can't get much exercise. you know, run
Ming an eleNdtOT at 90 q "tth anu yoi
can't save much either. So | save littl'
more and get the exercise, too. by walk
ing the Is miles from the junction"
$50 it's the coming home that make:
the walking pleasant" said the stranger
And he softly sighed.
MAY ask where you are going?" In
quired the boy.
"You may ask, but I can't tell you." re
piled the stranger. I'm a vagabond. q
wanderer, a first cousin of the tramp
Last night was an actor. today I'm {
tie counter Tomorrow? Oh. well. some
thing will turn up tomorrow"
"And have you no home"
"None that I've any right to claim
I'm the black sheep of the family. my
boy. and black sheep are not popular will
the white ones I've a very respectable.
brother. and a very grand sister-in-law
and q mother whose heart ] have wrunr
and whose faith have abused. Ther
would he no fatted calf for this prodigal.
Then his bitter tone suddenly changed
"Not a very agreeable companion for II
pleasant morning walk, am Z" he laugh
ed
81 think you are wrong about youl
home" said the boy. at doesn't seem
as if my mother could help but be glad It
see me, no matter how | came nor what
had done Doesn't your mother writ,
TO you"
"She doesn't know where | am" SAID
the stranger little slowly. "I've changed
my name. and I'm a strolling actor. A.
least ! was. Our company was broker
up last night: our manager deserted US
nd coiyaH All |
spss is what ! have on and the Richelieu
costume that | wore last night; rather
q slight capital to face the world with a.
my age. Oh. I'm failure. all right"
ITS Richelieu. isn't it." Queried th'
boy, who says there is no such word a.
fail?"
"Eh" cried the stranger. But that's
only a pretty sentiment in play"
81 think it's true. though" said the boy
I'm going to believe it's true. anyway
| went to Chicago to do great things. and
| tramped the streets for ten days tired
and hungry. looking for work. but l didn't
give II I'D. And when ! found a job il
was only 50 a week. But | stuck to 1t
and I've been climbing little by little ever
since. And | don't mean to stop. H.
paused. 81 guess one thing that kept VI
my courage was the thought that my
mother was praying for me and that there
was a good home with its door always
open waiting for me if the worst came to
the worst"
They trudged along In silence.
"I'm only a boy" said the lad present
", land you're a man. but ! honestly
think If were you Id go home and SEE
my mother and take a rest and talk
Things over and start in fresh"
But the stranger did not reply.
Then came sudden diversion.
The boy stopped. looked back and turn
ed hastily.
"Scc thisw he cried A rail had been
taken ND and was lying on the ends OF
che ties. the freshly drawn spikes beside
II. The strangers face paled.
"Traip wreckprsr' he gasped. and his
bright eyes searched the bush covered
sides of the emhankment.
"Harkw cried the boy. THE express
is coming"
There was a fringe of trees along the
track where It curved slightly two miller
or more away, and above the farthes
tree tops a puff Of steam suddenly arose
at must be f1agged"' cried the boy, ant
he looked about him wildly.
"Here," shouted the stranger as h
tore open the tattered valise. "Flaun
| the cardinals red robe at them.
The boy seized the garment.
"Haltw cried a ringing voice from be
low.
Three men had emerged from the bushe
and were climbing the embankmcni
Something glittered in the hand of tn
foremost. "Haltr' he cried again.
Rum shrieked the stranger.
The boy started up the track at IN
| ,-,,l .a,,,ord tho anDroa ching train th