The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-24

over his white lips. then slight spasm
| and then. getting alarmed, L hastily mo-
toned 10 the doctor
Il think be has taken a relapse" said,
with my heart almost standing still.
The doctor touched his wrist, looked I'm
mis- face. and then turned sadly away
lie has. indeed" he gravely answered.
''fie is gone
That same night J went To the news
paper offices and saw that the following
advertisement was set up for the NOR
rows paper:-
George Findlay, n travelling umbrella
mender, and native of Newcastle. who
was in Edinburgh month ago. may hear
news Of his son by applying TO Detective
MGovan, Police Office. High ST., Edin-
burgh"
on the forenoon of that day this ad-
vertsement appeared ] received the fol-
lowing message from the governor OF the
poorhouse In Forrest Road
City Poor House, Christmas Day.
Dear Sir
II have just read your advertisement
I'm todays paper. and beg 10 say that an
old man. calling himself George Find
lay, and a native OF Newcastle, WAS
brought into this house some days ago by
two persons who found him sleeping in
the snow. We have been thinking of
yet quite strong enough TO be removed.
In these circumstances, perhaps YOU
could make IL convenient TO come out
! and sac him"
/ went back with the bearer of the
| note 1t was a clear frosty morning. and
! the streets were alive with gaiety and
| mlrth: but none of IL found an echo in
| my breast The news / bore had neither
| smiles nor mrth about IL. and AT that
4
faced the most desperate criminal I'm
| Edinburgh. single handed, than have to
| look on the patient. eager face of the old
/ umbrella member.
At the roorhouse I was conducted
| through the old mems ward by queru-
| lous old womaa. from whom | learned
| that tho old man was very low"
"fIe has queer ways, too,' she added.
| "IIe would hardly take of his clothes
| when they brought him In, and shouted
| out that we wanted 10 rob his son Bob.
| and at last We were forced to let him
sleep with his old shabby coat folded up
! under his pillow like "a treasure. He is
/ rather down-hearted. and will hardly
I speak to any one. or say IL he's any bet
ter. unless you ask him IL he'll soon be
able to look for his son, when he's sure
| TO say. Ay, mum try an be out tomor-
row-yes. I'll be stronger tomorrow
Ills he very weak" asked.
Weak as a child, sir-can hardly lift
| an arm from the bed" was the en-
phatic reply But you know this is
| Christmas Day, and he's to get glass
OF wine. and some roast beef and plum
| pudding. and thatll put some strength in
| hin--that'll cheer up his old heart and
| make new man OF him. oh. we'll havS
| a merry Christmas, though he is dull at
| times"
| We reached the old mans bed as she
l.
| old mans eyes were closed; and to make
him aware OF my presence, i bent over
| him and said
| "A merry Christmas 10 you. and hap
| py New Year when IL comes!"
lie started. and not recognizing me
| rightly. said mechanically
THE same TO you, sir"
Then he opened his eyes wider, started
upright In bed and tremblingly seized my
hand
Its the detectlvev' he quivered out.
bending over my hand 20 kiss Il. and hide
the tears rushing to his eyes. II thowt
you would comel dreamt OF you comm
last night. and you browt were Bob wi
you, and ne seemed so handsome and
kindly like. Oh, sir, speak. What news
o. & lad?'
IT have news" 7 said. IN grave tones
that drove every drop of blood from his
face. Bear UP strongly, for II is not the
news you expect"
lie sank slowly back TO the pillow. but
still kept his eyes Tiveted on my face,
and motioned madly for me TO 60 on.
"Your son died yesterday in i.eith Hos
pital. He had been taken there after ly-
ing exposed 10 snow and frost for
whole night In Leith, after being put out
of ailiouse mad with drink"
Dead, dead,' Only two words. but the
anguished cry was that of breaking
heart.
Not dead. but gone before j hastily
added, bending closer over the white and
rigid face. "He had sunk slowly-had
seen the missionary every day-and left
me a message for you
LAY, were Bob--dear lad!-a message?"
he murmured
Eyes, he said he would meet you in
heaven"
The old mans face underwent n sud-
den changes smile trembled on the lips;
and then. though the eyes remained
closed I heard him murmur with soft
ecstasy
"Ah. I've found were Rob at last
the money won't be needed now. hut.
thank God for Ilis mercy. I've found my
lad-l've found my boy. and I'll never be
unhappy no more, merry Christmas.
Bob. lad.-a merry Christmas-and- and
-"
a wild clutch OF the withered hands. n
long gurgling breath. and the sounds died
away and ] stood alone. The old man
was dead. and had found his son. They
were holding their Christmas In hcGv-
ont