Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-05-23
On the Homeward Track.

1t was a bright morning in May.
The boy who was walking briskly on
the railway track looked up at the blue
sky and shifted the fresh air with keen
satisfaction. He was boy of perhaps
seventeen, tall for his age and well put
together. He was comfortably dressed
and over his shoulders swunga canvas
bag of the telescope variety. The track
was laid on an embarkment and ex-
tended onward in an almost straight
line as far as the eye could reach. The
boy could look across the level fields
on either side and note the cllmps Of
trees here and there with the farm
houses nesting near, and the great
woods and far-of hills behind. 1t was
pleasant prospect, and the pleasure
of viewingit seemed reflected on the
boys face.
Suddenly his attention was attracted
by "a figure on the track ahead. 1t was
the figure of man, and the man was
sitting on tie with his feet dangling
down the embankment. The man arose
as the BOY drew near. He was a young
man, with bright face and very bright
eyes. His eyes sparkled as the boy
neared him.
ga fair morning, young sir, )" he said
as he arose.
Eyes, assented the boy. He looked
the stranger over. He was tall and
slender, his clothes were fine, though
dusty, and he bore valiss that showed
the effects of much travel.
He fell into step with the boy as they
trudged along side by side.
Rather dull prospect for solitary
stroller" said the stranger.
"Not dull for me, said the boy.
I'm on my way home"
That does make a difference, said
the stranger He looked the boy over.
"Been away long,"
"Six months, replied the boy. "Been
at work in a Chicago store. It's my
first vacation.
"Then I don't wonder the prospect
is alluring, said the stranger. "Usu-
ally, though, the first home coming IS
attended with some little pomp and GER
emony. May ask you why you travel
on the ties instead of in the private
carr"
The boy laughed.
"Well," he said, "it's partly for the
exercise and partly to save money.
You can't get much exercise, you know,
running an elevator at So week.
And you cant save much, either. So
l save a little more, and get the exer-
else, too, by walking the fifteen miles
from the junction. "
80 it's the coming home that makes
the walking pleasant, said the stran-
ger. And he softly sighed.
"May I ask where you are going?'
inquired the boy.
"You may ask, but 81 can't tell you, ="
replied the stranger. I'm vagabond,
wanderer, a first cousin of the tramp.
Last night I was an actor, today I'm a
tie.counter. Tomorrow? Oh, well,
something will turn up tomorrow"
"And have you no home p
"None that I've any right to claim
I'm the black sheep of the family, my
boy, and black sheep are not popular
with the white ones. I've very re-
spectacle brother, and very grand
sister-in-law, and a mother whose
heart I have wrung and whose faith l
have abused. There would be no fat
ted calf for this prodigal."
Then his bitter tone suddenly
changed.
"Not very agreeable companion
for pleasant morning walk, am l p
he laughed.
u think you are wrong about your
home" said the boy. ut doesn't seem
as ifmy mother could help but be glad
to see me, no matter how came nor
what had done. Doesn't your mother
write to you?"
"She doesn't know where am, said
the stranger, little slowly. 1--WE
changed my name and I'm a strolling
actor. At least l was. Our company
was broken up last night, our manager
deserted sand our baggage was seized
All possess is what l have on, and the
Richelieu costume that l wore last
night. Rather slight capital to face
the world with at my age. Oh I'm a
failure all right T.
"It's Richelieu, isn't it, queried the
boy, "who says there is no such WORD
as fail ?"
"Eh !" cried the stranger, "But