The times., 1901-03-31

I Under the combined influences of the
conductor and the policeman and Chafie
he woke up to sense of his responsibit.-
ties and drew the whip gently over as
horses fiauks as Bob Long climbed up
to his seat beside hirn again.
They chattcd quietly. and without Ii3T-
ther accident. all the way back 10 Ham
mersmith. But Charles had 10 nlaSr ore
more journey To the Bank ana back be-
fore the days work WAS done, ana boO
kept close To him ali the time, ard little
Charlie fell asleep in Bobs arms as tney
were going home for the very last time
Then Charles thanked the yardElas.er
for his kindness. and intimated his wish
10 give up his position, much 10 that gem
tleInan surprise,
Find it too much for yoq?.' ne asked
Z 'Tis pretty tough in the city
Its not that. 1 like it Wei enough
But I've got another call. and the yard
master. looking AT Bob Long. decided in
his own mind that another prodlgh was
OIL his way home, and wondered some
what 1T the remarkable dlfIeFence tnat
existed at times between fathers and
Then to Hanweu To get some special
treasures. and then back TO King Cross
ana away into the night, until little Char
lie lost track OF things, and only returned
to- a knowledge of them as he was being
carried by his father along the platform
of a country station TO drag which stood
outside with q pair of champing horses.
well wrapped up in blankets, for they had
been waiting "a long time
At sight of them the man on the box
touched his hat and grinned a welcome
which he did not know how TO put into
words And from the back OF the drag
there Sprang q slight figure in black and
fuTS, and leaned at the two Chdrieses with
the cry OF a hungry soul. and gathered
them into q clinging embrace which told
all its own story
..Win you drive, Sir Charies?' asked
BobalOnB proudly.
''Of course, Bob. Why. Jim. what big
boy YOU re getting to the driver who
was sCrambhng down to give him his seat
Now, Mary, my dear, up you come
Charlie. boz. hang on 10 Your Aunt Mary
II you fall asleep again YOU II tumble IN
among the horses and frighten them
Where does this bus go to, dad? the
small boy asked, sleepily.
Home, my boy.
That's a good job" said Master
Charles. with little idea of the new and
wonderful meaning the word would ever
bear for him ia future.
They swept through the dark lines at
a pace that kept the small boy awake:
through the village, where every window
was alight and the good folks stood IN
their dOorWays and shouted welcomes as
they passed: and SO at last through the
gates by the lodge where Mrs. Long stood
curtSying triumphantiy, with tears OF JOY
and pride running down her race. For
here was Mr. Charles come back 10 his
own again. and it was all her B0b's do
ing when everybody else had failed. The
light of Mrs. LOGgS fire streaming across
the drive aud shining on the frost-rim-
site was the cheerieSt thing Charlie had
seen for many a day. Re leaned forward
from between bis father and his aunt aud
stared into the cosy little house with
longing eyes and asked:
lis this home, dadY'
ITS the beginning Of it, my boy" and
he bent over and WFUus Mrs Longs hand
in way that made the happy tears dow
faster than ever.
Then they swept on up the winding
avenue under the dark trees until they
came 60 the great house OF tleserest
asleep no longer, but very wide awake
indeed with hearty welcome beaminS
from every eye, and great, warm river
Of light flowing out OF the open doors and
sparkling like diamonds on the frosty
gravel. And warmer and hcaFtiCr still
was the welcome Of the eager faces cius-
tered round the doorway do greet the
master they AL loved 50 dearly and fear
ca they had lost.
Charles Cleserest took little Charles
hand and his aunt took the other. and
they drew him reluctantly away frcm u
critical observation OF the satiu-skilucd.
foam-fiecked horses which had Vhiried
them along at so tremendous a pace, and
between them they jumped him up the
steps to his Kingdom.
They were passing in among the beam
ing faces and the hearty God bless YOU.
sir =. OF the crOwdinS servants when the
bells @! st. Mary Beauty pealed cut their
soa"rous Christmas greeting. and in n
second Clearcote In the valley and Ccttes-
zoe on the hill were answering them. uu-
til all the UulSing blue vault was flied
with the souud of their voices
What 5 at. daddie?' asked the small
boy.
IT Is our welcome home. my boy and
in spite OF the gladRess of his h0me-Com-
ing. his face was grave and almost sad
as he thought Of her who had started
with him on his journey and had trsiv-
eied way beyond him.
Then he lifted the boy and kissed hiur
and Pgt him on his shoulder and carried
him up into the home Of his fathers
john oxenham il the Strand Magazine.