The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-31

I Jrndsr the combined influences of the
/ conductor and the policeman and Charlie
he woke up to sense of his Responsible
ties and drew the whip gently over his
horses TANKS as Bob Long climbed up
/ TO his sea. beside him again.
Thee chi tied quietly. and without fur-
Their accident, all the way back TO. liam
mersmith. But Charles had 10 MAKE ore
more journey to the Bank ana back pc
fore the days work was done, and hob
kept close to him all the time, ard little
Charlie fell asleep in Bob's arms as they
were going home for the very last time.
Then Charles thanked the yardrIaster
for his kindness. and intlmated t,ls WISH WIS.,.
10 give up his position. much to that gen.
tleInan's SURPRISE
/ Find it too much for you?" ne asked.
/ 'Tis pretty tough in the City.
Its not that. [ like it wen enough
But I've got another call. and he yard-
master looking at Bob Long, ecided in
his own mind that another profiS;h was
on his way home, and wonde'ed some
what ct the remarkable difference that
existed at times between fathers ana
sons.
Then to Hanwell to get some special
treasures and then back to King cross
and 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 country station to drag which stood
out side with n pair of champing horses.
well wrapped up in blankets, for they had
been waiting a long time
At sight of them the man on tha box
touched his hat and grtnned a welcome
which he did not know how to put Tito
words And from the back of thn drag
there sprang a slight figure in black and
fuTs, and leaped at the two Charieses with
the cry of a hungry soul. and gathered
them into a clinging embrace which told
all its own story.
viii you drive, Sir ChaFfes! asked
Bobalong, proudly,
''Of course. Bob. Why. Jim. what a big
boy you re getting the driver. who
ariTr n n
Now, Mary, my dear, up you come
Charlie boy. hang on to your Aunt Mary.
II you fall asleep again you'll tumble in
among the horses and brighten 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 in 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 dOorHays 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 face, For
here was Dir. Charles come back to his
own again, and it was all her B0b's do
ing. when everybody else had failed The
light of Mrs. Long fire streaming across
the drive and shining on the frost-rim-
med leaves Of the rhododendrons oDpo-
site was the cheerieSt thing Charlie had
seen for many day. He leaned forward
from between his father and his aunt and
stared into the cosy little house with
longing eyes and asked:
is this home, dadF
Its the beginning of II. my boy" and
he bent over and wfung Mrs. Longs hand
in way that made the happy tears flow
faster than ever.
Then they swept on up the winding
avenue under the dark trees until they
came TO the great house of cleserest-
asleep no longer, but very wide awake
indeed; with hearty welcome beaminS
from every eye, and a great, warm river
Of light flowing out of the open doors Snd
sparkling like diamonds on the frosty
gravel. And warmer and heartter still
was the welcome Of the eager faces cius-
tered round the doorway do greet the
master they all loved so dearly and fear
ed they had lost.
Charles Cleserest took title Charities
hand and his aunt took the other. and
they drew him reluctantly away frcm u
critical observation OF the satin-sNinned.
foam-fecl0ed horses which had whirled
them along at SO tremendous n 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 5" OF the crOWding servants when the
s0aoTous Christmas greeting. aud in u
second Clearcete IN the valley and Cottea-
zoe on the hill were answering them.
til all the i4ulslng blue vault was filled
with the solnd of their voices
What's at. daddie?" asked the small
boy.
1t Is our welcome home. my boy and
in spite Of the gladness of his home-com-
ing. his face was grave and almost sad
as he thought of her who had started
with him on his journey and had tray
eled away beyond him
Then he lifted the boy and kissed hirfr
and pat him on h!s shoulder and CARR I'll
him up into the home of his fathers
John oxenham il the Strand Magazine.