Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1901-09-27
A SAD HOMECOMING.
by LIZZIE HUNT.

BY LIZZIE HUNT
"Now, Baby Ned, you must take nice
long nap this afternoon, SO that mamma
can dress you all fresh and sweet, for this is
papa's night home, and his baby must look
his prettiest Dear, old darling, how many
dangers he braves that his loved ones may
have a beautiful and comfortable home
Really, don't like those ugly dreams had
last night, but then they always go by con-
traries, they say. must try to be the brave
wife of my noble engineer. He has never
had any accident on his train, and it's now
five years since he went on the road to
take charge of an engine, but | have trem.
bled all day with some vague alarm. Well,
I must live up to my own preaching
take trouble till it comes. just half-past
four, and his train is due at six. Now, l
must have mullins, strawberries and cream
and cake for tea. How he will relish them!"
So soliioquized the young wife of Will
Vosburgh, as she prepared the dainty sup
per for the man she thought the noblest,
truest in the world
They had been married two years, and
had one cunning little specimen of humanity
they called Baby Ned. People said they
were too happy-life went by on wings Of
contentment-trouble would come by and
by. Oh, how many ra 'ens still live who
croak of the deathknell even while listen,
ing to the wedding chimes!
The young mother and wife had the sup
per in readiness, with place for everything
and everything in its place, while she await.
ed her husbands coming with an expect.
ant, fluttering heart. There is his gown on
the chair, his slippers on the rug Little
Ned, just awakened from his long nap, was
as fresh and sweet as newborn flower
His mother threw his curiously embroidered
shawl over her head and went out into the
yard to gather bouquet for the table. She
culled beautiful white moss rosebuds and
myrtle, and as she held them up she said
"They look so pure will not put single
bright color with them"
Bearing them in, she placed them in a
fairy shell, and was admiring their simple
engine. The, carnation came and went in
her cheeks, and her eyes sparkled with q
| joyous expectation about to be realized
| She said
"Now, baby, in ten minutes papa will be
| here"
She placed the tea to draw, ard ther
walked to the door-this girl-woman, with
| her tender blue eyes and sensitive mouth.
Ten minutes passed She pressed her hand
| to her heart.
"What can detain him."
She saw neghbor coming down thu
street with a valise in his hand, and invol
unfairly she said:
II will just go to the gate and inquire
of him."
She passed down the path decked OF
either side with flowers and asked
"Mr Hoffman, do you know what keep
Will so late tonight"
The old mans lips quivered as he replied
| There has been an accident" and hur
ried by
| With baby clasped in her arms sh
FASTENED toward the depot, saying
Perhaps | can do something to comfor
the afflicted; to be sure, it can't be much
but it may be something. Will is so good
so tender.hearted, he could not leave hi
post. l know he is helping all he can, evel
if he does long to be home and take us il
his arms once more. Oh, how tremble
but this boy of ours is so heavy. Neve
mind, my little man, papa will carry yo
back home. Won't that be fine?"
She had reached the depot. Crowds o
people were surgng and swaying aroun
some object stretched on the platform. Sh
strained her eyes to catch glimpse OF he
Will.
Some one came to her and said:
Mrs. Vosburgh, this is no place for you
your husband will be home soon."
Others, with strange fright depicted o
their faces, stared at her, but she KEEP
pressing closer and closer to the spot wher
all seemed DESTROYS of getting. Kind hand
were laid upon her shoulders to detain hel
but with wild, staring eyes that peered as
were into the impenetrable, she struggle
until she stood by the side OF an nanimat
human form, over which was thrown
white spread. She bent forward, drew tn
cover from the face, and there were tn
brown curls, white forehead, but closed eye
of her idol.
A wild shrek pierced the hearts of the b,
ISLANDERS. She gathered the dear head
her bosom-against her beating, bleedin
heart-with her golden locks mingled wit
his dark brown Her head bent lower an
lower; her lips pressed his, and she gasped
my precious Will"
The speeches. crowd knew not when he
spirit took its flight. With gleeful sm
Baby Ned played with his fathers curl
needing not his spotless dress, which wa
being dabbled in the parents life blood.
That was a sad procession of sympathi
! ing friends and wondering strangers thI
bore the remains of husband and wife-sti
one-to their little cottage. The enginet
had made his last run.
Everything in readiness for happy " =
come. The fond wife had gathered her oN
. funeral fowers-white moss rosebuds an
myrtle.
Soon their mortal dust was placed in OF
, grave, and the good old man who had ma
ricd them, as he stood beside it, said:
What God hath joined together, no ma
. can put asunder."
How few of us know to-day, when v
. gather flowers, that tomorrow, mayha
] they may be placed in our pale hands, co
. in death.-N. Y. Weekly.