The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-08


The sun was Just setting behind the
western horizon, rejecting its golden
beams on the eastern hills and cast
ing long rays of mellow light over the
landscape.
In the shady street. in front OF neat
white cottage. stood two boys. mopping
great drops of Precipitation from their
foreheads. They had just finished a
game of ball, and were then laugh
irgly disrutirg who had caught 1t the
greater number of times. Their mother.
who had Just summoned them to the
evening meal. was standing In the
doorway watching them with motherly
pride.
"Is papa coming home tonight?'
asked Harold, the younger of the two.
Yes" answered his mother, "but 1t
will be so late when he gets home that
we cannot wait supper for him"
"Where Is I.awrence?" again uuericd
the child.
Lawrence is here, dear. but come
now to your supper"
The lads followed their mother into
the house and, as they partake Of the
food prepared for them, let us learn
more about them.
The scene Of our story Is located In
one of the many mining towns of
Northeastern Pennsylvania. The father
Of our heroes was miner. The fam
lily consisted of seven members: MIR.
Akersor. who worked in the mines in
another town, about eight miles from
the one where he made his home; Mrs.
Akerson. and five children. Lawrence.
the oldest, Is a teacher in the High
school of his native town; Mildred, or
Milly. as she is commonly called. is a
young woman of twenty; Nellie, who
is still a schoolgirl; Robert. aged
fourteen. and Harold. aged eleven.
1t was Saturday night and the
family were expecting the father
home to spend Sunday with them.
Little did they think that in few
short moments he would be carried
home seriously wounded.
AS they were enjoying social cha.
before arising from the table. they
heard the sound of footsteps on the
graveled walk. the low murmur of
voices, and above all the groans of
some one who had been injured.
An we-stricken hush came over the
merry group and each cast frightened
glances at the other. With cry OF
20. Harris" Mrs. Akerson sprang
from her chair and followed by her
children hurried into the hall. She
was met BY the grayhared pastor of
her church.
Dear sister," his voice trembled and
he laid his hand gently on her shoul-
der, "it has pleased our Heavenly
Father. in His righteous Judgment,
to aff1ict you and your children. Be
brave and strong to hear the worst,
and still do your duty. Brother
Akerson was severely injured at his
work this afternoon
He spoke hurriedly. while Mrs.
Akerson gazed in speechless astonsh-
ment at the men who We're carrying
the mangled, bleeding form of the
husband and father.
Mrs. Akerson," it was young DR..
Harvey who spoke, compose your
self and show us where we can make
him as comfortable as possible" With
mighty effort she collected her scat
tered thoughts and led the way to a
cozy little bedroom off the dining
room.
The children We're so frightened that
they scarcely realized what had hap
pened. They stood gazing absent
mindedly into space, or trying help
iessly to make room for those who
bore their father to pass.
AS the crushed body was laid on the
bed, Lawrence cried, In a hollow, un-
natural voice, "Oh! we are fatherless
what shall We do?"
This seemed to awaken them to a
realization of their position and tears
streamed down their faces. They had
been helpless family, depending on
papa" for everything. and it seemed
as If all the joy had been taken from
their lives when they saw their father,
helpless, torn and bleeding and heard
his means Of pain.
But amorg the number was one who
did not speak or weep. She stood
stariAg wildly at the floor, her face
ghostly white. her hands clasped
tightly together. The sight of her
awful grief made it harder for the
others to bear. That one was Milly.
In few moments Rev. Mr.. Spencer
stepped from the bed room. For an
instant he stood looking about him,
first at one then at the other of the
children, and then at the neighbors
and friends who, having learned of
the accident, had dropped in to offer
confidence and assistance. At last,
raising his hand as if to pronounce
benedction. he murmured. God bless
you, my children"
When he had finished speaking he
crossed to- where Milly stood and
spoke to her in low. comforting tones.
Daughter" he said, II know your
grief is great. The doctor thinks it is
better that you should know that he
does not expect your father to stay
with you long. But you should try to
bear 1t bravely looking for strength
from Him who has promised to com
fort the mourner.
"oh! can't he live?" she cried, wiring
Ing her hands in her agony. NO"
answered the minister, "and We all
think that it is better that you SHOULD:
know the worst, The shock will not
be so great when he is called home"
'She gazed at Mr., Spencer in silence
tor few seconds, then pressing her
bands tightly to her breast she an
swered him in voice which, though
steady, was strangely low and harsh.
'Mr. Spencer, you do not know all
there is to make me grieve as l do.
II you did. l do not know whether
lou would pity me OF censure me-"
Mildred do not think you have
done anything for which could very
well censure YOU
Il have not spoken to my father in
nearly ten months"
..Milly"?
1T is true | was disobedient and
he reproVed me. This made me angry,
ana said l would never speak to him
again until he apologized, | see now"
and her voice trembled and the salty
lou. L.