The Jennings daily record. [volume] (Jennings, La.) 1900-1903, 1902-05-09


came sailing home from Australia to
England many an anxious parent OF
lover or friend awaited her arrival up
on the harbor pier, eager to welcome
those who had been so long absent, and
who were now returning to leave their
native land no more.
Most of these wanderers had left
their home and friends in search OF
Sold. Some had been successful. and
were returning In the first flush OF vic
'torious pride, some had failed and were
coming back like the prodigal son Of
old, willing to eat even the crumbs
that might fall from the paternal ia
Die, SO that the diet of the empty husks
in a far land should be theirs no more
Some were strong and happy, some
were Ill and sad but for all alike
welcome was waiting the moment they
touched the land.
For all, did I say?
There was one on board for whose
arrival no friend was watching, one
who came unnoticed and unknown to
the land OF his birth. one for whom no
home more genial than an inn would
open wide its doors. Among the Gag
er and excited throng who talked to
themselves and each other OF the
friends they hoped to see, he stood
silent listener, with no story Of the
kind to offer In return. When they
landed at last, his late companions
were lost to his view among groups OF
relations and acQuaintances. but not a
hand was outstretched, not a voice was
raised to welcome him. He stood a
few moments watching the interchange
OF greetings, the prayers, the tears of
grateful Joy. then turned away with
Quivering lips and moistened eyes.
Shall i never be missed. never be
mourned over like that" was his
thought as he passed from the pier to
the busy streets, and made the best OF
his way to hotel. to which he had
been recommended by the captain of
his ship. Three and twenty years old,
and the world before me! That sounds
well, but when l know that the world
contains no love, no home, no happi-
ness, that l may honestly claim-Ah
well, never mind I'm not going to
be a baby, and cry for the moon SO,
adieu to sentiment of every kind, while
I drop anchor in this bustling town.
Here is the Eagle right before me,
and for the sum of one guinea l can
purchase smiles without number from
the worthy host"
So saying, he entered the Eagle"
and ordered his dinner. But sad
thoughts still seemed to haunt him,
and when the repast had been cleared
away he sat brooding over the fire, bit
ing rather than smoking his cigar, and
pulling the ends of his moustache with
q frown. At last some memory OF
the past touched him too keenly. He
broke into a bitter laugh.
THE fool I was when l was young,"
he thought to himself. How we'll !
remember the wild dreams that kept
me company when 1 began the race!
What wonderful things I was to ac-
complish then. How soon l was to
build my fortune! How l was going
about doing good, comforting the sad,
relieving the poor, raising up the OPP
pressed Howsoon l accomplished all
those schemes! How much better the
world must be to-day because l have
lived in it"
His face grew still more sad as he
unused.
II laugh at these things now, and yet
1t makes me unhappy. That would
have been a beautiful life If 1 could
but have lived it. 1would rather have
the heart of those days that could plan
the scheme than this l must now own
that can only ridicule it! But the
young romance has gone. 1t haunts me
no longer. My nature is as barren and
worldly as-as even she could desire y
There it was you see. That irrepres-
sible she who is sure to be at the
bottom of every perpiexity and trou-
bile q man can know.
He tugged at his moustache fierce
ly, and flung his cigar in the CRATE.
81 can see the place now as if il
a dream" he groaned. Those hills
and distant mountains; that calm sky
so 'darkly. deeply. beautifully blue,
the sheep upon the hill side. and thu
cattle in the pasture chewing the cue
lazily, and lying still to feel The
warmth! And that other day, weel
later, when the sky was heavy witt
rain. A chill, raw wind blew from
those hills, the roadway wet and sod
den; so was the glen, through all it!
fallen leaves. Yet she stood there
bright and gay, and restless and hap
py. She let the wind blow through
her culls, she lifted her face to catcl
the fallen rain. Great heaven! hoV
beautiful she was, And I have los
her-I shall never see her again"
He groaned, and covered his fac
with his hands. Five minutes passet
then he started from his seat.
This won't do" he calculated
3yron says: