Oakes Republican., 1902-01-10
'im,' went on the other, speaking as ie

to himself
"And--now + come to think of it. lie
Informed me, in n burst of confidence.
,hat he lad not seen his son since eary
ohildhood; 1 believe he said that ne
had separated from the mother. and
had returned to find the boy gone
The youth emptied his glass of spirits
at a gulp and put on his hat firmly.
I'm glad 'ad this ere talk with you"
he sail. I'm -goin' back to the 'ouse
With you now. l am that SON.
Anthony Taggett stared at him in
amazement and :et With a growing de-
light; already he saw himself in the
very center of .he floor, introducing
this wandering srn to the father Who
had hungercd S. !ors for him, and
striking an attitude expressive of as
many emotions as possible, While they
embraced. In his excitement he quite
forgot TO finish his liquor; instead. hs
literally dragged him from the place.
Gomez ne said; there is not a mo-
n.ent to be lost Think. NY young
friend, think how this old man, fast
tottering toward the confines OF the
tomb, has hungered and yeNrned Tor
his lost Offspring! Do not keep nm
waiting a moment longer than can De
avoided! Come!'
They hurried out together, and almost
ran around the corner to the gate In
the wall of Rickerby's Folly. The I'M
perious ringing Of Mr.. Taggett at the
bell brought out Cornelius Viewers, ap-
parently in no pleasant humor; ne
stood holding the gate and looking up
and down, with an illfavored grin up
on his face.
"Well, anyone'd think you wanted
to raise the dead." he snarled, savage
ly.
MAY. friend Viewers. not to raise this
dead, but to bring back to you one who
was never dead at all--one who has
wandered, far too long, an outcast from
his own fireside--an alien from his
fathers love. Cornelius Viewers, be-
hold your son. Mr.. Taggett stepped
back and strucS an attitude, with one
Rand thrust in the breast of his waist
coat.
Cornelius eyed the youth in the New
market up and down: seemed rather
amused than otherwise by his appear
ance. 'There's a good many people
'appening along these days" he OBJ
served. But, if a man as an idea e
belongs to me, I amt the kind to say
i'm nay, or TO dispute things. 1 dare
say the mother knows more about it
than I do; you'd better have word
with 'er.''
He stepped back and made way for.
them to pass. AS they went through
the garden together they saw, at tf
very door of the house, old JemimA,
standing in her useual listless attitude,
looking out at them. 'Eere is Mrs.
W., said Cornelius; you'd better speak
to err
The gentleman in the Newmarket
coat had probably not 1eckoned on
finding so many relatives at once; he
appeared to hang back a little. But
Cornelius, ilnperiously beckoning to Je-
NINA, the youth had nothing for it
but to step forward, somewhat Sheep
ishly, and hold out his hand.
COW are you-mother?" he asked -
The old woman stopped and looked
at him; then glanced at Cornelius.
Cornelius came to the rescue-evident-
ly enjoying the situation little.
IT'S that boy of yours come back
'ome.'' he shouted; for the old lady was
usually supposed to be somewhat deaf.
Jemima looked at Cornelius again,
and then, without the faintest trace of
emotion in her face looked at the long,
ungainly figure Lefore her.
"Ah! 'e's a GROWN lad. amt 'e?' she
said; and, without another word
turncd into the house and disappeared
leaving the three men looking helpless.
L.. at each other.
'''Tis but her mannera desire to
hide the love she feels for you," said
Mr. Taggett.
"she does it pretty wel'' retorted the
youth, in an aggrieved tone, and with a
resentful glance in the direction the
old woman had taken. Under his
breath he muttered: Never mind;
you've done what you wanted to do,
Mr.. 'l!bbard. Now keep your eyes
open.''
(TO BE Continued.)