The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1903-03-19

l set out for an afternoon ride along
the upland road.
The road was so good and the air
so bracing that was many miles out
before | thought of turning. When 1
do the dusk was gathering down and
the huge marsh looked dim and lone
ly. The storm was coming in good
earnest, for down over the bay
swift fame of lightning leaped forth,
followed by growl of thunder.
With this there was the growing
darkness and now and then a spatter
of rain. ] fought steadily on, how
ever, and was half way home before
night shut in. But night brought
the full fury of the tempest. Soon
the lightning was my only guide. 1t
proved safeguard, too, for while go-
ing fast down hill flash revealed
fallen tree scarcely ten feet away. l
did not wait to see what would hap
pen. but slid off and rolled in the
mud, leaving the bicycle to its fate.
Then | trudged manfully on afoot,
trundling my wrecked machine, while
the wind shrieked in my face and the
rain drenched me to the skin.
At last, far ahead, light appeared.
Then another and another, until a
brilliant glow shone in the darkness,
and then, quite suddenly, recognized
the outline of the house on the up
lands. But what was the reason of
bic illp,,ipntinnD frbnra ,,nc , l;rbf
in every window. hastened forward
and soon stumbled through the gate,
up the pathway to the front door,
where | knocked loud and long. 1t
was thrown open and my old friend
appeared, gazing eagerly at me.
"Why! Why!" he exclaimed. Its
you | thought it was james," and
Il look of deep disappointment came
over his face. "llave you seen him?"
"No," | answered, and the light fell
full on my soaked and muddy gar
ments. The old man gave a cry.
81 treat you i'll" he said. "Come in,
come in! and you can get dry, and
we can welcome James together. For
you do not sneer and laugh as the
others do He drew me in and shut
the door. We went through the hall,
catching a glimpse of bright-lit par
lors as we passed, to the big kitchen
at its farther end.
Here huge fire blazed and | was
quickly dry. The old man gave me
"A hot drink from brew which sim
mered beside the hearth. 1t put new
life into me.
as your brother really coming to-
night?" asked, determined to humor
him.
"Ies, oh yes." he cried tremulous;y.
"Sce. read this!" With shaking hands
he unfolded sheet of paper and gave
it to me.
1t was letter. frayed and worn,
dated 80 years back. 1t said that Jhe
writer had arrived in Halifax by the
steamer Scotia, of the Cunard line,
and would come round by schooner,
avoiding the tedious coach journey.
purpose to come round in the Curlew
schooner. which sails within a week.
iiANc tht Houst ltuuS lot Iut, btVISt,
and a Jorum of that good Punch you
used to make so well. I will drive out
from the Village. And I shall be right
glal to be Home again. Old Fellow, for
We had rough voyage across.
am, dear George, Your Affect. Bror.,
JAMES.
So it concluded The signature was
stained and blurred. And as | handed
back the letter and the old man fold
ed it so reverently and replaced it in
his pocket, the pity of il all brought
tears to my own eyes. But my host
was looking at me eXpectantly, so |
forced smile and talked to him of
the returning one.
How the storm thundcred outside.
] saw that it would be almost impos-
sible tn reach the village. and gladly
accepted the old mans proposal that
should stay with him. For" said
he, 1T will be pleasant for James,
and | would like you to know him"
When my clothes were dry, we went
over to the house together. 1t was
ablazc with light. Wax candles were
placed in every window and the som
Der parlors were gay with old-fash-
toned lamps.
I'VE brought them all out when we
came" explained the old ynan. "And
James will be glad when he sees the
lights shining to welcome him home"
But will he come such a night as
this?" l said as n gust of wind shook
the house and Jared us where we
stood.
Yes, oh, yes" The voice was very
weak. "They told me this afternoon
that the Curlew was in the bay, and
know James is coming tonight"
He went to window. 'lIark! Don't
you hear a horse?"
But it Twas only rain-squall driv-
ing along the road.
The wind gradually shifted, and
when we returned to the kitchen the
storm was laundering at the front
door and echoing in the hall. Sev-
cral times it tore at the entrance like
a living thing-so like that / half
turned round, while my companion
started from his seat. Soon, how
ever, my fatigue began to overpower
me. Even the increasing nervousness