The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1904-06-07

Au5uSI AFTERNOON q tramp
walked istlessly down a dusty Iowa
lane. There was nothing about his
clothes nor general demeanor to dis
it1nguish him from other tramps, yet
MS face seemed prepossessing, and his
forehead was intellectual. Finally he
came within sight of a group of trees,
whose green freshness spoke eloquent
iy OF rest. He increased his pace and
was soon seated on a shaded bank.
Behind him was a picket fence, and
FARTHER back was a substantial farm
house, half hidden by its grove of
trees. After lighting his black pipe,
the tramp clasped his hands behind his
head and gazed refiectively into the
green leaves above him.
You'd better not let father catch
you there or-or@"
He had Strengthened up in surprise.
Before him stood a self-confdent
young woman, with features very like
his W A look of wonder came into
her eye when she saw his face, and
h hesitated and stopped confusedly.
You are Mary. are you not?P he
asked, his voice trembling with re-
pressed feeling.
Yves, and you are-you are"
will, come home again."
"Oh, VIII Will You've come back
to us again! You don't know how
we've missed you, Wilt" Needless Of
the dirt, she threw her arms about his
neck and kissed him.
I'D hesitated, Mary. l didn't know
whether they'd want me now or not"
Indeed, VIII, it's you"
In fact" he interrupted, Il wasn't
sure that | was coming at any time.
got as far as GIenwood, and hen l
had to walk over here and see il the
old place looked the same, But /
wasn't going to stop unless
Unless you were welcome" she
finished. "You are, VIII. We need
you here. Father is growing old, and
mother wants her son. And-and Flor
ence-she's still Florence, dear"
He kissed her. And they won't
mind my clothes?" Ft
why. of course not, you foolish
boy. Come along. quickl We must
go and see them"
Mary caught his hand and half
dragged him to the gate and down
the lane.
ooh, how you've changed she
chartered. Il didn't know you at first.
| took pity on you because father and
Towz hate tramps so. Wasn't that
fun?"
I'm glad that they won't eat this
tramp, anyhow. But you've changed,
too, Mary. Why, I've always thought
of 0 in braids."
She tossed her head. 81 took those
up the year you went away. You've
been gone four years, bad boy"
Don't talk about that, Mary, for /
want to forget 1t if can. You had
better go in and tell mother"
Mary ran into the house, and in an
instant a white-haired old lady came
to be caught up in her sons arms.
The prodigal's homecoming was all
that the brightest optimist could have
wished. viii was home, and after
the first transports were over, the
quiet of absolute content settled down
his old room, untouched for four
years. and shaved and dressed him
self. When he came down stairs again
his father, still In his field overalIs,
was pacing up and down the room.
The old ~gentleman's face lighted up
with pleasure when he caught sight
OF his son.
WILL" he said, "we'1l forget the
past. l was hasty, my son, and you
took after YOU father. I suppose" A
smile fickered about the corners of
his mouth for an instant. "Your
mother and l got to know Florence
better afterward. She's not like the
old man. always disliked Barnes
Quarrelsome fellow-licked me when
q boy-don't forget such things. But
there, it's all right. You're all dressed
M HIM! Hope you're not thinking Of
going YER there to-night?"
why lid like to. father. f."
well | don't know. You'd better
stay at home tonight. Barnesn be