The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-02-03
A South Carolina Prodigal Son.

ua"u uing VI the New Lear. 1t was
genuine happiness this family enjoy
ed, the kind that counts, especially
when the cid ones are turning gray
with age, and the silver crown warns
them that the day Of the golden is not
far distant.
q bearjless youth, upon whose
face the down had not yet attained to
manhood 8 estate, threw the beam of
light across the pathway of his aged
parents which lifted from their al
ready bowed shoulders a heavy mort
gage which rested on the home where
their little one had first seen the light
Of day.
When he was mere lad John VIII
hanson, who lived near Camden, s.
e., ran away from home. lie wan
deEed over the face Of the earth, first
going to one place and then to anoth-
er, but always remembering his pa
rents. He wrote to them occasionally.
telling them not to worry, that he was
getting along all right.
In the course of his travels he land
ed In Texas. He decided to locate in
the fertile fields Of the lone star State.
he purchased small tract of land. It
became necessary to have water with
which to supply his stock. A well
had to be dug.
For many weary days the youth
stood by and watched the progress of
digginga we'll in Texas. The long
drill pierced deeper aud deeper, and
the expense column pierced deeper
and deeper into his pocket. But he
mutt have water, and he was de;er-
mined to stand the expense of digging
the we'll.
But when the bucket, the 6rst to
reach liquid substance, came rising
from the we'll, it contained
In comparatively short time the
YOUTH al South Carolinian found him
self the possessor of wealth beyond
his widest hopes and dreams. Oil
flowed in plenty. He was rich MAI.
He worked his find carefully, econom-
ically, writing home to the old folks
all the time that he was doing we'll.
He did not tell them Of his find, for it
might prove mirage, and they would
be forced to share in his disappoint-
ment.
by and by as he grew richer news
OF his aged parents found its way to
his western home. He learned that
they were in want-that it had be-
come necessary to mortgage the little
farm. Later he heard the mortgage
was due, end there we're &c funds to
lmeet the demands of the mortgage
holder.
John Williamson secured New York
exchange for $4,000, bought ticket
to Camden, and was soon near the
scene Of his birth. He walked to the
hotel register and wrote in a firm
strong hand u. A. williamson It
was late at night. Next morning he
secured livery team and drove to the
little home under the shadow of the
hill.
In the little home the New Year
had dawned cold and cheerless. There
was no happiness, no good cheer there.
The wolf was bowling at the door, and
the strong arm Of the law stood ready
to evict the aged couple who had
i stood the sh altering blasts OF 80 many
storms.
Jchn reached .be little home. He
lesped from the buggy and was ST ort-
~ In she arms of those who had given
him life. Il was G sweet home-oom-
ing, tinged with the sadness Of press
ing need. But that day the parents
buried their sorrow. They would be
cheerful for Johns sake. Around
the open fireplace the trio sat until
the shades Of gloom began to cast a
veil over :hs faoe of the sun.
Then John told them of his oil
we'll; of the purpose Of his visit; of
how he meant to raise the mortgage.
The old man and old woman hung on
his words in breathless suspense.
Then the good, patient mother fell to
weeping, silently. The old man
brushed tear from his eye. and with
trembling hands took down from the
high riantle the old and worn Bible
He read, "Bless the Lord, oh, my
soul, and forget not all His benefits. y
| After the reading the little group
knelt around ths freside and an elo.
quent prayer was offered. There was
happiness in that home.
I