The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1904-03-18

|
was the best ever turned out since
we got the new COWS. Mention a word
about my raised biscuits and say a
little som ething about the bees and
the nice honey. 1t would come like q
breath from the old sweet home when
poor Cousin Jim reads all that.
He will hardly be able to wait, poor
boyl;
1t was the same old homecoming,
only Cousin Jim hunched over a little
more in the buggy as Silas drove from
the station through the shady lanes
of NAPLES leading to the little farm
house ensconced among the apple trees
at the further end.
During the short drive he said but
little, and when Silas asked him a
question he hesitated, faltered and rub
bed his chin before replying When
Old Gray turned down the lane where
the robins were singing and the squir-
rels chippering, trace of the old light
came back to the old bachelors eyes
and the faded, sunken cheeks glowed a
little.
"Si," he murmured, laying his thin
hand upon the others knee, ''let me
drive Old Gray home through the
lane
The lines hung lstlessly from his
hands as the old mare walked slowly
along the familiar place toward the
house, where Mandy stood in the door
way with glad smile of welcome over
spreading her kindly face. Then when
the horse halted at the block, he said,
handing over the lines:
II think | have been driving right
into heaven, ST."
"Why Cousin Jim, am 50 glad to
see you again. 1t seems 80 like old
times TO see you and Silas driving
home through the lane" And the
good woman came forward, with both
hands outstretched. Her eyes grew
moist when she saw b ow feeble the old
bachelor cousin was. She and Silas
had to almost lift him from the buggy,
and her strong arms supported the
frail form as lie walked with dragging
steps up the gravel walk and into the
cool, flower scented parlor. His eyes
roved about the quiet place and he
sighed:
Heaven, Heaven at las,!''
You lie rig ght down on the couch,
Cousin Jim, and take nap while !
get supper. I'll call you in time to
wash and freshen up, I'm going to
have raised biscuits and honey-you
always liked that"
The tired man laid his head back
and murmured:
"Dear Mandy! l am so glad to get
back home again. will rest for a
few moments. l am so tired-and so
80 happy to get home-home!"
Mandy went out and closed the par
lor door. This must be heaven-at
last. 1t is so still, 80 sweet, so nice.
Tomorrow l will 90 down to the mill
dam; l will go to the old swimming hole
under the willows once more, where
dear old ST and I used to swim. l
will sit on the stoop in the cool Of the
evening, and-I will be at home once
more with the good and true and un-
selfish ones."
And thus be murmured as he drifted
into the lands Of sweet dreams. At
rest, finally, there in the cool, flower
scented parlor Of the little farm house,
afar from the noise and hustle of the
city.
The bt es buzz ID among the lilacs,
where the humming birds whirred;
apple blossoms bunted against the
blinds and the fragrant petals fell
upon the sleeper's face-but he did not
stir. He was dreaming of tie dear
old days Of boyhood, days filled with
Joy and delight and sweetness.
Then the good angel of the old mans
dreams came in a chariot of silver, and
his eyelids were touched with magic
wand He roved in green pastures,
where blue cloud.heeced skies bent;
and he wandered by crystal streams in
the cool shady woodlands where birds
made glad the fragrant breezas Of the
summer day of unending bliss.
And ,hen-then it was no longer a
dream. Oh, the glory of it all! 1t
was blessed reality.
"Jlm!''
There came no response from the
old man on the couch.
"Silas, come quick! All is not we'll
with poor jim
They approached the couch and