The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-11-29

Duncan himself, rather put damper on 1t by directing that a vacant chair be placed at Henry's. old place. This was recognized as an unheard of re- lenting on the part of the father, but while 1t filled the mothers heart with hope. it spread a pail over the feast, In the meantime the absent one had not found the world so easy a conquest as he had anticipated. When he left home his one idea was to put distance between his father and him self. So he had gone to a far city and finding it hard to obtain employ ment, and still pushed on by a wild desire to go farther and wet farther from his home. he shipped on ves- sel bound to a distant land. The fate of an able-bodied seaman before the mast is not a bed of roses, tine green horn is worse than a slave, as Henry found out. As days grew into weeks and months, and he found only unre- Ienting toll rewarded by curses and blows, he became terribly sick of 1t all
 In Australia he deserted and was captured and put in Jail. where he took sick and Fnearly died. Released at last, he went outs broken in health and spirit. and penniless. He wan dered from place to place, doing what he could to get mere sood and lodging until finally he succeeded in getting an opportunity to work his way back to America.
 when he landed 1t was three years since his quarrel with his father, and from the perspective of his later troubles he realized how trivial was the cause of 1t all He was ready to give up his losing fight against a hostile world and end 1t all in the dark river.
 A feeling of terrible lonesomeness -an unutterable homesickness pos- sessed him and he resolved to see before he carried out his purpose. So he took up his slow and painful way back to the old home town. As a last straw to break his wounded spirit he arrived on Thanksgiving day. It had been a great day of feasting and joy at the old home and he dragged his weary feet along and frightened the belt about his gnawing stomach, vis- ions of the great table and its load of cheer, and all the kindly faces about 1t, arose in contrast to his present suf- fering and misery.
 He sat in clump of bushes for hours and feasted his eyes on the house and all the familiar objects. He saw the guests arrive. and the sharp est panB or all snOt tuIOuSH utIn as he saw Kettle trip into the house
 Fool that I was," he said to him. self, I might at least have kept her love if I had not been so hot to get away" A
 well, it's for the best" he added. She probably has forgotten me by this time, and is happy in the love of some better man. I shall not drag her down in misery anyway"
 Finally a great purpose possessed him. He would steal up and get glimpse of the feast and all the peo- pie as they sat about the board. He knew a good vantage point
 The dinner had but fairly started when little Alice. with cry. slid from her chair and darted out of the door. Hettie was scarcely behind her. There were sounds of a scuffle on the un- used sideporch, and mans voice mixed with the girls.
 William Duncan arose and strode outside. Presently he returned arm in arm with a pale. emaciated figure, to whose other side Alice and Hottie chung.
 Henry has come home again" he