The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-03-10
THE RETURN OF
THE PRODIGAL
GEoRG E hartley


his soft felt hat, leaned over the rail OF
short trips between Bar Harbor and
Jonesport twice and thrice a week.
The man seemed somehow out OF
place among the stOrekeeprs and small
tradesmen. who had brought babies, bot
ties. and biscuits, and were having an
outing.
The little steamer kept close in shore
after leaving the harbor and the man
looked up at the giant red cliffs, their
summit crowned with crisp salt grass,
as if every landmark was familiar.
His hand was brown and sinewy, like
himself. and the cigar he held he dropped
overheard rs the tiny craft came in sight
of Sidbri6ge.
There is no pier there; the leyiathan
craft only stops there when ordered. To
get ashore the boat gently noses the
walk the plank"
Tho man, looking ShOrewarGs, took out
a fresh cigar, and, as it would not light.
he held it in his hand, looking still shore
wards, and his Enthusiastically the
hand of a WOrker-trembled
rent in the cliff cuts Sidbridge in
half.
Looking up from the sea one sees
houses on either side of the assure; a
square lowered stone church crowns all.
AS has been said, there is no pier or
landing stage. and bare legged little
fellows were rolling about On lumber
colored nets spread out to dry.
Good God"-aHd there seemed no
SAVIOR of irreyerence as the man spoke
the words, and his keen gray eyes were
moist" not speck of change-not
speck! No railway apparently no pier,
40 anything. after 20 years! And I've
come 10000 miles to see you and find
you just as | left yOu."
''Eh-eh? Its my body that has
srOwn old, not my heart"
DO you get eff here, sir?"
Yes, purser, and look out for me on
Jour way back. What quaint old place
this seems TO be-"
The purSer laughed.
They say of SiGbridge that no one
ever dies there and nc change has taken
place for so years or more
All, it's different on my side. I'm
from the other side of the world"
Herbert Seaton walked the plank, the
only passenger to alight, leaving buns
and babies behind him, and, carrying
his grip, he went up the main street,
looking keenly from hand to hand.
The names on the few stores were IA
miliar to him. He nodded and gave
Good day" to an old lady summing her
self upon the doorstep, who returned
his greeting with no sign of recognition.
The old orGer changeth, giving place
to the new.
And God fulfillS himself in many ways"
he quoted and walked on. grip in hand,
his eyes glancing hither and thither.,
Behind the coast guards cottage is
small square. You enter it from the
main street by narrow passage that
looks like cul dc sac. but it opens out
into tiny quadrangle, where the sound
Of the sea scarcely penetrates.
The houses-all of one pattern-are
lime washed and tiled, with green shut
ters, and the rust from the hinges has
stained them almost red in patches.
And the man made his way towards
one with feet that Jagged. The green
shutters, the hall mark of responsibility.
hung awry, and their hinges were rusted
He turned to the next house and knocked
at the door.
At the house of his quest the front
door swung to and fro.
Can you tell me where Mrs Haygarth
has moved to-
Il have never heard the name, sir"
did not Mrs. Haygarth-her name
was Radford before her marriage-come
here to live on her wedding day?"
'RadfCrd is a common name here, sir.
There are three Margaret RaGfords in
the parish now,
But the Margaret mean married the
New York broker 20 years ago."
That is long before my time, sir.
But the broker, | have heard, was killed
on his wedding day"
Give NE the address of these Mar
garet Radfords. I've been clean away
for many years.
The Yankee speech slipped back to the
mans tongue, and the young woman
laughed, for at first the man spoke with
the twang of a foreigner.
Well she said, the laugh still upon
her lips, there's Margaret who's gone
clean away Margaret who bides to
Salcombe. and the schulz mistress-her
what bides tew Peak schulz"
What bonny maid! Is that yours?
There, mite!"
And he put a gold piece into the ready
title palm.
Who am to thank, sir?"
Herbert Seaton."
And not a tinge of recognition came
over the woman's face.
He was as forgotten as if he'd never
"bided few Sidbridge," and the woman
he was talking to and he were sweet
hearts 20 years before.
So he made his way to Margaret Rad
ford who bided near the church, and
finding the announcement that apart
ments were to let, engaged a bedroom,
and there was no grumbling about her
terms, for the Australian had generosity
all over him!
Then Herbert Seaton made his way up