The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-12-06
THE COUNTRYMAN'S
RETURN


Ow flowed a shallow stream Iazily A
road wound around the base Of wood
ed hill, dividing ii from the meadow.
The only sound was an occasional cav
ing Of a crow far up among the tops OF
distant trees.
walking down the road. He was city
dressed and had the quick motions OF a
city man, but as be walked he slack
ened his pace, now and again pausing
to take In some feature OF the view
long ago familiar to him. He had often
walked this same road as country
boy. Again he drove the slow moving
cows. Again he held the reins behind
the horses with which be had plowed
since dawn on the way TO the barn. Is
1t strange that bis quick city step
should have slackened TO that Of a
country lads
Caleb Cox was about to put in prac-
tice the dream of years. AS boy he
had been FESTIVE under the hardships.
as he called them. of country life and
went to the city to better his condition.
He was Of an energetic type and sue
ceeded. Slowly he accumulated till by
lucky stroke he secured ample means
with which to work. From that time
money making had been easy. and at
thirty five he was rich. Then he deter
mined to visit those he had left behind
and help them He would place bis old
father and mother where they would
end their lives without the necessity
for work. Then when he had seen
them In perfect comfort he would re-
tire from business. 80 abroad to see
the world and leave labor to those who
were obliged to labor This was the
dream that had inspired Caleb Cox for
eighteen years.
Passing around the hill. he came upon
a snug farm. The gate clicked behind
him, and. entering the farmhouse door.
he took an old white haired woman In
his arms.
Mother" be said, don't you know
mel I'm Caleb. I've come back after
my long absence to make you and ia
Their comfortable. I've got all the
money want and don't intend to make
any more
I'm glad to see you, my dear boy.
It's been q long while that you have
been away. I've longed for you all
these years. Why haven't you ever
come to see US. Caieb?"
'Why. mother, | couldn't get away
There was no one that would dare
put In my place for minute. but
never mind that. | have been reward
ed for my sacrifce--your sacrifice.
I'm going to take you to the city and
put you in a fine house with plenty
OF servants to wait on you-you and
father. Just think OF It'll You can
get up when you like and 60 to bed
when you like. and nothing to do but
amuse yourself"
The old woman drew away and
looked at him with a kind of fright.
MY dear boy" she said, what would
| do In fine city houseg And what
would your father do? Could you give
US the comfort we have heref Would
stony street be the same to us as
the stream yonder? Would we like to
hear the noises Of the trolley cars as
well as the songs OF the birdsG And
what would we do without the barn
and the spring house. the stock and the
chickensS''
Caleb stood looking at the old wo-
man. load settling upon his heart.
Was this the outcome OF his dream !?
Was this what he had struggled for
and what had kept him so many years
from his dear mother7 When he left
her her hair was brown, In her cheek
was color Since then eighteen years
bad brought her to the close OF her
life, eighteen years OF separation that
could not be lived again.
There was step on the walk. and
the father came In After the greet,
ings Caleb began again the story he
had been telling his mother. but this
time in faint hearted tone, and. In
stead of informing bis father what he
proposed. asked the old man what he
could do for him.
Nothing, dear boy, nothing. Time
was when would have jumped ait the
money to pay or the mortgage, but
since II has been lifted I notice that my
last object has been taken away. Don't
deprive me OF what spur for action
there ID left me In my old age"
But father, mother, you are obliged