The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-01-18
Ibefr favorite Son.

the new owner, and stood on the other
side of the street, taking q last look at
what had been their home for more
than four decades.
"Do not look so sad, Dan," said Mrs.
Parker. "We will go to a hotel for a
day, and then we 60 to New York. to
our Alfred, and give him great sur
prise. Just think how pleased he and
his wife will bel OF course, they'll not
let us 60 away any more, but will in.
sist that we stay with them for good
And we shall do 80, too! Where else
in the world can we feel as comfort
able as with dear Alfred and his
family? And you, Dan? Why, can
picture our two grandchildren climbing
on your knees, pulling away at your
gray whiskers, and calling you grandpa,
desr! Won't that be nice ?"
eyes, yes, mother" replied her hus-
band, enthusiastically; sit will all be as
you say, and 1 shall enjoy it immensely.
And you mustn't think that feel sad.
Of course, it is not so easy for us old
folks to tear ourselves away from a
life we have been accustomed to for so
long time; but then Alfred and his
wife and children will make up for all
that"
Early the next morning the old
couple we're at the station. Only once
or twice since their marriage had they
been away from home, and even then
no farther than Wheeling. No wonder,
therefore, that they considered the
eleven hours journey a great event.
Dressed in good but out-of-date clothes
Mrs. Parker actually wore her we'd
ding dress-innumerable boxes and
parcels under their arms, the two old
worthless presented rather ludicrous
appearance; but the good-natured ex-
preston on their faces quickly gained
them the sympathy of the conductor
and of the passengers. Snugly depos-
tied in double seat, all their parcels
heaped in front of them, the Parkers
soon felt at home, and passed the long
hours by picturing to themselves the
unbounded joy Alfred and wife would
exhibit when they Unexpectedly entered
their home that evening.
When about an hours ride from New
Y ork, the conductor announced sta.
tion, the name of which the old folks
recognized as that of the place where
their son Tom lived. Only about six
weeks ago they had received letter
from Tom announcing the birth o1
another baby-the third.
"What do you say if we pay visit tt
Tom, wife ?" asked Mr.. Parker.
GA visit to Tom? Indeed not! How
did that idea enter your head? Die
Tom ever give us pleasure? No, NO
we'll go to Alfred who loves u.s."
"Well, just as you say, mother" wa
Parker's meek reply. II only though
that he too is our son, and while he ha
not given us much pleasure, we surei
have never done anything for him."
! But they looked eagerly out of tn
window when they came to the well
!. kept little station, and could not hel
admiring the pleasant surro findings o
the place.
On reaching New York, the Parker
, took cab and were driven to hanC
, some residence near Central Park. /
} servant came out and said that hi
| master could receive no strangers tina
l evening, as he was expecting a larg
l company.
"That's all right, my good man. W
r are his parents. Just help us in wit
/ our packages"
D The servant looked with astonisl
/ ment at the old couple, but did as b
}, was bid. When he opened the fror
d door, little boy and girl were jul
t coming down the stairs with the
governess.
t "There you are, my sweet darling
J. cried Mrs. Parker, lifting up the be
L and embracing him tenderly, tho tt
q little fellow fought desperately again
this procedure.
q "Please, Man," demonstrated Il
d governess, taking the child out of Il
o. old woman's arms, "this is rath