Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1907-09-19
DR.. Shops
Headache
Tablets
N. HANSEN.

ly. Whatever 1 am, or have been, 1
have never taken a dishonest penny's
worth"
| II believe you. Shake hands on it,"
He was taken into the home as a
boarder and known only as John
| Smith.
The saucy freedom of the tramp
gave way to the grave, respectful bear
ing of gentleman toward Mrs. Aus.
tin, and though at times he INDUCED
in merry conversation, the saucy bra
vado was quite gone from it. His
first earnings had been invested in
suit of fine clothing, and Mrs. Austin
had persuaded him into habit of reg
ular church going, and altogether the
frowsy, dirty tramp who had sum-
moned Mrs. Austin to her back door
with Hello, there" that Sabbath
morning, would hardly have been rec
ognized in this quiet, gentlemanly per.
son who was now an inmate Of her
home. In all this time he had given
no clew to his own past, and nearly
a year passed by and Thanksgiyins
day was fast drawing near again
when she found him one day bending
over paper upon which his eyes were
fastened, his face pale and convulsed
with feeling.
What is it, John?" she said, in
alarm. Can help you in any way?"
Read that" he pointed to a para
graph, saying: ut is the first word
I've heard from home in ten years."
1t was an obituary notice of a
wealthy and influential citizen of a
distant city, and with the eulogy the
mention of the fact that grief for the
hayward course of an only and
long lost son had been the prime cause
of his death.
and you, John"
II am the hayward son, Mrs. Aus
tin, and in addition to remorse for my
own foolishly wasted years, l must
carry that of bringing down my ia.
theirs gray hairs in sorrow to the
grave. Do you know what you have
done for me, Mrs. Austin, what depths
you have rescued me from When I
caIne to you that Sunday morning,
| had come to the very husks of my
career, and | didn't much care what
became of me or what did; but you
| spoke kind word in season-you set
me out portion of food in way
which reminded me of my home, of
~ mother, and the bread and to
tpale in my fathers house. You did
pot see the tears in my eyes when
wen. out, but | believe God did Then
your good husband continued your
work by offering me honest employ
ment and you took me into your
home as guest You cannot know
how that day in your home inspired
me to try for better things, to re-
gain little at least of the manhood
had cost"
and you have, john" Mrs. Aus
tins eyes We're wet with tears as the
mans eager eloquence fell upon her
ear gratefully. Whatever you have
been in the past, this present year has
been well spent"
II am not John. had SO dis
graced my honorable name that / had
no right TO use it, but if you think l
am worthy to bear it again, call me
Franklin Richards, the name on my
baptismal card" he said, gravely. "It
is shor, history, Mrs. Austin, the
old, old ole of the Prodigal Son who
took his portion from home and
wasted it IN riotous living, only that
my father is not there now to wei.
come me hbme."
But the mother is" Mrs. Austins
face lighted up brightly.
yes, and lovely girl, my fathers
ward We were to have been mar.
ried, but she has doubtless driven me
from her heart before now. l deserve
it all and more;;" his head dropped
dejectedly.
Don't despair; it will all come
right, l am sure it will, and you must
write home this very day. You should
have done so long ago."