The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-12-24
The Prodigal's Retura--A Xmas Story

over me and, being unable to get in
terested l laid the paper aside and
commenced to whistle a lively tune
for company's sake.
Having ordered my supper when
first I arrived, it was some minutes
before my silent host appeared with
my meal, but feeling very hungry
quickly got to business, not until,
however, | ordered a bottle of his
rare wine and invited the old man
to join me Success to the coming
festive season"
Evidently a great worry was upon
his mind for he drank in an absent
minded manner then removed the
dishes.
The usual good, congenial COM
pany l had SO often met there on
my previous visits were conspicuous
| by their absence, but l attributed
this to the fact that most of them
were busy, perhaps, in their own
homes preparing for Christmas
/ inquired of the OLD man as to
| the whereabouts of his boy, Dick,
who had seemed to be the life and
light of the place, SO good natured,
happy and business-like. I missed
the lad. A frown came over his
countenance as he slowly replied,
Don't know; gone away"
Not wishing to pain him by con-
tinuing topic apparently distaste-
full, | inquired after the health of
Mrs. Flint. but here again was cut
short with curt reply
She's here somewhere"
Wishing to cheer the old man up,
| | ordered fresh bottle for both Of
us, for the heat of the room and the
wine / had already taken was caus-
| ing.
! 7 wished him to ask his wife to
! join us, but he made no reply and
! let the matter drop.
| He still maintained his silent atti-
tude and no words of mine could
| bring him to a sociable spirit, but as
he poured out the wine I noticed his
hand shook violently. so much so
that it was over the brim. split, be-
| fore he could steady himself
! I did not wish him to see that
had noticed anything unusual in his
ways so, reaching for a long clay
! Churchwarien pipe that laid on the
mantelshelf, I began smoking in sill
ence
The wind was bowling outside, but
except for the ticking Of the old
grandfathers clock and ever and
| anon spark flying from the fire,
was undisturbed in my meditations.
Slowly the hours rolled on, very SLOW
ly. to be sure. for time seems only
to pass quickly when we are either
in good company or busily occupied
at some pleasant undertaking Think
ing however. of my many friends
back home. 7 pulled out my pocket
| book with a view to making a list
of Christmas presents. as is general
~ the custom.
AS I did so 7 accidentally dropped
two notes of money value upon the
floor. but quickly recovering these
placed them in my wallet among the
others already there. I noticed as l
! did so mine host start suddenly and
| then he recovered himself quickly,
/ but not giving the matter further
/ thought. | asked for my light and
prepared to go to my room. desir
/ ing him to call me next morning,
/ for my journey homewards at the
early hour of 6 a. m
! 1t must have been some ten min
utes later when he returned with a
/ lighted candle, and reckoning me to
follow, led the way up stairs.
Passing along the corridor he
pushed open bedroom door and in
much agitated voice said: This
was my boys room-Dick' Good
night
!