Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-01-08
BY FRANK II. SWEET.
upright, 1909. by American Press
Association.

eu MS ulnneT anu WIS now whiting ioI
the help
Every few minutes he glanced i'm
patiently toward the door OF the long
back kitchen.
At last he muttered something under
his breath and slid heavily from the
wall At the same moment he saw
boy approaching.
Docs Mrs. Carter live hereT the
boy asked briskly as he paused in
front Of the man.
shes stayin' here just now" was
the answer. Il guess you'n find her
In the house"
The boy walked on past the barnyard
and up the clam shelled lined path to
the front door Of the old farmhouse.
SIS Mrs. Carter in?" he asked Of the
little old woman who opened the door.
Round In the kitchen. eatin her
dinner" was the mumbling answer.
MEN folks eat fust here Who be yeT"
But the boy had already left the
step and was on his way round to the
kitchen.
The door was partly open. and he
could see a long table. around which
were seated a dozen or more old wo-
men and children lie knocked gently
and repeated his question.
A sweet faced old woman rose and
came to the door
II am Mrs. Carter" she said pleas
antly what do you wishT'
But the boy could not answer
He felt all those curious eyes upon
him. and there was lump in his
throat and terror OF something he
could not understand.
III wish to see you" he stam-
mered at length.
Very well Suppose we go into the
sitting room We can talk better
there"
He followed her through the long
kitchen into big square room that
was scantiy furnished. The old wom-
an motioned him TO chair by the
window where the light rested full
upon his face
Now" she began. then stopped. and
a strange look came into her eyes.
who are your she asked In
troubled voice. IL am getting old and
do not remember as used TO But I
have seen you somewhere"
lie rose from the chair.
mo. you have never seen me before"
he replied. lint folks nsed TO say that
| looked like father ! am John Car
tor Why don't you welcome me
grandmother
She trembled and gazed at him ca
gerry.
Johns boy-come homer she said
vaguely. Then flush came into her
faded cheeks and a glad light into her
eyes. And has--has John conner" she
| asked.
My father died last fall" The boys
voice was very calm. but In II was
depth Of pain which he strove vainly
10 conceal Ills last wish was for
ME 10 come home He said there had
been some misunderstanding between
him and Uncle Richard. but that his
death would make It all right and that
| would be welcome Is Uncle Richard
herc:''
Richard died many years ago. He
told me the whole story and wanted
Johns forgiveness Poor Richard Poor
John
In the dim old eyes was freshen-
ing Of the old pain, and the hoy saw
Il and his own face grew wistfnl aud
sympathetic
Dear grandm0therr ne said softly.
TIL. old woman smiled and tried To
rouse herself
"You and are all there is left" she
said I'VE will not speak of the quar-
rel any more They have made II mp
before this {" Then she took his strong
young hand between her two wrin
kled ones and stroked II fenderly.
How did you lind me. Iackyy' she
asked. using the pet name she had
given his father many years before.
"A man on the road told mo that you
lived IN the big house by the pond II
was easy to find"
And did you come oil the way from
Mexico alone?"
Yes: | am used 10 travelling ! did
not mind It much. except for It's being
lonely | missed father We've were
almost always together"
The brave eyes held back their tears.
but she could feel his hand tremble
IN her grasp.
A cheap clock on the shelf began 20
strike shrilly. but after two or three
spasm0dlc efforts II began TO quaver
and finally stopped altogether
The old woman smiled.
at Ii old and decrepit. just like
everything else about the place." she
remarked sadly
John looked at her inquiringly.
"what does II all mean;" he asked.
~Thlngs do not seem as-as | expected.
Father told mo about Maplcwood and
the long avenue and fine old trees.
looked for them when was coming
up the lane and thought maybe they
had been cut down. ! fancied should
know the place. but II all seems so
strange" Then something In her face
made him ask suddenly. lis Il Maple
woodf"