The evening world., 1911-01-07

was only fourteen Wnen / ran
away to sea-" the father told his wife.
He'll come back when he's hungry.
One day, nearly two years ago. or
nine years after Hans's disappearance.
a stranger Knocked at the door.
On. another peddler." said the
mother. who could see the figure OF a
man through the hail from the kitchen.
Go. Margaret and see what he wants
Margaret was Hans's young sister. She
went to the door. rs mother In? Don't
you know me. Margaret" the stranger
asked. Margaret didn't and ran to her
mother. The stranger followed her. and
wha a nerve! thought the mother. al
she saw the stranger walking toward
her through the hall.
Mother. don you know me?" the
stranger asked As he approached. The
voice was enough. In a second Hans
and his mother were in each others
arms.
News OF the return OF the ~prodigal
son swept the neighborhood. The father
was from his work at Port
Chester and a family reunion was on
in earnest. Then the story of Hans's
long absence was told.
Hans had only three hours In which
TO tell It. He had to return that night
to Canada, where he had been all
those long Mint years. He was in the
army there. having enlisted when a
youngster. though posing as much older.
Doctor His Sponsor.
Hans had Joined the army through
DR.. Murphy OF Halifax, but though
regularly enlisted he did little or no
army service. He was with DIR. Muir
ply all the time. DR.. Murphy took
care OF him. and It was during this
time that he got his first taste of ath-
letics.
Hans took TO rowing n lot n thus
developed himself into q fine physical
specimen. After four years n seven
months Hans bought his way out OF
the British Army and Joined the Cres-
cent Club of Halifax. His first real
race was on snow shoes. which he won.
establishing a new record for a mile.
4 He afterward won the great Herald
road race. and incidentally had a bet
OF $50 on himself, getting the remuner-
nting odds OF 10 to !, and he became
such a great favorite in Halifax that he
was called 1.-The pride of Halifax" and
was presented with a handsome gold
watch.
Another race, which Holmer won and
OF which little Is known. he captured
when almost a cripple. He had beer
suffering from blood poison weeks be
fore the race and begged to be taker
from the hospital to see the race, AR
irving on tho scene. he begged to b
allowed to run He started, ana nm
ished far in front.
Holmer's recent races are compar
atively ~well-known, but only few knew
why he lost the big international
Marathon at the Polo Grounds las
, spring, when he was carried on tn
track, with his feet cut and split. afte
leading for twenty miles. Holnfer wa
heartbroken then because his mothe
was looking on. He wanted her to SO
him win. He wore new shoes that da!
instead of his old ones. These shoe
have since been cut to pieces and dis
tributed among his friends as souvenirs
HoImer Is Modest.
| Holmer is naturally OF a shy. ~retirinI
Q disposition. his mother says. with littl
!, craving for notorlety. Thus II was
without any brass M accompaniment
, he slipped away to Scotland. after tell
' ing comparatively few of his plans. DR.
Estabrook of the Bronx accompanied
= him. His mother and a few relative
went to the boat to see him off. an
r with one suit of clothes. two changes o
. underwear and Sparrow" Robertson
shoes. which Hans regarded as lucky
he sailed away.
! The last words his mother to hin
on the boat were, Hans. ! hope 20
. win the race"
Don't worry. mother. TIL win IN
race, sure. I know II. and III brtn
you back tire prize. You'll DO proud q
me when I come back"
Hans hasn't sent any word Of h!
. Homecoming. His mother rays he
come home, as he went away. Quisti,
The West Farm folks. however. win b
prepared for him. While everybody q
: home Is proud and rejoicing over Han
there is n member OF the famtl,
Brother Bert, who Is electrical eng
neering IN the far South Andes Mour
a tains. In absolute ignorance Of h!
3. brothers. latest honors. An Evenin
World. conveying the news. 10 or III
way TO him now.