Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-27
The Argus Daily Story
Release F. A. Mitchell
Copyrighted. 1911. by Associated Literary Bureau.

tower began to ring out a Christmas
carol. he recognized It as one famil-
lar to him. He Strengthened as he lis
tened; cheerier expression came upon
his face: his eye lighted with n more
natural glow. The fact that It was
Christmas morning came back to him
not only that it was Christmas morn
ing but that the frightful prison life
was behind him.
He stepped out with more vigor. II
the prison was behind him home was
before him. He remembered his chill
dren as they were when he had left
them. He had not consented that they
should come to see their father in
prison and in stripes. But NOW that
he was free and dressed as other men
the thought OF seeing them once more
made his heart leap. And on Christ
mas morningi At that moment they
were likely exchanging presents, for
he remembered that they were not the
tiny things they were when he had
been torn away from them, but were
nearly a decade older. He had been
so benumbed toward them and the
world during his term in prison that
he had thought little Of the changes
accruing. But now he strove to pic
ture how each one would look.
He had not forgotten the way to his
home. 1t was the same, except for the
new buildings. Here, where there han
been vacant lots. had arisen a large
public school. There, where had stood
a rookery, doomed a handsome bust
ness block. He walked along. gather
ing steadiness as he proceeded, noting
the changes. when suddenly he heard
behind him voice calling him.
George
He knew that voice. He would
have known It among a babel OF
voices. And now not even the Christ
mas chimes were sweeter to him. He
turned and saw the mother of his chill
dren hurrying toward him. She had
been TO the prison and been told that
he had gone. Her face was picture
OF gladness. He advanced quickly to
meet her. but the effort unsteadied
him. When they met in an embrace
it was she who supported him.
They walked on hand IN hand, neither
speaking. What would words avail
to them who had suffered so great a
misfortune? There was relief. there
was gladness, but It rested on a terri,
BILE past.
Suddenly the man, collecting his
scattered senses, saw before him
home. The house looked cramped.
When as newly married man he
had built II, 1t seemed very imposing.
Those years spent in the great pile
where there was room enough for hun
dreds had dwarfed a home only large
enough for one family. There were
evergreen wreaths hanging in the win
dows. and he could see a freight
within.
There he stood In the door OF the liv-
ing room, where children were opening
gifts that lay about the base OF a
Christmas tree. The oldest child was
sixteen, the youngest ten. They looked
at him, wondering who he was. Then
a girl sprang forward, and he felt q
pair of arms about his neck. she was
his Oldest daughter. In a moment they
oil understood and were clinging about
him.
slow rising Joy welled from long
endured past misery. For awhile the
man wondered if he were In a dream.
He half dreaded that he should awaken
and find himself again in his cell or
walking lock step to work or TO meals.
But nature Is kind in healing spiritual
as well as physical wounds. 1t seemed
to him that "A salye had been laid upon
his heart, that a sickening wound had
ceased to bleed, and presently, when
his youngest boy came TO him with n
gift the mother had provided. marked
From father TO Jimmie" and said.
Thank you for this, papa" II seemed
to the released man that he was really
at home and it was really Christmas.
The first smile since he left his home
fitted across his face.
His wife saw 1t and before IL faded
prolonged It by kiss Then the
youngsters insisted on showing him
their presents, and some Of the pres
ents they supposed he had sent them
in former years and new things they
had received or purchased. He went
from room to room. each bringing back
some especial remembrance. In this
one OF the children had been I'll md
had been nearly lost to him: in that
another had taken his first unsteady
steps.
And so the morning passed. little by
little the man regaining IN ability for
comfort. II not real enjoyment
And yet mingled with II all was en-.
toyment-an enjoyment that came by
fits Now and again he would awake
to consciousness that he was not I'm
prison. but had come to his home. IL
was a day OF growing pleasure, for the
capacity for pleasure was all day
breaking through the shell Of the past
horror. When bedtime came he began
to realize fully that the past was end
ed and a new future had been born 10
him. And when he lay bis head on the
soft pillow a blessed comfort stole I'm
upon him that he had never known be-
fore nor would ever know again. The
first sensation Of suffering turned to
Joy like the first zip Of wine. is the
aunataaf