Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1916-03-10
No. 800
HIS JOURNEY HOME
BY EUNICE UNDERWOOD

The morning was very pleasant
but 90 far all the mornings had beer
pleasant at this delightful out Of th,
way resort. Mrs. Bradford drew
long breathas she descended the no
tel steps. Her physician had Ger
tainly been right when he recon-
mended a change Of climate. AL
ereadY she began to feel the influence
Of the mild air and the long day
spent out Of doors AIS she reached
thesidewalk shepaused 18th d ques
tioning smile.
"Where to, Mildred?0 she asked.
The little girl who was skipping
along by her side looked up brightly
"The plaza, Of course, mamma
You can read, and I will play. This
afternoon well 60 down on the
beach,"
It was not far to the plaza, but
when they reached it, after passing,
with a shudder, the penitentiary on
the way, they found that most Of
the settees were already occupied.
They walked down one of the side
paths and came back by the foun-
tain. AS they did SO Mildred turn
ed suddenly.
There's a seat that's most all
empty" she whispered eagerly.
1t was a little off the path and
half hidden by the low branches of
a live oak. Ashley approached Mrs.
Bradford noticed that its only occu-
pant was tall young man whose
face looked strangely white and
eager. He watched them curiously
as they sat down, and his lips part
ed in a friendly smile. Then, as
though conscious Of improperly, he
got up and began to walk back and
forth uneasily. For a time Mrs.
Bradford scarcely noticed him, then
something peculiar about bis step
caused her to raise her eyes from
the book she was reading. The
young man seemed to have forgot
ten their presence and was walking
back and forth with bowed head.
Every few seconds he wheeled sharp
ly and retraced his steps.
Mrs. Bradford noticed with cu-
rious wonder That he always wheeled
at exactly the same points Then
she saw that his left foot dragged
behind the other as though 1t car
ried heavy weight. Alt first she
thought he was lame, but even while
she was compassionating him he
raised his head with a quick, startled
movement, and for time the lame
ness disappeared and the walk was
extended to the end Of the path.
Owt in the path Mildred was play
ing with her ball. At length it
struck a limb and bounded toward
the young man. He picked it up
eagerly and half rose to his feet;
but, seeing the frightened look on
her face, he tossed it back and re-
sumed his slouching position on the
grass,
After awhile the ball again rolled
to his feet. This time he did not
offer to return it. As Mildred APP
preached he looked up with a smile.
"The covers coming off your
ball." he said pleasantly. IF you'll |
let me I'll fix it. / know how"
"But mamma said I'd have totake
it to a shoemaker" she answered |
"Leather's awful hard |
to sew"
mot if you have things to work |
with" he said quietly. "See here"
Taking small package from his
pocket, he opened it and showed her
several curious needles and some
coarse, shining thread.
"They gave them to me when
left the-the place where | learned |
my trade" he said in low voice.
II don't suppose I shall ever use
them. My folks will not let me do
that. But | shall always keep them
near me. Some time | may need
advice, and this little package win
be able to tell me a great many
great many sad things
which you will never understand, |
little one" he added gently.
Mildred gazed at him wondering
y, but as she saw the skilled fngers
draw the leather over the ball and
fasten it securely in place her look
IF wonder changed to one Of pleas
ire.
"I'm ever SO much obliged" she
said gratefully. "I'd hate awfully
10 lose the ball. Grandpa gave it to
me-" She watched him few mo-
nents in silence, then added with a
sudden burst Of confidence, Grand
be lives at our house, and we're GO
ng home soon 8 it gets warm"