The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1916-03-24

Uncle Tom Cabin. The VISITING
troupe carried their own scenery and
had their own property man, so Ca
briel simply supplied helpers in set
ting the scenes and the like and had
leisure.
At just nine o'clock a stranger. the
attendant from the children's home.
came behind the scene leading a wan
faced, big-eyed little fellow by the
hand. Gabriel had provided an easy
chair at quiet part of the stage. The
attendant placed little Humphrey in
this and departed with the words:
Back at noon, sharp"
Gabriel Dyke drew a deep breath
and gazed with tremulous, fearful
longing at the little mite before him.
The child was peering anxiously all
about him. AS his glance fell to the
face OF Humphrey those marvellous
eyes expanded, he put out a yearn-
ing hand and seraphic smile crossed
his face
Why he cried joyfully, you are
my fatherl'
What. WHAT" gasped Gabriel, lost
IN overpowering wonderment
Aren't you?" went on little Humph.
rey. Why, knew you at once, for
pray for you every night, Just
as dear mamma told me to, and be-
sides, haven't | your picture-see ?"
and the child drew forth a locket. 1t
held the picture OF husband and wife.
taken many years before
A yelling sense of hope and 10y
thrilled Gabriel. 1t seemed as though
some plying angel had come with gen.
tie balm for his wounded heart. He
swayed as in some rapt vision as the
little one prattled on. He learned
how faithful the mother had been in
caring for him, trusted OF necessity,
but tenderly, to the charge of others.
The new dramatic troupe went on
with its rehearsal. Little Humphrey.
exhausted with excitement and ia
tigue, fell into a gentle slumber. Ga.
briel did not disturb him. but sat
devouring with love and longing the
sweet cherubic face.
Gabriel paid little attention to the
actors and the scenes about him. The
grand transformation scene of Uncle
Toms Cabin was just finishing when
the child awoke. Humphrey rubbed
his eyes and stared in ecstasy at the
wonderful picture that had always
dazzled youthful eyes.
Mammal" he suddenly screamed.
and put out his arms. "Oh, you said
that some day among the angels we
should meet dear papa again. 1t is true
it is true!"
Was the child in delirium? Gabriel
started up, alarmed. Then he saw,
stepping down from her place as
an angel in the transformation
scene, a woman fastening toward
Humphrey-indeed, his mother!
How did you come here?" she
cried, enfolding the child in a glad
embrace. and then with a wild start
she recognized her husband.
My soul was hungering to see
"as it has been for you, these lone
ly years." and Gabriel stumblingly
explained, and the little one snuggled
up close to both of them.
And both were in tears, contrite,
glad of the reunion, happy to revive
the old love that had glorified their
lives.
"Oh, mammal" cried little Humph-
reg, its come just as you said it
would-the beautiful gold suns, and
the angels! You said we would meet
dear papa there, some day. Is it
heaven"
Myra Dyke fell into her husbands
arms, subdued, contrite,
like a weary bird of passage into the
home nest
1t is, indeed, heaven" murmured
Gabriel Dyke, reverently, and with
soul filled with new-fOund happiness.