Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-05-24
The Prodigal's
Return
But He Was
A Substitute
By WILLARD BLAKEMAN

parents or his little sister Ethel good
by, not communicating with them "a
erward, he wrecked the comfort of
the family. His mother died within a
few years, and her death left the old
man desolate indeed. His eyesight and
his hearing were both impaired. His
daughter Ethel. poor girl, had a hard
time with him. To read to him was
difficult, since she was obliged to shout.
and he could not see to read himself.
Ethel loved her father, but it was
natural that she should wish for some
thing more inspiring than taking care
OF broken down old man. She was
but eleven years old when her brother
went away and fourteen when her
mother died. When at times she would
nave a temporary respite from the
care of her father, like many another
girl, she would dream of the prince
who would come to marry her and give
her the comforts of home that would
be her Own-and his.
One morning there was a knock at
the door. Ethel was upstairs and did
not hear the summons 1t sounded
again and this time loud enough for
Mr.. Bartlett to hear. He went to the
door and opened it. There stood
young man.
II am looking for the home of Mr.
Bartlett said the stranger. Have
struck the right house?"
Speak louder" replied Bartlett, put,
ting his hand to his ear. I'm hard of
hearing
Il am trying to find Mr.. Bartlett,
and l think you are he. judge b.
the resemblance your SOM
my SOM"
"Yes, your son Sam"
"Sam?"
YES"
"Oh, Sam. my boy, how could you
have left US as you did with never a
word all these long years? You killed
your poor mother, and l have one foot
in the grave. How could you? How
could you?"
The father put his arms around the
StTduSer 5 neck anu WepC-
The visitor was standing in this abb
surd position, not knowing whether to
mingle his tears with those of the
weeping father or to laugh, when he
saw an attractive looking girl descend.
ing the staircase.
But I'll not reproach you, Sam,"
continued Mr.. Bartlett. Il dare say
was severe with you, and a spirited
boy won't stand too much correction.
I'm glad you've come back and to stay
haven't you? Oh, stay with usi
Ethel and l are so lonely, and we need
your help. Your old father needs a
strong young arm and brain to sup
port him"
By these words and the half amused,
half sympathetic look on the face of
the stranger Ethel understood that her
father had made mistake. Dreading
to have him suddenly disabused, fear
ing reaction consequent upon disap-
pointment, she gave the young man a
meaning look and put finger on her
lips as signal for silence. Her IA
theirs back was to her, so he did not
zee her, and she, wishing to release the
visitor from his embarrassing position,
laid her hand softly On the old mans
shoulder. He turned and saw her.
"Oh. Ethel" he exclaimed joyfully,
who do you suppose this is? Your
long lost brother Sam has returned"
He disengaged himself from his sup
posed son that Ethel might embrace
the prodigal But Ethel stood mute.
Forgive him, Ethel, as l have for
given him. Forget the past and what
he might have been to us during the
years that are gone. 1t was l who
drove him away by my harshness.
Forgive him for my sake"
Il forgive him, father" said Ethel.
But there was no warmth in the
words, nor did Ethel greet her broth
er with sisterly kiss. An expression
OF infinite pain crossed the fathers
face. The stranger saw it and stepped
in the breach.
Forgive me, Ethel,' he said. 81
have done very wrong"
He advanced to her with ontstretch.
ed arms. Ethel drew back
Ethel" cried her father in an agony.
The stranger folded her in his arms
and kissed her Had the old man bet,
ter eyesight he would have known by
the bushes that the kiss was not a
brotherly and sisterly one And had
not the two whose sight was perfect
strongly approved of each Others per.
sonal appearance. had not each seen
in the others expression that approval
besides something akin to loves firs,
spark, probably the girl might not
have blushed. The old man put one
arm around his supposed son and the
other around his daughter. forcing
them to prolong their embrace
Thank heaven. my dear children
for this reunionr
Father" said Ethel. let Us hea,
what Sam has to say iii explanation
or, rather. had better hear il frst
and repeat it to you. You know yo,
have grown very deaf since he weni