The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-03-01
BY WILLARD BRAKEMAN 1

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When Sam Bartlett AT sixteen went
away from home without bidding bis
parents or his little sister Ethel good
by. not communicating with them aft
erward, be wrecked the comfort of
The family. His mother died within a
few years, and her death left the old
man desolate indeed His eyesisht and
his hearing were both impaired. His
daughter Ethel. poor girl. had 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 1t was
natural that she should wish for some
thing more inspiring than taking care
but eleven years old when her brother
went away and fourteen when her
mother died When at times she would
have 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
MIR. Bartlett to hear. He went to the
door and opened 1t. There stood
young man.
Il am looking for the home Of Mr..
Bartlett" said the stranger. Have l
struck the right house?'
Speak louder" replied Bartlett, put
ting his hand to his ear. I'm hard OF
hearing"
II am trying to find a Mr.. Bartlett
and think you are he. Judge by
the resemblance your SON.
MY SOM"
"Yes. your son Sam"
SAM"
"Yes."
"Oh. Sam. my boy, how could you
have left us as you did with never
word all these long years? You killed
your poor mother, and ! have one foot
in the grave How could you? How
could your"
The father put his arms around the
strangers neck and wept.
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 IN 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 your Oh. stay with US!
Ethel and 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 or
the stranger Ethel understood that her
father had made a mistake. Dreading
to have him suddenly dsabused. fear
ing a reaction consequent upon disap-
pointment. she gave the young man
meaning look and put finger on her
| lips as q signal for silence. Her Ia.
theirs back was to her. so he did not
see 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 ! have for.
given him. Forget the past and what
lie might have been to us during the
years that are gone. 1t was ! who
drove him away by my harshness.
Forgive him for my sake
~ forgive him. father" said Ethel.
| Dut tDeTe was w o'h'u "A 49,
words, nor did Ethel greet her broth
er with a sisterly kiss. An expression
OF infinite pain crossed the fathers
face. The stranger sew It and stepped
in the breach,
Forgive me. Ethel" be said. Il
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 bis arms
and kissed her Had the old man bet
ter eyesight be would have known by
the bushes that the kiss was not
brotheriy and siSierly one. And had
not the two whose sight was perfect
strongly approved Of each others per
sonal appearance. bad not each seen
IN the Others expression that approval,
besides something akin to loves first
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 10 prolong their embrace.
Thank heaven. my dear children.
for this rcunionr
"E.tbor" safd Ethel "lpt Us hear