HI * * T
| i 1- ir i i
| ; . mittEns.
K' . - "Emerson. *
I § * " * Grnco. Beauts * and C/iprlco
I | . Jluild this Roldon portal :
II. " - -Graceful women , choaon met
it' " Darslo every mortal.
| " TTltoir sweet nnd lofty countcnanco
I ; Bin onchunted food.
| p -Ho njcri not go to thom , their" forms
r y 3eaot IiIh Holitnde ,
% f Heloolsoth flcld ) in In thoir faco ,
g/ Hi * cyna oxploro tho Ground
Jp The jrrccn RrnsR is a lookinR-Rlasa
| f - Whereon their traits are found.
yF. Xittlo and less ho Bays to them.
fk -Bo danced his heart in his breast ;
I 'Their tranquil mien bercavcth him ,
S . * " w t , of words , of rent.
R ! 'Too weak to win , too fond to alma
ft * Tho tyrants of his doom ,
f 'The much deceived Endymioa
; J Slips behind a tomb.
I .
I ' " ' '
MS. DOBBS' "WIIIM.
fcp , -Prcrtn tho Arr-osy.
| T Mrand Mrs. Dobbs lived at Clap-
'C Siam. They were a very worthy coup-
' - -e , their friends said. That is about
the best people will say of an elderly
| - * ' ipair if they are not intellectual or
% ' troublesome. Mr. and Mrs. Dobbs
! ' nvere neither. Mr. Dobb3 was stout
I -and commonplace in appearance , and
/ 'did not flirt with his neighbor's wife , or
gamble in stocks , or live beyond his
income. He hall-marked
* was - among
x upright men , and was trustee
; ; for half his friends' chil
dren. No doubt he was a trifle
heavy and prosy at times , but these
-aro drawbacks frequently attendant
" 'upon men of probity. He certainly
was neve tempted by impulses or in
spirations of any sort either to do
twrong or to become witty or original.
Mr9. Dobbs was reputed a respect-
] -able and virtuous matron for other
treasons. Imprimis , she had no ta3te
: ln dress ; neither did she paint her iaco
• or excite the envy and spite of her
'female friends by beautifying her house.
• She was fond of a good dinner of
i • solid English sort , and always
i- "wore black silk or satin gowns.
I -Her caps were preposterous erections
! 'Of lace , with gilt or steel ornaments
' attached ; and when she went to tho
theater she wore a red bernousot Tru-
ly this coui e were left behind in the
• race of extravagance , frivolity and ec-
-centricity. Fashionable folks would
Ihave nothing to say to them ; those
- who did consider them worth cultivat
ing explained their status as "good ,
nvorthy people , " with a conipassion-
'ate-shrug or smile. t
Mr. Dobbs was "something in the
/city , " and - his big office and
* nany clerks brought in some
thing mora than a comfortable in
come. Yet he made no parade of
wealth and kept household accounts
" 'strictly. Every evening he returned
rhome punctually by the 6 o'clock train
• from Waterloo , carrying his fish bas-
&et with bun. Fish was cheaper and
Abetter in the city than at Clapham ,
* und Mrs. Dobbs was particularly fond
• of fish. The worthy Josiah would
mot have spoiled her dinner for the
• world. She must have her salmon in
PH& -season , and her red mullet and white-
J > * * • bait , all in due turn , of the best. By
W 'this you will understand that
Mr. Dobbs was devoted and
-domestic. Yet there were thorns
-amid the roses of his conjugal
tparadise. Mrs. Dobbs was now and
-again beset by spirits of unrest and
_ . . 'discontent , and her whims at inter
"vals caused dear , steady-going Josiah
much inconvenience. There were no
children at Clarence Villa ; and per
haps for this reason Mrs. Dobbs had
-more leisure for complaint. She prac
ticed the art of murmuring with as
-steady a persistence as aprimadonna
her scales. Josiah suffered her dis-
• tcontents with more than the ordinary
jpatience of an exemplary husband.
As years went on Josialiphilosophi-
cally gave up wishing for an heir ,
-seeing his Dorothy had grown
portly and middle aged. He
-uubscribed largely to the vari-
• ous charities not having a legitimate
\ . .outlet for his human kindness. A
I " jphSloprogenitive organ impelled him
\ itoward children's hospitals. Why ,
| ff -said he , should not hi3 generation
| benefit instead of they that were to
f jcome after ?
v Mrs. Dobbs did not however , view
* isuoh matters with equanimity See
ing the undue and unwelcome number
• of olive branches round about other
i people's tables , she resented nature's
I cruelty to herself. She , therefore ,
, i rfrowned persistently on Josiah's
Wphilanthropic schemes for other
jpeople's children. His benevolence
rtoward. orphans , foundlings and waifs
-and strays was a never-ceasing
• cause of argument and mortification
to her. She did not suffer any loss ,
personally , from these charitable
• deeds. Not a wish remained ungrant-
• ed , and checks were forthcoming with
• cheerful readiness when required. She
. ' .had her carriage , her servants , her
nnilliners as she listed. Josiah erected
• = a miniature Crystal Palace in his gar-
" v -den.because she wished to have bana-
Tias growing. He took her to Egypt
• one Winter , and nearly died , of sea
sickness by the way , because she had
" jbeen reading Eastern romances and
yearned for Oriental glitter. Nothing
tihat money could obtain was denied
3ier only she had no children.
fcer a long time Mrs. Dobbs had
• disnlayed no extraordinary caprice.
-Josiah was sailing aiongm wonderfully
smooth matrimonial waters. But
the lady's frequent absence of mind
and contemplative mein might have
convinced a more sophisticated man
ji - -that mischief was brewing. In truth
ZMrs. Dobbs was slowly hatehing.a
:6cheme which she felt sure would run
• counter to Josiah's wishes. This lent
an additional zest to her plan. She
-considered itaretributivescheme. She
would fight Josiah on his own ground
-with his favorite weapon of benev
olence.
"I'm going to adopt a child , Josiah.
3Sbw it's no use your contradicting
3iie , because 1 won't listen , - aia rnc
'iady one evening over dessert. She5 }
-spoke aggressivety , cracking the shell
-of a walnut with decision. She peevish
ly found fault with the fish and the
alodand had slapped her pug for no
-earthly reason. If Josiah had been
V less slow he would have opined that a
* s storm was brewing. There was silence
J5 * - 'for a minute after Mrs. Dobbs had
i opened fire.
' • - "Aren't you going to speak ? " she
i ieaid at length.
: "A child , " remarked Josiah , drop-
k -ping his fat chin into his shirt. "My
| love , that is surely a project requiring
f | : * * ? y serious consideration. "
t'
t'I
I * "
'
'
Lrn ' - 1
- ' . - ,
Tf
I
%
Mrs. Dobbs tossed her head omm
ously. Every inch of lace in her cap
seemed suddenly to have acquired
starch , while the gilt ornaments there
on scintillated fiercely.
"When I say a thing I mean it , as
you know , Jopiah. 1 have considered
that you indulge your hobbies with
out restraint. It is high time my
benevolence found something to oc
cupy it. "
Josiah drank up his wine slowly.
When he spoke again it was in a sub
dued tone.
"Dorothy , my dear , how often have
I reminded you in the past three
years that your poor sister left a
child. As I have said before , it ia
your clear duty "
"Mr. Dobbs ! " The lady roso , and
swept her black satin skirts to the
door. Here she paused to add : "I
repeat , I remember no sister. A dis
graceful marriage severed all connec
tion of birth. I beg that you will
never nlludo to that shameful matter
again. "
Perhaps the episode alluded to was
well remembred by Josiah , for het
sighed several times in his after-din-
ner solitude. He knew the mad-cap
girl he had sheltered for many years
beneath his roof was dead , but he
knew , too , that her child lived , and he
would fain have cherished it for the
mother's sake.
In the course of the evening Mrs.
Dobbs resumed the questiou of adop
tion. Josiah was a peaceable man ,
and ho loved his wife ; but this last
whim was a serious one , and would
inevitably entangle her in difficulties.
"I'm going to advertise at once , "
sho said.
Mr. Dobbs looked very blank.
"I should advise you to try some
other plan that would give less pub
licity to the matter , " he said mildly.
"That would bring any amount of
begcars and inpostors about you. "
Mrs. Dobbs looked over her crewel
work in an injured way.
"There you are again , Josiah ; always
trying to oppose me and make my
life miserable. I declare you contra-
d'ot me every morning and evening
about something. Haven't I told
you before what a lonely life I lead ?
It's all very well for you , who go away
to tho city every day to make
money. You are just like all men
you are selfish to the core. " With
this final female platitude , Mrs. Dobbs
began to whimper. Mr. Dobbs felt
guilty of heinous cruelty.
"A companion might "he began.
The lady lifted herself from the sofa
cushion and Josiah quailed.
"A companion ! " with withering
sarcasm , "to make love to you , no
doubt , Josiah. I know their schem
ing ways. Didn't I have enough of
Miss Griggs and her maneuvering
tricks , working you braces , the hussy ,
and sending you Christmas cards.
How dare you mention a person of
that sort after all my sufferings with
them ? "
Of course in the end the lady pre
vailed , and Josiah passively counte
nanced the adoption. Matters were
soon ast in order for the fulfillment of
the latest whim. Yet verily her heart
failed her during the week follow-
ingher advertisement. Herlonely con
dition had never been so apparent to
her before as when she was beset by a
crew of parents and guardians bearing
some puny or blighted fnfant for her
adoption. All sorts and condi
tions of men craved her pity for their
wretched children. She was bewildered
by the offensive bearing of bolder ap
plicants. More than once Mrs. Dobbs
had to ting in her respectable butler
to get rid of some , insistant parent
who endeavored to intimidate her in
to an immediate purchase. The re
sult of all this was a cessation of the
daily advertisement. Mr. Dobbs , of
course , was not informed minutely of
ali that went on , though an interview
with his butler one evening threw a
little light on things that had occurred.
_ _ "I wish to give a month's warning ,
sir , " said this gentleman in privacy
to his master.
"Why , now , Tinker , what is the
matter ? I'm sure you've a very com
fortable place , , with a boy to do all
your dirty work. "
Tinker coughed and stammered a
few words before coming to the point.
"Well , now , sir , to speak plain it's
along ofthat wildcrowd of vagabonds ,
as Mrs. Dobbs she's seeing of eveiy
day. Babies by the score , they're
brought by impident rascals such as I
ain't been accustomed to. One of 'em
she wouldn't eo out of the gate till I
called the police. It aint respectable
in a gentleman's house , 1 do assure
you , sir. "
Somehow or other Mr. Dobbs man
aged to sooth the outraged feelings of
his man servant , and prevailed upon
him to put up awhile longer with the
inconvenience of the situation. The
worthy Josiah was concerned for the
protection of his wife.
"How are you getting on with your
business , my love ? " inquired Mr.
Dobbs that evening.
"Oh , pretty well , " ssidthe lady
cheerfully , yet persistently avoiding
her husband's eyes. " 1 find it very
difficult to make up my mind ; and I
want a pretty little boy , not quite a
baby , with no disgraceful connections
to hang about him. No doubt I shall
Bee one to suit me in a few days. "
The 'few days passed without further
allusion to the subject , andthefollow-
ing curious advertisement appeared
in all the daily papers :
"WANTED. For immediate adoption , a
little boy between 2 and 4 years old. Must
be healthy and pretty and sound in body
and mind. The parents or relatives must
renounce all laim on him forever. He will
be comfortably provided for in the future.
Apply daily to Messrs. GriHham and Grab-
ham. Solicitors , 201 Parliament street ,
Westminster.
Alter the appearance of this adver
tisement the persecution of Clarence
Villa died away , and only now and
again a respectable man or woman ,
leading a little boy , was heard
inquiring for Mrs. Dobbs ?
residence of a local policeman. But
the lady was obdurate to all claims
made on her pity. See had hardened
her heart , to destitute cases ; and pen
niless widows or consumptive fathers
met with scant ceremony at her
hands if their offspring werS not de
sirable. After this had gone for a
fortnight or more , Mrs Dobbs one day
visited Messrs. Griffham and Grab-
ham during business hours.
"I have come about the child , Mr.
Griffham , " she said , going at once to
her point. "How is it you haver.sent
me none that are pretty or interest- .
ing ? " From theforce ofchabit , Mrs.---
Dobbs was apt to speak dictatorial-
ly to strangers.
"My dear madam , pray remember
children are not made to order. "
Mis. Dobbs winced. "I see I must
except no assistance from you , sir , "
she said loftily. No doubt my hus
band's opposition to my object has
influenced you , I will tronble you no
further in this matter. You may con *
#
'siU ifti - s ' § 'ifes i V&ii iftV
li l i iii 'i iiilfiiUlii M
rtr4M feygi * • • • 'H i , j < iyff * * > ' ' 1' " JjW * - " ' " • ' -yr pr"
' '
* " "
h - -
V
elder your quest at an end. Good
morning. "
Weary ol her undertaking , Mrs.
Dobbs had almost resolved to aban
don her whim. She chewed the cud of
bitter thoughts on her homeward way
that day. Providenco or fortune was
against her success. That evening Mr.
Dobbs came home in an unusual de
gree of hasto , and of a cheerful mien.
"Love , " said he , tripping over the
dining-room mat , "I've found a child
for you. "
Mrs. Dooba lookeed up coldly. "It's
impossible I shall like it , " said she
perversely. "No one wants to part
with a child unless there's something
the matter with it. "
Mr.Doobs beamed yet morebright
ly. He was not to be snbdued by any
wet blankets. "It's a little boy , and
he is 3 years old , fair , pretty and
most intelligent. His father is just
dead. "
"What about his mother ? " queried
Mrs. Doobs cautiously.
Josiah reddenedstammering a little.
"She ah , poor soul is dead too.
This is no beggar's brat. He is well
born , Dorothy , on one side. I can
give you every proof. "
The next day the child was brought
to Clapham and left a Clarence Villa
by a clerk from M. Dobbs' office. He
was poorly dressed , but a handsome
little lad , lively and spirited. He was
not at all shy , and addressed himself
freely to the pug and parrot. The
Jiping treble voice and shrill , childish
aughter touched the maternal chord
in Dorothy's heart. She went a little
3adly that day while her eyes followed
the child. He stroked her velvet gown
and fingered her rings while he sat up
on her knee , chatting about the things
around him.
"What is your name ? " questioned
the lady.
"Harry , " answered the boy readily.
But nothing more could be elicited
from him. He did not seem to under
stand that he could have a second
name. He was but a baby boy , scarce
ly three.
In the afternoon Mrs. Dobbs tele
graphed to her husband that he must
make arrangements for her to keep the
child a day or two. It would
not be necessary to send any one
to fetch him that evening. The
day passed quickly , with little feet
pattering beside her , exploring
the wonders of garden and green
houses. Towards 7 o'clock Mrs.
Dobbs began to look anxiously for her
spouse's return. She had quite decid
ed that she would keep the child , but
still there were questions to be asked
preliminaries to be settled. The boy
must be hers entirely. None must
ever claim him , or interfere with his
welfare. Mr. Dobbs came leisurely
up the garden at his usual hour , car
rying his fish-bag. His stolid face
changed a little when he looked
through the window and sjaw the child
on his wife's knee.
"He is a ptetty boy , Dorothy , " he
said nervously , when he came near.
"A darling little boy ; I mean to keep
him , Josiah , " she said , gently disen
gaging the chubby hands from her
chair. "Will you stay with me ,
Harry ? "
The child laughed gleefully , tossing
tack his curls.
"Stay with oo ; pity , pity flowers , "
he cried clapping his hdnas.
"Tell me all you kuow about him ,
Josiah. What is his parentage , and
will his nearest relatives surrender
all claim upon him ? "
Josiah shifted uneasily in his seat.
He had the appearauce of a man op
pressed with guilt.
"He is an orphan , " said he look
ing speculatively at his own broad
toes.
"So much the better for me , ' said
Mrs. Dobbs. But I will have no dis
tant reltaives hanging about. He
must belong exclusivelyto me. "
Mr Dobbs drew nearer to his wife.
"Dorothy , he ought to belong to
you if to anyone. "
The lady put down the child from
her knee. His large blue eyes gazed
in wonder at this sudden rejection.
"What is the boy's name ? " said
Mrs. Dobbs , breathlessly.
"Henry , " he rejoined , slowly.
"But Henry what ? " she asked , more
sharply.
"Henry Morrison. He is your sis
ter's child a friendless orphan now.
God help him if you don't.
Mrs. Dobbs fell back on the sofa
cushion , and covered her face with her
hands. The tears were falling thro ugh
them when little fingeis essayed to
move them.
"Has oo , .been naughty ? on't ky. "
Perhaps the lady was very conscious
of her own naughtiness , for she cried
still more at this appeal , drawing the
child into her embrace. There was
never any more doubt about the
adoption. Henry Morrison calls Mrs.
Dobbs mother to this day , and Josiah
is a little less generous-toward asy
lums and hospitals. There will be a
very pretty penny by and by for his
adopted son.
! 3 I'm
Public Schools in the West.
The public-school system in the
West , when once the long dormant
erm was fully matured , was a plant
3f rapid , though substantial , growth.
But little more than a quater of a
: entury has elapsed since the awaken
ing began and the true value and im
portance of the free school became
generally recognized. In nothing p ' s ?
lias there ever been a more woner -
" ui or more noble progress. The og
school-houses have vanished , to give
place to handsome , often elegant ,
frame , brick , and stone edifices. In
stead of the rudeness and discomfort
which characterized the district
school of the earlier day every nee-
sssary convenience is at hand to give
pleasure to the pupil and lend assist
ance to the teacher. The pride of
svery village is its school building and
its elficient public school , in which
svery child may receive , tree of cost ,
the best instructions that is anywhere
afforded.
It was in the West that the idea of
jraded schools was first completely
formulated and made practically suc
cessful. It was in the West that the
supertntendency of schools county
and city was first generally recogniz-
sd as essential to the success of the
3ystem. It was in the West that the
earliest and some of the ablest ex
pounders of the "new education , " in
this country , attempted the practical
application of their theories. While
pet the country was about half settled
and the public school system little
more than . a .promise , a former pupil
Df Pestaloifzi introduce ! ! the methods
af that reformer into the private
schools of the lower Wabash Valley.
Liong before a "new departure" had
leen discovered in _ the schools ol
uincy , and heralded to the world as
; he beginning of a great reformation ,
self-same methods , there so highly
julogized , were being practically dem-
anstrated in scores of cities and towns
in the West.
HER LIFE.
Bno lived anulabored midst tho lowcstthincs.
Walked at my sido and talked , and oft aid
fill
The tfrncious hours that friendly twilight
brines i
With toil , naught questioning if good or
ill
Wci-p hpra ; soft lullabies she crooned at eve.
Like poppies' breath falling down tenderly
On infant eyelids that pay sports would leave
To nestlo close and sleep upon hrr knee ,
Her life has collorless and commonplace ,
Dovoid of poetry I thought it so ,
For I was blind , and could not see the grace
That grew through common duties , now
know ,
Since she is gone from mo and all her-cares ,
Intertaincd an angel unawares.
The Wanderer 's Return.
A ThanlcsgiTlug Story.
Every Christmas , or New Tear's , or
Thanksgiving day , Mrs. Forrest
placed a chair at tho table for .their
only son and child , David , who had
left his home fifteen years before , at
the age of nineteen. Since he left , no
word from him had reached them.
The faithful heart of tho mother re
fused to think of thelad as dead , and
so she laid his plate at his old place ,
and by it placed a little bouquet of
his favorite flowers.
"You see , he may come back at anj
time , father , and he'd understand
that we've been thinking of him all
the time.
The oldmanshookhishead. "Boys
like David don't come back , Sarah.
Vice drove him away , and vice will
probably keep him away. If its any
gratification for you to keep a place
at the table for him , you know at
I don't object ; but J wish you could
make up your mind that he will nev
er come back. These yearly remind
ers only bring the old pain back , and
if I could , I should like to forget him
altogether. "
"No , you wouldn't James. Hewas
wild and disobedient , and brought
shame and sorrow over this thres
hold ; but for all that , hes our only
child , and I'm sure we can neither of
us forget lhat. "
Ii < was just fifteen years since the
young man came home one night in
a beastly state of intoxication. It
was not the first time , but it was the
first time his father had seen him in
that condition. He was a clerk in a
dry good store , and when he came
home late at night , his father sup
posed ho hod been detained by his
business , and went contentedly to |
bed. The poor wife , who sat up for
the wayward boy , knew better ; but
like many a gentle but unwise mother ,
she concealed her son's vice from his
father , hoping he might reform.
Her husband was a very stern man ,
and was unsparing in his denuncia
tions of the special vice of intemper
ance. The truth is , she was actually
afraid to tell him.
The night I have spoken of , Mr.
Forrest had a letter to write , which
kept him in the sitting room long aft
er his usual bedtime. When the slob
bering , idiotic young drunkard reel
ed into the room , his father sprung
from his chair as if he had been shot.
He looked at his son , but did not
say a word. Then he.sat deliberate
ly down in a chair and watched him ,
with , such a look on his white , set
face that his terrified wife laid her '
tremblinghandonhisarm. He shook '
it off. In a few moments he turned
to her , and said , in a hard , merciless
voice :
"How long has this been going on ,
Sarah ? "
"Oh , I don't know , James ! " she
sobbed. "I've seen him two or three
times under the influence .of liquor ,
but never so bad as this , James. I.
didn't tell you because he promised |
to reform. Oh , don't be too hard on
him , fatherl Pray , don't be too hard
upon him ! "
"Too hard ! " he repeated , looking"
with angry disgust at the young man ,
who was huddled in a heap in a large
arm chair , trying vainly to sit erect ,
with a silly drunken grin on his face.
"Too hard ! Why , if I turned him out
of the house this very night , and dis
owned him as my son , I should be
doing right ! And you have kept this
from me ? How could you , how dare
you , do it , and thusbecameresponsi-
ble for this disgrace ? I might have
checked it. Now it's too late. Look
at that idiotic face ; the stamp of the
drunkard who is past recovery is up
on it. It's too lale ! "
"Oh , don't , don't , Jaanes ! " his wife
cried , kneeling beside him. "I did it
for the best. Don't say it's too late !
He's but little more than a child yet ,
and bad company has led him
astray. "
The drunken boy laughed idiotical
ly.
ly."Don't
"Don't try and get him away , "
Mr. Forest said , sternly. "He shall
stay there all night , and I shall sit
up'with him. You heard what he
said ! " With a bitter laugh. "Our
son is not only a drunkark , but a
thief. Let him stay there ; I want to
get accustomed to the disgrace
which has come upon me.and a night
with that object before me will help
ine to realize it. Do you go to bed.
I must take his management out of
your weak hands. "
"You won't drive him away ,
James ? You'll give him a chance ?
You'll give him one opportunity to
try to reform ? Don't turn him out
into the wicked world , to be lost for
ever ! * ' she pleaded , with sobs. Her
husband did not immediately answer
her but at last he said :
" 1 will.not drive him away yet.
He shall have one chance more a
single one. I'll make him understand
that , when he can understand any
thing. Now leave me with him. "
The poor mother crept weeping to
lieflSed. She lefbtho door partly open
between tho rooms , that she might
watch both husband and son. Mr.
Forrest .sat rigitland motionless , as
if lip was called in\stonelUtthe bpy {
slept on heavily. Towards morning
ho began to move uneasily in his
seat , then raised his head from tho
tabic and straightened himself up.
Tho mother , whose eyes had not
closed through the whole of that
long night , could almost see tho ter
rified expression in his eyes when
they fell on his father's grim figure
opposite. He rose unsteadily to
his fecb.
- - \ { I . . - " - - \ \ ' -
"Stopj sirl" said the father , walk
ing to mm. "I have a few words to
say to you. "
What was said was in too low
a voice for Mrs. Forrest to
hear. There were a few brief
questions , and when David
answered one of them , ho hung his
head like aconvictedcriminal. Then
sho heard her husband's stern voice
for a few minutes longer , and David
half staggered to the back door ,
opened it and passed out.
Mrs. Forrest did not dare ask her
husband any questions , but did not
feel unpasy "when"David did notap-
at breakfast. She concluded he
Eear gone to tho store , not wishing to
meet his father so soon again. But
when dinner-time cameand he was
still absent , her fears were awakened ,
and she noticed her husband cast un
easy glances towards the door when
ever it was opened. She put on her
bonnet after dinner , and went direct
ly to the store. Mr. Rapp was stand
ing at the door.
"Good-evening , Mrs. Forrest ! " he
said. "Where on earth is David to
day ? "
"Isn't he in tho store ? " she asked ,
with her heart beating liko a sledge
hammer.
"Indeed , ho isn't. Ho came in for a
minute early this morning , and hand
ed me a ten-dollar bill , and mumbled
out something about having forgot
ten to put it in the till. I couldn't
make out who t he did say. He looked
pale and sick , and Im sure ought to
have been in bed. "
Without a word Mrs. Forrest hur
ried homo.
"What did you say to him ? " she
cried , passionately , to her husband.
"You've been harsh and cruel to
him , I know , and now he ' s gone
aw ay , and I shall never , never see
my boy again ! "
"I told him what I said I would , "
he answered coldly. "One more
chance I gave him for amendment.
Yes , I told him he was a disgrace , a
clinging disgrace , for I didn't believe
ho would reform. I gave him some
money to replace what he stole , and
that was all. I don't regret a word
I said. Reproach your own weakness.
It isn 't just to reproach me. Since
ho has chosen to leave us , it is per
haps the best thing he could do. " '
But though Mr. Forrest spoke in
this manner , he spared neither money
nor labor to gain some tidings of his
son. They traced him to a seaport
town , and then lost all trace as utter
ly as ii the earth had closed over him.
As months and years rolled by , Mr. I
Forrest gave up expectation of ever
seeing him again , but the mother
hoped still. The father grew more
silent and sad. Time as it passed
had taught him that he had erred in
the harshness and bitterness with
which he had treated his son , and
he would have liked to retract
some of his words. Misfortunes , too ,
had pressed upon him. His crops
had failed three years in succession ,
he had mortgaged his farm in order
that he might ; live : and in a few years i
there was to be a foreclosure of the i
mortgage , and the old place must
pass out of lr s hands.
"It's no use striving any longer ,
Sarah , " he said , drearily : "I do not
know where to look for help , wo must
submit and leave the old homestead.
Father was born here , as well as my- i
self , and I hoped to die in the houso I
which he died. We'll barely have a
roof over us at Myron Cottage , but
at least , it Avill be our own. We
didn't think much of it when your
aunt left it to you , and now it is our
last refuge. "
"It will outlast our time , James , "
she said , sadly. "There's no one to
come after us unless David comes
home. "
Mr. Forrest shook his head. He
had long ceased to combat what he
said was his wife's monomania about
the return of his son. She always
insisted that in the family devotion
he should be prayed for as still living ,
and with a cruel pang the father ut
tered the name of the boy he be
lieved dead.
"It will be our last Thanksgiving
dinner on the old place , " he said , the
day before Thanksgiving. "A lonely
one indeed. I wonder if in all the
world there is a couple as lonely and
as desolate as Ave are. "
She did not speak , but slipped her
hand in his. He pressed it warmly ,
the faithful hand which had never
wearied in its tender care of him , and
there the old couple sat , silent and
thoughtful. They did not need to
sp ° ak. Each knew of what the other
was thinking. The mother said in
her heart , "Dear Lord , bring our boy
back to us. " The father thought ,
"Lord , help us to bear patiently the
afflictions that are bringing ourgray
hairs with sorrow to the grave. "
Thanksgiving Day dawned. It
was a dismal day. The rain poured ,
the wind blew , the sodden leaves cov
ered the earth , the whole landscape
was dreary.
"It's pretty dismal , isn't it , moth
er ? said the old man. It's a good
thing we don't expect guests in this
storm. Well , I suppose we ought to
be thankful for a shelter this weath
er , and food enongh to keep us from
starving. "
"Is that all we have , father ? " asked
his patient wife. "We have health
and hope "
"Hope of what ? " he asked , smiling
sadly. "I think , my dear , you and
I shook hands with hope long ago
and bid it farewell. "
"Hope of a home where all these
longings and heartaches will be over.
0 , James , what can keep that from
us ? "
"You are right. " he said solemnly ,
and I needed the reproof. We will
make this a kind ofsacramentulday ,
and wrestle with our griefs , as Jo
seph did with the angel , until they
bless us. Why , there is a traveler
out in all this Vain ! He looks as if he
didn't know which way to go. "
"Call him in , James , " said his wife.
I'm jrlad the LordLhas sent some one
to eat ouiv { Thanksgiving dinnerrjvith
us.r * . -
The traveler obeyed tho call of the
old man , and dashed into the yard.
"Stranger , this is a heavy storm ;
come in and stop until the rain holds
up. " Mr. Forrest called out. "Pub
up your horso in the stable there.
We have no servants , and I can't
venture into tho rain to help you. "
In a few minutes the traveler stood
at the threshold. A tall , well-huil *
i
- v \rrr 1 SSy. - • .j. A
rf-j , rf.i ' . . , V i < l -lt. i il < iiiili < M > 'ii'iii'iW-Vit- ' * .V .
* • *
I m
\ man , with a heavy brown beard und
moustache which nearly covered his
fnce.
"Come in , como in , " Mr. Forrest
said. "Whv , you are ns wet as a
rat. "
"Only my over coat , " ho answered ,
in a hoarso voice. "With your per
mission , I'll stop a minute in the hall
and take it off. "
j He was a long time getting off his
coat , and when he camo in Mrs. For-
• rest was placing an ample meal on
the table. Tho stranger walked to
tho windowand looked.out.
i "You have a pretty place here , " ho
said. "At loa8tit must bo an attrac
tive place in good weather. "
"Yes , " answered the old nan , with
a sigh , "we are fond of tho old houso
and its surroundings. "
| "Do you live alone here ? "
' "As you see , " ho answeredshortly.
He thought the stranger too inquisi
tive. "But dinner is ready. Take a
seat. "
I The traveler noticed that at one
plane there was a handsome china
plate , and in a erlass near it a bou
quet of white crysanthemums
and red geraniums. Naturally sup
posing it was a seat of honor appro
priated to guests , he moved towards
it. "Not there , sir ! " sho cried.
"Please take this seat. "
"Excuse , me , madam , as ho took
the indicated place. "I'm afraid
you will bo disappointed in
the guest you expect , the storm
is so severe. But he ought to
have tried to come ! There should be
no vacant place at a Thanksgiving
dinner. "
"It is always vacant , sir , " Mr. For
rest said. "It's a notion of my wife's
to keep it for our boy , who left us
fifteen years ago. You see , she has
always kept his plato on the yearly
returns of these days , and puts a
bouquet of his favorite flowers near
ib It seems to do her good to think
he will come back some day. "
j "He will como back to it , " she said ,
quietly. "I've always felt sure that
my boy would sit there face to face
with me some day. "
The stranger's face worked convul
sively. He suddenly moved toward
the seat and held out his
arms to her. "Mother ! moth
er ! " he cried , with tears
filling his eyes. "Don't you know
me ? Father , mother , I've come back
to you ! "
She fell in his arms with a glad cry ,
But the father made one step forward
and fell unconscious on the floor. It
was so unexpected , so almost impos
sible , that the shock overcame him.
But joy seldom kills , and he was
soon restored to consciousness , and
learned with a feeling of rapture ,
such as for many years he had not •
experienced , that his son had come
back a reformed man.
"I did not mean to run away when
Heft tho house , " David said. "It
was only when paying the
money to Mr. Rapp that I
realized the depth of my degrada
tion , and I felt as if I could never
look either of you in the face again.
I shipped as a sailor in a vessel
bound to Brazil , and when it reached
there I left it. and found work up the
country. I did not write , for I
thought you'd rather think of me as
dead. My business prospered , and
then after I had accumulated some
property , I began to long for home ,
and for mother and for you. And so
I have come to see if you still care
enough for me to take me back. "
It was a Thanksgiving supper they
had that night , for the interrupted
dinner had been entirely forgotten.
Do.you think that three happier
people could have been found in the
world on that Thanksgiving Day ?
The Chinese Thanksgiving.
The most popular Chinese holidays ,
aside from their New Year , is their
"Poh Yueh Shiwo , " or the fifteenth
day of the eighth moon , which comes
off this year on the twentieth of
September.
It is the famous "Moon-Cake Day , " t
or the Harvest Moon Thanksgiving
day of the Chinese all over the world.
The principle feast upon this occa
sion is the famous Moon-Cake , or
"Yueh Bian , " made in the shape of a
London pork pie. The interior of
these cakes is composed of five differ
ent species of nuts , such as walnuts ,
chestnuts , almonds , etc. , well roasted. ;
The whole are then mixed in a can
died substance calculated to make it
durable for years after it is taken
out of the oven. I
One of these cakes will weigh nearly |
a pound , and is sold here at twenty I
to twenty-five cents per pound. The
contents of these cakes are said' '
to represent all the virtue of a pro
ductive earth ; in other words they
contain all that which is good out of
the soil for the entire yeaiThe man
that partakes of such a cake has ,
therefore , many causes to return
thanks to the god of heaven , or
"Shin , " and to "Givan Goon De
Shin , " or god of earth.
And they do render thanks with a
vengeance , as far as outward de
monstration is concerned , in the
several temples here in New York
upon their glorious "Poh Yueh
Sliiwos. "
From as early as nine o'clock in
the morning to late in the night ,
upon that memorable occasion . .
Democratic Chinese as well as Repub
lican heathens and halfcivilized Chris
tians will wend their way quietly
toward the various shrines of the jos
ses in this city to burn their incenses ,
and offer their roasted pigs and
chickens and countless yards of elo
quently written prayers of thanks ,
which the devotees , on account of \
other business elsewhere , burn before
their gods to save time.
After tins , they will feast upon the .
sacrificiaf meats.and thenretireupon
the sidewalk , if the weather permit , i
to gaze attentively at her celestial
majesty , "The ' Moon , " in whose
honorthe least andcake 'are named. '
It is supposed that on that memo- '
rable night , or the next morning ]
there will be at least 400,000,000 ]
Chinamen trying to see if they can
behold the familiar figure of the Em
peror Zoon Wong upon the moon. ,
This emperor is said to have sudj j
denly got mad at his subjects some i
thousands of years ago , and fleu to J
the moon , where he has ever since \
ruled that little empire. • t
i
- •
'
1 i
I
'
* ;
* if
Current Fun.
"John , " said his wife ( thoy were irJ
a sleeping-car berth ) , for goodness1
sake , wake up ! " "Wha-what's the
matter ? " You aro snoring so , peo
ple will think we'ro off the track.
Time , 3 a. m. Mrs. Smith is attired | |
in deepe3t black. Mr. Smith ( entering )
What do I s-seo ? Inm-mourning ? ;
For whom for which for who ? , i
Mrs. Smith I am in mourning for tho I
late Mr. Smith !
Patient Doctor , I can't sleep at , u.
night. Itumblo and toss until morn- ,
ing. Doctor Hm , that's bad. Let [
me see your tongue. ( Afterdiagnosis ) : . j
Physically you aro all right. Perhaps if
you worry over that bill you ve owed j
me for the last two years Tid-bits (
"Why do they call this place Shark
Mountain ? " asked Laura , after they j
had been in the New summer resort
about two weeks ; "there are no
sharks in the mountains. " "No , "
said Vincent , "but there are hotels j
there.
The latest "victim of tobacco" is a
sad case indeed. Ho is 70 years old , •
has smoked for sixty years , and re
cently he married a woman four years ,
his senior. Tobacco smoking affected
his brain.
When you reflect that at picnics 100
years ago it was the custom for the
girls to stand up in a row and lot the '
men kiss them all good-by , all tho
enthusiasm about national progress
seems to bo a grave mistake. Scran-
ton Truth. *
Mr. Somborn "I'm very glad you j
concluded to como again this season , '
Miss Elson. " Miss Elson "Is there '
any special reason for your joy after
your experience of last year ? " Mr.
Somboin "Yes. I've joined an ama
teur dramatic society , and I want
you to help me rehearse that refusal
scene oi ours again. I'm going to play ' ,
crushed lover. " Judge. <
Young Mr. FreshIyto ( his tutor ) : V
"Will you tell me something of the ) <
reign of terror ? You know all about I ,
it , I believe. " Absent minded Pro- l ,
fessor : "Reign of terror ? Know all >
about it ? I should say I did. Six { ;
children at my house oldest nine
youngest three and all doivn with
the whooping-cough , " Judae. t
"My little boy is wonderfully po- •
lite , " said a doting mother , the other ! >
day. And yet it is recorded of the
very polite little boy that he left a
lady caller standing iu the hall of his j
mother's home one day , while he went 11
the rounds of the house and grounds
yelling at the top of his voice :
' • 'Mother , mother , where bo you ? . (
Where be you , I say ? The new minis
ter's wife is here , and I forget to tell J ; ,
her you wasn't home. " Kingston , [
N. Y. Freeman. | l
"Clara , are you going with me to j
the Y. P. S. C. E. this evening ? " "No , | :
Katy , I. D.T. I. S. " "What ? " "Idon't
think I shall. " "Why not ? " "Oh , ' „
Charlie wants me to cototheYr . M. i |
C. A. sociable with him. and then he J
is going with me to the W. C. T. U. • !
lectures. " "Oh , pooh ! I think you , }
are J. A. M. A. Y. C. 'B. " "What ? "
'
"Just as mean as you can be. "
Springfield Union. '
They were at the first gate in the j
moonlight and he asked her to be his ' .
wife. With outstretched arms and a 'j
throbbing heart he awaited her ans- <
wer. "George , " she said , in a ner- '
vous whisper , "you must give me
time you must give me time. " ' •
"How long ? " he hoarsely asked , "a
day , a week , a month , a year ? " "No j
no , George , " and she quickly scan- I
ned the sky , "only until the moon \
gets behind a cloud. " The Epoch. j
Small boy ( to lady visitor ) : "Do
you live in a glass house ? " Lady : "Of * $ '
course not. I live in a brick house- |
Why do you ask such a funny ques- ' < ]
tlon ? " Small boy : "Ypu know when 'Ij
you was here last week , and said Mrs. 4\ \
Blank wasn't any better than she j
ouchtto be ? " Lady ( wonderingly ) : 'j !
"Yes. " Small boy : "Well , after you ij
went away , mamma was talking H
about it , and said sometning about > {
people living in glass houses throwing j
rocks , and I thought it was mighty lii
funny if you lived in a glass house , . J
'cause I never saw one in Washing- I * i
ton. " Washington Critic. } >
"Success in life may depend some- ji , ' :
what on circumstances , but it depends k !
more on the individual , " said Mr. , |
Skute , who is noted for his wealthand ill
penurious habits. "That's so. " said } ( •
Billson , one of the millionaire ' s audi'V
ence. "When I first came to this ' i
town , I had fitty cents. Now what ' . ? {
do you suppose ! did with it ? " "Oh
that's an easy one , " said Billson. ' '
"Anybody that knows yoH , Skute , j
would know what you did with that I
fifty cents. " "Well , what did I do i ?
with it ? " "Why you've got it yet. " \
Merchant Traveller. - * '
Masculine Vanities. \
From the New York Mo-il. | |
A coat should now be left unbutton
ed , so as to show the vest.
Three and four button cutaways
are proper for morning and half dress.
The clumsier a made-up scarf is now : tf
tied the better , as long as the effect is | |
Driginal and artistic. | ]
A four button cutaway of black diag- ' \ t
anal has been introduced with favor j k
by grooms at recent day weddings. | ! |
A new white waistcoat is made tor . , ' i $
wear without laundering or starching. * * j t * .
It is sponged tailor fashion when soil- ! • : %
: d. 3
Poole's new spring overcoat hangs j ' jr
straight and full in the back like a ] ' . * i
) ox coat , and showing no wai3t line | %
loes not appear to fit. * j y
A new scarf is made in the form of a \ • \i \
nutton chop. Laid across the strioes jj f
if a red crossbar gridiron shirt it has | ] |
in appetizing appearance beyond de- , | 1
jcription. j- jt
Suspenders are to "be found to j U
natch the color of every fancy , shirt . P
( old. A swell wardrobe cannot be " ! |
vithout six to a dozen pairs of these j' I
lseful articles in various degrees of } ' 3
legance. Jfca
A dressy looking summer costume |
hat is growing in favor is modeup of .JL ; a |
: oat and trousers of fluffy dead black ' \H
naterial , light in texlure , and worn < * jf
rith a white waistcoat. The wearer ' t :
ilways looks cool. : v
\i 1
The grand iury Tor Middlesex county. ml ' |
ItiBB. , in its report found no bills against \l j j ?
Irs. Abbie rf. Corner , the Christian Scien- ia 4 Ij
1st of West Medford , charged with man- ] J K
laughter in causing thecleath of hcrdauah- ' | H
er by neglecting to provide proper medi- i l II
al assistance at time of her confinement. / J | il
s I |
