ather was
seldom heard to mention his name, but his friends observed that his hair
fast grew white, and upon his brow rested an expression of constant
grief and anxiety. He was a man that seldom spoke of his own troubles to
any one; but it was plain to be seen that his erring boy was never
absent from his thoughts, and there was a feeling and pathos in his
voice when he addressed his congregation, especially the younger portion
of it, which had never been noticed before. It was his custom upon the
first Sabbath evening in each month to deliver an address to the youth
of his flock, and it was noticed that his appeals had never been so
earnest before, as after the departure of his son; but he seldom, if
ever, mentioned his name, not even to his grief-stricken wife. Our
pastor was not what could properly be styled an old man, but it was
thought that his grief, like a canker-worm, sapped at the fountains of
life; his bodily health became impaired, his vigor of mind departed,
and, ere he had seen sixty years, death removed him from earth, to a
home of happiness in Heaven. The widow was now bereft of both husband
and child. She was comforted concerning her departed husband, knowing
that it was well with him; but she sorrowed continually for her absent
boy; and often, during the lonely hours of night, as the moaning of the
winds fell upon her ear, she would start from her sleepless pillow and
utter a prayer for her poor boy who might even then be tossing on the
restless ocean, or perhaps wrecked upon a dangerous coast. She was a
woman of good education, and much power of thought, and she at length
found a partial relief from her sorrow by writing small works for
publication. But how is it all this time with the wandering 'Prodigal?'
Nine years have passed away since he left his home, when an agent for
the sale of books for a large publishing house was spending a few days
in one of the large cities of the West. During his stay in the place,
his business as agent often led him into public places; and on several
occasions he noticed a young man that attracted his attention. There was
nothing prepossessing in his appearance; on the contrary, he bore the
marks of dissipation in his countenance; his clothing was old and
soiled, and once or twice he saw him when partially intoxicated. The
agent was a middle-aged man, and was a close observer of those with whom
he came in contact, and somehow or other he felt a strange interest in
this