The Wayward Son

He was only a boy! But he loved to store h mind witb tho wíld, lurid tales that come in books wlth yellcw covers on them. And he read of Vhat those books tohl about other Iw.vs of lus tender aso, ivho had went avay out hito the western wilds, and of the brave deeds they had done wtiile tberet And he longed to become great as those boys had- on paper-and he Bigbed for an opportunity to go and mnke his name legión, as hey had done. And so at the huur hour when all wafl dark and silcnt in hts home, likc a thief in the night, he BÍiently stolo away. out into the cold, heartlcss world. Without even a farewell to those who loved him, and hia lisappearance was so covcred np tliat whether he is dead or alive, on land or on sea, none but the Supremo Ruler knows. Xdw when this saddenod houeohold gather around the table there is B vacant eliair, and when the brokcn hearted ones look upon thflt chair, a lump eeeras to rise in tlK-ir throat, and tears come to their yes as they wonder where their poor, mi8guided boy may be. IitUe tliis wayward youth thought of the mlsery and heartachee hls wild notions would canee, i ï t he thought when in lelt a good home, and parent who loved him, and were ever ready to grant liis evi i'' wish, how cold and heartleea he would find the world. And ]ierliaps now he Ie wanderlng over the land, cold, heartsk'k and weary, with the great, broed unlverse for his (asile, dependíng on the charlties of thE people tot liis daily bread, while ever and aium his broken hearfced mother cries out In her anguish for (loil i n bis mercy, to give her back her poor mtsgulded boy. By the time is);s. and the great Columbian World'e fair at Chicago, Bhall have arrived, the Michigan ('ential i:. K. will have the most attractiv' doublé track route between Chicago and th" east.