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.
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