Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-01-26

shaggy head upon her arm. Thus had
she mani an hour sat long years ago,
with her darling Arthur BY her side con.
ming his lesson, while the enthusiast and
abstracted chemist toiled within his
room. He fell his heartstrings rending
with the load within; but still he feared
Tor the heartstrings OF The new found
mother. all unconscious by his side.
"Mr. Morton said Mrs. Pauer TO
the lady. "a kind gentleman from New
York. who. taking a morning ride up
here. brough. Peter home to Christmas
time"
"Christnas! Yes-oh! yes-a mer.
~ Christians 10 be sure-for mel" said
Mrs. Morris. chiIdishly, still pa.ting
fondly on the dogs shaggy head.
'ls she always thus!" asked The mer-
chant Of his hostess, trying TO be careless
OF bis tone, bu, trembling a, every word
he spoke.
mo, only when she sees the dog and
talks of Arlhur--her boy who was bad,
and had to be sen, away to school, as
I've heard tell. Atolner times her mind
is as bright as yours. Blu. she has seen
world Of trouble. Moyed out west.
Her husband died. A curious man he
was, to be sure. as Pye heard people
hereabouts say. Used to be chymist
nr some such curious man. He died out
West, and then the old lady came back
here again. She ain's much trouble,
though She leaves the house to hus.
band when. she dies"
"Take this for Christmas-you' re a
good kind soul, said the strange guest,
throwing in her lap well filled purse,
then gesturing away the hand which
seemed - offer it back again.
keep it mother --ain', he richl"
whispered Peter in her ear, and thinking
Of the big brown house, and of the
horses at the gate.
And then the stranger took out his
pocket book, looked toward the boy,
whose mouth all full of Christmas words
ready TO jump out. dlated at the sight.
But the merchant took ou, from one cor
ner, and travel-stained ribbon. This he
laid upon the lap Of the old lady, and
waited for her sight to fall upon it.
"A Christmas gift. perhaps, Mrs. Nor
ris." said the hostess, half in Joke,
and wishing for her husband to come in
and see The fun before the curious siran
ger went.
She took i. in her fingers, and held i.
tow ards the light. Then she turned to
ward the guest with an exceeding quick
movemement for one so aged as she was.
and asked: "Where did you get i'll
speak. Ii was my boy's-the only
thing he took away to mind hlm of his
home!" and the trembling hands raised
i, to she trembling lips, which kissed it
ovel and over again hundred times.
There was a strange interest begin.
ming TO attach itself 10 the new comer--
.ha, was clear to even Mrs. Pailsr, who
was usually an easy thinker.
IL GO, it from friend. He lives with
me. Do you know it!" asked the s,ran-
ger, tears rolling all unchecked down his
cheeks as he looked and spoke.
"Where is he!-is he now alive! 1t
must be. Take me TO him--Arthur, my
own boy!" said the old lady. with an
energy quite marvel in her hos.e IS $
eyes.
Prudence all forget-pride conquered
now--.he past living portion Of the
presen. to-day--hear. full Of strange
conflicting joys this morning: and down
upon his knees he fell, taking her with.
cred hand in his own; and crying:
Observation-Disclosures he is! The
wanderer is home once morc!"
One clasping of her feeble arms--one
feeble kiss--one feeble groan; and then
she fell back in her chair, while ALL
even the woodman father from the door
--came round to help her, and raise the
senseless body to bed.
III.
Christmas eve on Murray Hill, and in
Murray Hill mansions. Moonligh, look.
ing down upon well packed snow and
hurry ing sleighs. Broadway full OF busy
crowds, and all the streets one blaze Of
light. that was shed upon goods and mer-
chandise of every kind on earth.
Christmas eve in the mansion Of Nor
ris Morton, Esq.,-and the kitchen full
Of household servants, wondering where
the MASTER was.
"Groaning last night upon the sofa. !"
cried the hn,ler from the stove.
"Walking his floor an hour full, last
night" said the valet.
"Up at day light carrying off my boy,
who xas shoveling the snow,' added the
housemaid. n
jerking my reins as he did SO, and
answering never word as he drove
off," joined in the coachman.
mad with last nights party" follow.
ed the cook in chorus, aud who was al
ready sensibly mad herself, with the dou-
bic exer.ion it had imposed upon her.
A ring at the door startles all. "Tbere
is Mr.. Morton now" said one, while
the butler condescendingly went up TO
le, him in.
Not Mr.. Morton. but the shovelling
boy! Wi,hou, his dog, too! and panung
with haste and evident news. IL bring
l. .osa ...A n. m. r,.,.v sh Cd