The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1867-12-25

The refreshments by his side remained
untouched, and the merchant sat with
hands folded wearily, and his eyes fixed
absently on the fire. so still, SO Tranquil,
that one might have thought him asleep.
And as he sat there, through the storm,
and through the closed and curtained
windows of the room, came the sweet
tones of the midnight chimes Of Trinity.
The music of the bells filled all the air,
rising and falling with the wind. 1t was
a sad and solemn tale they old: for they
sang that the Christ child was born.
"Gideon Grindem |" .-....
The voice was so soft, and yet so dis.
tinct and sweet, that it thrilled the mer-
chant to his inmost soul. "Gideon
Grindem," the voice said, Care you glad
that Christmas has come again p .t.,s
. The voice came from the fire, and the
merchant glanced down at the hearth.
There, standing just below him, was
strange, but beautiful figure. 1t seem.
ed like an angel, for its face was radiant
with purity and beauty, and its garments
were of spotless white. II was scarcely
foot high, and its eyes were so small
that they seemed like diamond points =
Yet they looked straight into the mer-
chants soul, end read all that was pass
ing there, and the proud man knew it,
and shuddered. ....:.
"Gideon Grindem," said the yoics
again, fare you glad that Christmas has
come p r
This time the tone was so reproachful
that the tears started to Gideon Grind
ems eyes, and he bowed his his head
and replied
"Alas OF all the world have moth
ing to rejoice for tonight"
"Listen to me-" said the little figure,
softly. 81 am Conscience, and I have
come to speak with you. We have been
strangers for long time, but I have
come back to you again. You must hear
me tonight, for you cannot drive me
away until morning; and o, if you are
wise, Gideon Grindem, do not drive me
away then !" ..........
The merchant sat silent and trembling.
He knew that he was powerIess, and he
could not take his eyes from the little fig
ure on the hearth. But it was little no
longer, FOR it grew In size every moment,
until it assumed gigantic form, and a
mein so stern and terrible that the mer-
chant almost shrieked with terror as he
gazed it. Yet he could not turn bis
eyes away, One thing only remained
unchanged the voice of the figure was
as sweet and solemn as ever. The mer-
chant felt that he would give all his
wealth to escape. from its presence, but
he could not move limb.
"What do you want with me ?" he
gasped
81 will show you," said the figure, sol.
EMMY. "Come with me"
The merchant felt a strong hand grasp
him by the shoulder, and the next mo-
ment he vas borne through space with
a speed so rapid that it deprived him Of
the ability to cry out. Suddenly ther,
was pause, and he opened his eyes. HI
stared in astonishmeut at the scene be-
fore him, 7' .'.
1t was little, p,sinlv furnished room
Everything betokened conteptment tho
at the same time an absence of riches :.
A bright FIRE burned in the open crate
and the soft light of pleasant lamn liz
up the room. A woman. neither old nor
young, sat by the FIRE, and ut her feet
knelt child with his little hands folded
in prayer. There was a look of quiet
happiness in the pale face of the woman
and her soft eyes were bent tcnderly up
on the child at her feet, as he whispered
his prayer SO low that only she and the
angels heard it. The merchant gazed n,
the scene in utter bewiderment. Their
his eyes grew misty, and great sob swell
ed up from his heart. He had recognized
the two-the boy was himself and the
woman was his mother H'a'.| '7f ~.
"Do you ever pray now, Gideon Grin
dem ?" asked the voice of the figure
and the merchant knew that Conscience
was still with him.
"proyw hn 0hriotnd "p.ay o M,
God !"
The woman turned to him slowly, anc
he stretehed out his hands imploringly'
80 mother, mother y he sobbed, "Le
me be your innocent boy again !. v.as Z!
But the sweet face clouded with a looI
Of mingled sternness and horror. and th'
hand that had rested so tenderly upon
the boys head was raised with a reeel
liant gesture, The merchant sank back
with a .groan, and the vision faded.
| &c IN ls n tprrihle thinp Gi6non Grim