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


ror and dismay. Never had he seen
such look of despair as that dead mans
face wore. So still, SO terrible was it,
that it seemed to be something supernau-
raj. The merchant shrank back with a
groan [; for the face upon which he looked
was his own. '- '" W
"Is this to be the end :" he moaned.
"This will be- the end" said the figure
solemnly "To die alone, neglected and
unloved, and without hope hereafter
God help you, unhappy man p
The figure slowly faded away, and
Gideon Grindem looked mp with a start
He was sitting in his library, with the
untasted refreshments on the stand by his
side, and the embers cold and lifeless in
the crate before him. The gas was burn.
ing in the chandelier with siekly glare,
and through the curtained windows
streamed the broad, full light of the
Christmas sun. The merchant rubbed
his eyes and stared around vacantly.-
Then his gaze rested on the portrait of
his dead wife, over the mantle piece
The golden sunshine fell lovingly upon
her face, and the eyes Of the woman who
had been SO dear to him, seemed full of
sweetness and tenderness as they sh one
down on him; carrying light straight into
his heart that had been so dark. Invol.
unfairly he placed his hand on his heart,
and remembered how he had seen it,
then great sob burst from him apd be
cried
30, God be thanked it was but a
dream" .
Another look into the dear eyes of the
woman who had loved him, and he sank
down on his knees and bowed his head
lowly and reverently. Gideon .Grindem
was praying.
1t was still early morning when the
handsome carriage of the merchant drove
by the Park on its way to East River
The old apple woman rejoicing in the
sunlight that had followed the storm,
was spreading her wares on her table,
when she was startled to sec the hand
some equipage pause before her stand,
and to hear the same voice shat had re.
pulsed her SO rudely the night before, call
to her to approach. She did so trem.
bling, and when the merchant bade her
cheerily, to hold out her hand, she obey.
ed because she feared to refuse. But her
surprise was redoubled when she saw ly-
ing in her withered palm bright golden
eagle which sparkled jOyously in the Christ
mas sunlight
"What is this for" she taltered.
"To keep Christmas with, old lady,"
said the merchant, choerily. He signed
to the driver to move on, but as the car
riage set off again, be caught faint
"God bless you, sirw in the fearful tones
of the old woman. .. .
Down through the vile streets, reek.
ing with filth and crime, and misery, that
mark the worst quarter Of the great city,
the splendid cquipage passed amid the
wondering glances and remarks of the
denizens who marveled to see it in such
a place. 1t paused before miserable
dwelling, and the merchant sprang out
with flushed, excited face, and hurried
up the rickety stairs fearing that one part
Of his dream might be true, after ail.-
Ho pushed open door and entered
miserable room. A glance satisfied hin
that the blessed day Had brought no 10,
to the inmates Of this sad abode. A wo
man, pale and careworn, sat by an empt
crate with look Of hopeessness on he
sweet, young face, while a man, wan ant
sickly, lay on the bed with closed eyes
and two children rested on rude pallet
still happy in their innocent slambers.
Startled by the noise, the woman look
ed up. Gideon Grindem's eyes clouded
and he held out his arms and faltered:
"My daughter, forgive me i
With glad cry she sprang into hi
arms, and the pcnitent father felt that h
was forgiven. ...."..
In half an hour, the carriage returre,
to tho mansion on Twenty.Fifth street
but this time it wac fuIl Of happy hearts
J who left the scene of thniS ,A,isery neye
to return asa ain. .''
Tho princely mansion had never seem
ed so gay before as on this blessed Christ
mas when it rang with the merry shout
of the children, and echoed the sof
laughter of the elder ones and as Gieeo,
Grindom listened he lifted up his hear
and blessed God for the dream he ha
sent him to bring back 50 much happi.
ness =,