The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1867-01-04

led him in-up the long hotel stairs,
across hall and corridor-until at length
she opened a door and said, cheerily,
"Mamma, here's grandpapa."
His head swan. He was fain to SIT
down. and there were his own Amy's
arms about his neck. Why had he nev-
er known what he lost in losing the sweet
ness of her love. through all these vanish
ing years lie held her fast. now, and
he heard her voice close TO his car:
Father, are we reconciled at last -
Il don't know, daughter. until you've
told me whether you've forgiven me.
There should be no talk about for
giveness,' she said. "You went according
to your own Lights. 1t is enough that God
has brought us together again in peace.
| thought no one could resist my little
Amy. least of all, her grandpapa.
He looked up, and the child stood by,
silently the tirelight glittering in her gol-
den hair, her face shining strangely sweet.
He put out his arms and drew her into
them, close-where no child. not even
his own. had ever nestled before. . how
much he had missed in life. he thought.
He felt her clinging hold around his neck,
her kisses dropped upon his face like the
pitving dew from heaven, and he-w;lS II
himself. or another soul in his place!
Here. father" Amy's voice had a
cheerful ring TO it, and her happy married
life had made of hcr Il fine. contenied.
matronlv appearing woman, ''llere are
Harry and the boys waiting 10 speak 10
YOU
I He shook his snn-in-law's hand hearth
, w. Old tcuds. old things. were over now,
and all WAS become new. Then he look
ed at the bovs-Six-vear>-old Hal, three
vears-old Georgie-brave. merry little tel-
lows. of whom he should he proud. some
day only they could never be TO him
quite like this girl in his arm>-hi> first
found @randchild
: He >at there among them, surrounded
/ bv the peace and warmth of their house
hold love. and felt aS if Il new life had
come. He did not - away until long
after, hv the rules of anv well ordered
nursery. those three pairs of bright little
ewes should have been closed in sleep but
they must all sit up and see the last q
er.lndpapa. When. at length. he went
he told them that they must all CONF
home to him on the morrow here mus
he no more ~tayin~ at hotels. when hi> bic
lonesome house wa> waiting for them.
"Tu-morrow is Christmas, his dau-h-
ter said. half douhliullv-
.All the better Ii Christmas wa
never kept in my house il ought 10 he
Come round TO dinncr-thrcc O'Clock
-llarp-and hrimg all tlrc boxes with you.
That will give you time 10 pack up. ans
Mrs O>goud time 10 "ct Your rooms rc.
ly-
Boxes and hov>-won't they he to-
much for vou. father =
when they are I'll tell you, with
last touch of the. old grutinc>S-
Then he went out on the street. an'
began looking for Christmas yiiIS. IL WA
new business for him. but he went into /
anxiolISlv and earnestly. Ii was ~ late
and every one seemed :" busy. he though
ii would never do Ia trust 10 the shop
men .or sending things home - hc per
ambulatcd the streets like 4 bcwildcrc'
Santa CIaui>-amd went home al last. la
den with books, and toys. and Jewels. an
bon-bon>-with doll that could wall
and Il parrot that could talk, and no en-,
of sweets and conitction>
lie called Mrs. O>good 10 help him pu
them AWAY. and when they We're all di>
posed of he said. with curious attemp
1T maintaining his Old Stcrnnc>> and dir
r nitv. which caused tine good woman Il se
crct smile.
+ "Mr> O>gooI, | hope Won will do Your
self and me credit tomorrow. My dau"i
ter. Mrs Chnrch, Is coming home wit
her husband and children, and want III
!; best Christmas dinner YOU can gel Gp. L
: bc on the table nj Il quarter past three.
f Mrs O>good had always loyed Mi
AMY. in the old DAYS. and had been hoI
Y ing against hope. all thc>e wears. i"r ii
: reconciliation which had come NOW. :
: her heart WAS i'll her task. and tine dim,
e was ma>tcr-picce-a real work OF genll
e rs she used to say when she told The stol
o afterwards.
+. Amy. and Amy'> husband. and Il
d royStcrin. boys. and best OF all, the litt
III girl clc>e at yrandpapa'> side, with Ia
If happy eyes shining, and her golden ha
cleaning, and her quiet, womanly hti
70 ways-what Il .iubilant party they were
And among them ali job Golding SAW,
h. iamcied that he SIM. another face, ov
u which, almost thirty years ago, he Ia;
seen the gr;,ve-sod piled-a face sad al
p, wiSiiul no longcl, but bril- -ht with stran
=, glory No one else SAW hcr. he knew.
-, the gay laughs were going round, but clC
AT his side >hc seemed TO stand and
heard Or t:lncied that he heard. 4 whlsl
!, , from her parted lips, which only his {
~ ~ caught-the Christmas anthem.-
" "Pesoe on earth and good will toward men"
" II'atcimaR aRd Reflector.
Il.
Term0nt Items.
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