North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-12-29

er, it is enough that God has brought us
together again in peace. thought that
no one could resist my little Amy, least of
all, her grandpapa.'
He looked up. The child stood by,
silently; the freight glittering on her
golden 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. Oh,
how much he had missed in life he
knew it now. He felt her clnging hold
round his neck-her kisses dropped upon
his face like the plying dew from heaven:
and he-was it himself, or another soul in
his place? F.a
"Father, see."
Amy's voice had full, cheerful ring in
it. Her married life had been happy.
Mr.. Golding turned at the call.
"Here are Harry and the boys waiting
to speak to you," she said, in q less assur.
ed tone.
He shook his SON in laws hand hearti
ly. Old feuds, old things, were over now,
and all was become new. In his heart,
until that trouble came, he had always
liked Harry Church. Then he looked at
the two boys, brave, merry little fellows,
of whom he might be proud.
Explanations ensued. Fortune had
favored Mr.. Church they had come back
for good, and were already looking out for
house.
"No house but mine,' interrupted
Joseph Golding. "It will want tenant
when l am gone. You must come home
to- morrow"
Tomorrow will be Christmas day."
said his daughter, half doubtingly.
"All the better. If Christmas was new
er kept in my house, it shall be now. l
shall not live to see another. Amy"
She looked up at the changed, thin,
face, and could not contradict him. Some
one, going out to the West Indies, had
told them how Joseph Golding was break
ing; the news had caused them to hurry
home prematurely. Amy said to her hus'
band that if her father died, unreconciled
to her, she would be full of remorse for
ever.
| "You will come home tomorrow, all of
you," repeated Mr.. Golding. And mind,
Amy, you do not 90 away again."
"But-if the children should be too
much for you, father!
"When they are, I'll tell you," he said,
with touch of former grufness. The
old house is large enough"
lie went out; and found his way to
the sbops--open to the last on Christmas
eve in the old town-lsoking for Christ
mas gifts. New work for him but
he entered into itearnestly. Perambula-
ting the streets like bewildered Santa
Claus he went home laden with books,
and toys, and je exels, and bon bons. Mrs.
Osgood lifted her hands, and thought the
end Of the world must be coming.
"Help me to put these things away,
OsSood. Don't stare as if you were
moon-struck. And, look here-therel II
be company to dinner tomorrow. Mind
you send in good one."
"The best that was ever seen on table,
master-if it's for them think it may be
for.'
swell, it is. Miss Amy's coming home
again."
Heaven be praised, sir! The house
has been but dull one since she left it"
They are all coming. And they will
not so away again, Osgood. If you want
more servants you can get them"
sits the best Christmas Box you could
have given me, master"
And they came. Amy and Amy's hus-
band and the pretty boys were there; and
best of all, the sweet little girl with the
golden hair, sitting next to grandpapa. Il
was too happy party for loud mirth
And among them Joseph Golding saw, OF
fancied he saw, another face, over which
almost thirty years ago, he had watched
the grave-sod piled-a face wistful nc
longer, but bright with strange glory
Close over beyond him she seemed &C
stand; and he heard, or fancied that he
heard, whisper from her parted lips
though it might have come only from hi,
own heart,
"Peace earth and good will toward men,"
Opening the door, she went softly in
not speaking; perhaps the stern looking
old man, sitting there with bent head
awed her to silence. Joseph Golding
waking up from his deep reverie, saw a
letter held out to him. He took it me-
chanically, supposing its messenger, hid
den behind his large chair, was one Of hi.
waiting>mads. With singular quicken
ing of pulse, he recognized his daughter
writing.
She had waited all these silent years
she told him, because she was determined
never to write to him again until they
were rich enough for him to know that
she did not write from any need of his
help. They had passed these ten years in
the Indies, and heaven had prospered
them. Her husband was rich man now,
and she wanted from her father only his
love-wanted only, that death should not
come between them, and neither Of them
20 to her mothers side without having
been reconciled to the other.
METHopIsM.-The Methodist Almanac
for 1870, publishes these figures, showing
the strength of the denomination in the
Southern States: