Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-01-06
She still believed in and trusted God he

everything lookeu bright ana cheeriul.
"Raise the curtain, Sarah" said Mr..
Rawson ''No, mol that one, the one
that looks towards our old house"
She did as requested.
How many Christmas days | have
spent there. little thought | should
ever come TO this.
Let us be thankful for even this
shelter, husband. 1t might have been
worse"
al don't well see how"
She did not answer him Immediately
for he was not in cheerful mood.
"What are we going to have for din
ner?" he asked soon after.
Il thought would warm over the
meat we had Yesterday his wife an
swcred hesitatingly.
"A rare Christmas dinner" he said
bitterly.
81 am afraid there are some who
would feel themselves happy even with
that"
"Whnt provoking woman you are!'
said he, peevishly.
Because | will not look on the dark
side" she returned with a faint smile.
II would irit would make me feel any
happier
Don't talk to me of happiness. That
will never come again for us."
Il don't know how it is, husband, but
/ never fclt more cheerful or lightheart
cd in my life. can't help feeling that
some great happiness is in storc for us.
"If you mean that we are ever likely to
get our money back, YOU need have no
hopes OF that. 1t is utterly and irrevoca'
bly, gone"
He might have added that it was his
own indiscrcct act by which it had been
lost, but we are apt to be indulgent 70
our own folieS.
"No it isn't that" said Mrs Rawson.
IL don't know indeed what it is, but as
we sometimes have prcscntimcnts of evil,
| think we may sometimes have feeling
of the approach of joy"
There was a silence unbro',cn till
vigorous knock was heard ut the door.
Mrs. Rawson answered the summons her.
self She saw before her the young man
introduced ut the commencement of the
story, but either her eyes were dim or
her maternal instinct failed her. tor she
did not recognize in the wollGnit and
vigorous frame OF the Young man, tho
boy OF seventeen who ten years before
had left her roof, and had never been seen
or heard of since 1t was no, without Il
quicker motion OF The heart that HE
Young man looked upon the worn but
well remembered face of the gentle
mother whom he had loved 50 well.
"Is Mr.. Rawson at homc?' he inquired.
"Ycs, sit Would you like to see him, .
"lf You please.
please come in. Ny husband is q
little iuirm at present, but hope he will
soon bc able to be about rs usual.
The young man entered, and tears rose
10 his eyes when he saw the mean ha6i.
tatiou with which his parents had to be
contented. Thank God" he thought
IL shall be able tochange all this"
"Excuac the liberty have taken in
calling upon you. Mr.. Rawson,' he said,
"but | have some thoughts of purchasing
the farm which YOU formerly owned, and
have been referred to you for information
concerning it, 1t is really valuable
farm, is ii not?"
IAN excellent one-nonc bettcr-and
would have been mine to. day if had not
been drawn on to speculate in property
which | had never seen. The result i5
poverty in my old age"
You have been indeed unfortunate,
sir, but the tide may turn"
Mr. RawsoE shook his head impatient.
". That is what my wife tells me, -"
he said, "but there is little hope of that"
"Should you regard five thousand
dollars as too high price for the farm,
Mr. Rawson?'
mo, il is we'll worth that"
Il am glad of it, for to tell the truth, [
have already bought it,"
"Will you settle on it yourself? In
that case we shall be neighbors.'
"Ycs | hope we shall be very near
neighbors, but did not buy the farm for
myself. but as a Christmas present for
some dear friends Of mine"
"A Christmas present. 1t is valua
bic one indeed"
"Ycs, but since it is intended for. my
father it cannot be considered too valua
Bile"
your father is fortunate in having so
devoted son."
Il am not sure that he thinks so. lam
afraid that have been lacking in duty"
Il beg pardon, sir, but you have moi
yc mentioned your name"
my namc," said the young man dc
libcrately, sis John Raw son
John" exclaimed his mother, rising,
and looking eagerly in his face.
Eyes, mother" said the young man,
embracing her. "the trucnt has returned.
i he welcome?"