Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-01-19

XueO liliSulSneQ acQulS1t1Ol
to Miss Cameron's list of Acquaintance
es.."
A deep flush mantled her fair brow
but she deigned no word Of reply
Carl Granger saw he had been indis
Greet, to say the least, and endeavored
by putting forth his most FASCINATING
powers, to cast away the cloud that hac
gathered ON the face usually so bright
Carl's attempts were frutless. But
when an hour had passed, and William
Hartley returned, then, to his great
chs9liu, he saw softer light glow il
her dark eyes, and her lips wreathe6
with smiles that he had failed to draw
forth.
That night Carl Granger, determined
to know his fate, asked Florence to be
his wife, and, to her parents great dis
appointment, she kindly but firmly said
she "could not love him."
"Foolish girl Do you not know
that, besides his own fortune, Mr..
Granger is the only heir of an old
uncle, who is fabulously richl" said
Mrs. Cameron.
Florence's fathers disappointment
was as keen as his wife's, for he felt his
foundation trembling, and knew before
long it must fall. And so it was; be-
fore another year had passed the stately
mansion was no longer his. He was
almost penniless. But he was true,
loving father, and would not barter his
child's heart for gold.
And so, when William Hartley won
Florence, he took her not from a home
of luxury, but one as humble as his
own Years rolled by, bringing with
them Joy and sorrow, until six had
passed. During the last one clouds
had gathered, swift and dark, over Will
liar Hartley and his loved ones; and
so on Christmas morning, six years af-
ter the one when the strange old man
was helped by Florence, they were alb
solutely destitute.
II wonder what has become of that
old mani" said William, during the
day. 81 called few days after 1 took
him home, to inquire how he was get
ting on, but he had gone from that
place"
"Do you know, William, to that old
mans sufferings you are indebted for
your wife, That day saw the differ
ence between you and Carl Granger.
His heartle ,sness frightened me, and
fled to you, and grew calm and happy"
said Florence, while beautiful flush
spread over her face, chasing away the
care-worn look of few moments be-
fore
You fled to poverty, toll, suffering
Oh. my darling, i hoped to have shell
tered you from such. "
CT 1e1 from worso Coma obaor
up all will vet be well. did not tell
you, the last time / was out, saw Carl
Granger very much intoxicated. He
is living now entirely on his expecta-
tions"
Mamma mamma Kriss Krin-
gle's coming See See Hurrahl Old
Kriss liked to have forgotten us, L
guess! 7" cried little Willie, shouting
and clapping his hands.
Florence arose to look out. when a
knock sounded on the door; opening
which, she beheld standing before her
the old man of whom she had just been
speaking.
"Come inl / am glad to see you
Where have you been this long time7
And how did you find us p Florence
asked, taking his hand and drawing
him in.
CT found very easily what / have
never lost. I've thought of you often,
time to come" answered the old man.
"Come! sit down here" saio Viii
liam, getting up and offering his own
comfortable chair.
"Wait bit. If / set down, don't
want to get up soon. Better know first
how long / can stay" answered the old
man, still standing.
| GAS long as you like. We are poor,
very poor, but if yoa want home with
us, we will not send you forth Sit
down, answered William.
"The same unchanged !" murmured
the stronger
"What shall we call you9" asked
Florence.
"Kriss Kringlel The children call
ed me SO. Let them continue. And
you may say Uncle, if you prefer" he
said.
4 comical expression was on his face.
smiles continued to play about his thin
lips, and he seemed very happy.
When Florence went out to prepare
the frugal dinner, the old man called
the children, and listened to their lisp
ing voices. William was watching, very
much amused, when the old mans words
were whispered, and little Willie, seem
ing to understand, lowered his tore, and
the heads of the old and the young were
close together, at some mysterious plot
ting.
The fathers amusement was changed
TO the greater amazement, when, soon
after Florence came back, Willie ran
up, exclaiming
Christmas gift for mamma, and pap
pa too! Kriss Kringle sent them to
youl"
1t was only little roll of paper.
Opening which, they found, told in
words never palmer, "No more power
ty! no more toilingl" Many thousands
of dollars they held in their hands.
They could not speak at first But
after while, when they poured forth
their thanks, Kriss Kringle said:
"Your home is minei you and yours
are mine! AL have is for you'll You
won it six years ago, both of you. And
that day you had another friend with
you. L knew him by name before 1
learned his nature then. / heard his
remark when was going out Ha ha
He lost something then, didn't he
Eh2"
Florence and William thought the
old man was very shrewd to have read
the hearts of all, that Christmas-day.
But he meant not what they thought.
They knew it In after years.
$50, make our children happy!" he
urged "And, my good child, take
this, handing her more money, ''and
make the poor old folks you meet and
the little children who are looking
longingly in at the gay windows, make
them happy too"
Oh, what joyous Christmas it was
For five years the old man dwelt with
them, and then he sank calmly to sleep,
loving hearts and gentle hands soothing
him.