The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1872-01-10
John Allon's christmas Gift.

and groaucd beneath the blast Of
| tho wind.
Tho wealthy banker roso from
his chair as tho storm grew loud
or, aud going to tho window, raised
tho damusk curtain, aud looked
out. All was dark, aud slcct and
snow foil heavily against the
paues.
IA dreadful night" muttorcd
he, rcsuming his scat. "A dread
ful night. l pity tho poor wretch
who is obliged to face this wind
and rain. | wonder is Agatha-'
Il half sigh fiutlerci from his lips,
and II look Of pain fingered in his
eyes. Many people believed John
Allen to be without u heart, and
supposed that whatever affection
ho was capable Of feeling had been
given years before to tho shining
gold which lay in yIittoring heaps
! in his Golfers, and in SO believing
were nearer right than the banker
cared to havo them.
Oncc-long ago-a fair haired
daughter had filled the stately
house with sunshine and song.
~ merry voice rang with laugh
ter through the wido parlors, and
tho pattcr Of dancing feet re-
echoed from stairway and hall.
Agatha Allen was the bankers
only child-his pride and his treas
ule. In her he had ccntcrcd ~!
his hopes; and when she married
n poor bookkccper without his
sanction, and even against his ex.
press commands, his rage know
no bounds, and he cast hor off.
That was long before, and he
mover heard from her after; but
often rs tho months glided by and
were linked in the chain of years,
memory reverted to tho happy
past, and the resolve WAS half
formed to search and discover her
whereabouts, if possible.
And now, AZ he sat alone in his
study, there came Il great ycarn-
ing to have his daughter again
with him.
All the long night John Allen
sat dreaming before tho fire, and
the chimes of the Christmas bells
awokc him from tho dozc into
which he had fallen.
"Christmas morning." he muscd
sadly. IL will begin at once. @
God ! what if am too late -
lie opened the door and stepped
out upon the piazza. Tho air WAS
clear and pierWug'y cold, while
all ovcr the earth and housctops
the snow had fallen, wrapping the
whole in garment Of tho purcSt
whito.
The banker buttoncd his cont
moro closely around him as the
keen frosty air penetrated TO his
person.
"a penny, please, sir" The
voice was half drowned in .rars,
and little blue pinchcd hand
was held out cntrcatlngly.
Something in tho tones startled
him, and bending down he pecpod
curiously into the large sad eyes
which gave tho littlo bcsgar a
weird, uncanny look.
"What is your namo, little onc2'
asked he, kindly.
"Agatha, Agatha Allon Stew
art" was the trcmulous reply.
"May Goo forgive mo-" and
catching the child in his arms, be
hurried into the study.
"And your mamma, how is Shc?'
questioned he, az he seated the
wee mite before the fro and or
dcrcd generous meal to 10 pre-
pared.
The brown eyes wore lillod with
tears t" ovorhowin%, and between
The choking sobs J ohm Allen learn.
cd the fact that his onco beautiful
daughter wa. starving by inches
in hired tenement, while his
boarded gold lay unused in its
hiding place.
When tho child was warmed
and fed, he ordered the dainty lit
tlo sleigh and sleek ponies, packed
a basket with good substantial
food and wine, and drove in tho
direction Of his dnughtcr's rosi,
deneo-~-a residence of squalor and
poverty hardly to be conceived.
Up, up tho ricllcty, cracking
stairs, through dark passage
way, and pointing to low door
the child said, simply:
"lts in there, sir. Wo live
here"
lie pushed open tho door and
went in.
Upon u bed in one corner Of tho
room lay an attcnuatrd figure.
Tho cyos woro closed ns if in
sleep, and ono thin transparent
hand claspcd tightly tho worn
oountcrpano.
awake, mamma, wake! See
tho gentleman has fetched us
broad, ~ basket fuIl," and tho girl
laid hor own small palms upon the
thinner ono Of hor mother. But
no sound camo from tho pale lips
no returning glance Frightened