Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-12-16
THE SAILORS RETURN.
A Christmas Story.

Tt was Christmas eve. For an hour
or moreI had been seated before the
chimney place gazing into the fire, in
dulging In retrospection. | am a
bachelor. But Christmas is not the
only day I devote to dreaming; for
am one of Observation-Disclosures who live
much in the past, and often, as twilight
deepens into darkness, [ sit peerlng
back into the hazy past,in fancy snatch
ing again scenes which bring to my
vision sweet childish face, framed in
a profusion Of yellow ringlets, face
that made an impression on my boyish
heart, which time can never eface.
That awoke within me the first wild
thrills of love-true, inc ulging love- A
face too heavenly for this world, so
God called it away early. When I
looked upon it for the last time-before
the coffin lid shut it forever from my
view-my young heart chilled within
me, and [ fervently prayed that I, too,
might die. From the moment that
heard the harsh earth thud upon the
coffin that contained the form of nv
child love, [ became something of re-
cluse. I had come to Cliffville on bust
ness a few days previous to the opening
of my story, intending to return on the
following day; but before I had been
In town two hours an old acquaintance
of mine-the gout-took it upon him
self to pay me visit; [ was obliged
to foreeo all business and remain in
my room in the Cliffville Hotel. Christ
mas eve found me much improved.
But the prospect of spending the day
at village tavern, where [ was total
stranger, did not present to me an I'M
pleasant aspect, although sense of ex-
IRENE loneliness stole over me, and the
silence and gloom of the room (for it
was not quite dark oppressed me. I
put some wood upon the fast expiring
Goals and lighted up my lamp. paced
up and down the narrow room to keep
warm. By degrees my thoughts drift
ed into strange channel, land suddenly,
and for the first time in my exist
ence, I realized what useless, selfish
being [ was-that [ had been looking
at life through defective glass. [
was simply Isaac Alderton, moody old
bachelor, with an intellect In no way
superior to the average, but possessing
a goodly stock of this worlds goods,
which [ had managed and used for the
qualification of my own selfish whims
and fancies, never for moment think
ing of the want and suffering around
me. [ would turn over new leaf and
date it Christmas eve, 1856.
A few moments later found me care
fully picking my way over the slippery
pavement of the main street of thetown.
In the store-windows, which we're illu-
minated as brightly as plentiful array
of oil-lamps and metal refectors would
permit, articles of every description
were displayed In the most enticing
manner. Groups of men, women, and
children were collected before the most
attractive windows, gazing admiringly
at their alluring contents, while others
hurried hither and thither laden with
numerous packages, containing articles
destined to make both young and old
hearts bound with pleasure on the NOR
row. The jingle of bells, as the merry
sleighing parties dashed over the crisp
snow, the peals of laughter that reached
my ear, and the happy smiling faces
that met my gaze at every turn, com
bined to almost convince me that care
had been vanquished for time, and
mirth and happiness had usurped its
place.
[ had been walking quite briskly for
some moments, humming half aloud odd
lines from old songs, having quite for
gotten my mission, when the distance
between store windows, and the infre-
quency of street lamps, notified me that
Twas approaching the suburbs of the
town.
Going back away, had stopped op-
posite the show-window of a little con
lection and toy store. Before this win
dow, looking with longing eyes at the
wonders within, stood little girl thin
y and poorly clad, and by her side
sorrowful, careworn face.
ooh! grandpa, arn'tthey beautiful p
exclaimed the child. "See that doll
with light hair. Isn't she lovely! How
| wish she were mine; but you can't buy
her for me, can you?"
Not tonight, replied the old man,
with half-suppressed sigh. "But
some time, perhaps, my little Aggie car
have far finer one-when grandpa gets
rich"
He smiled family, then turned his
eyes from the window and gazed away
into the darkness. The light fell upon
his face, when could easily discern
the deep traces ofcare, disappointment,
and age.
ooh how / wish had some of those
candies, and-the doll, and that wagon
with red wheels, and-but forgot 1t
is wrong to make such wishes. Aunt
Maria has told me that I must not coyet
thing-that to do SO is very wickad