Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-12-24

shone out clear and glorious throug
the tiny window upon the little boy
now In profound and dreamless sleeI
III.
Merry Christmas 70 shouted Willi
as he sprang out of bed the next morn
ing, and battered on his bare feet to hi
grandmother's bedside.
Merry Christmas, DEAR" she an
swered. "Did you sleep we'll all throug
the cold mighty
Didn't II" And 1 had such fun
ny dream 1 dreamt that the nortl
wind told me all about Christmas -Ev
In different countries, and he told me
yes, he told me that there was presen
coming for me this morning, o grand
ma ] has it come yet? has it come"
Not stopping for an answer he ran t,
the window.
go grandma !" he exclaimed, &c,
see footprints in the snow all the wa,
to the door. Perhaps they have left tn,
present inside the porch. Oh let M.
make haste and dress SO that I can q
and look"
u
that he put on his trowsers wrong side
before, and his jacket inside out, and
had to beg his grandmother to help him
correct these droll mistakes. Soor
both were dressed, and, kneeling down,
Wlllie's grandma implored Gods bless.
ing and protection upon them, and then
they opened the door leading to the lit
tie kitchen.
But what does this mean ?" The
fire was blazing merrily where they had
left only dead embers the night before.
And how was this? A famous breakfast
was smoking on the table in place of
the simple bread and milk, which was
all they had had in the house the night
before? And who is that tall, sunburnt
man, with the long golden. brown beard
and bright blue eyes so like Willie's,
who stands by the hearth, a smile Just
glimmering through the big tears COM
ing down his cheeks?
Grandma looks steadfastly in his face
for moment, and then she turns deadly
white and faints IS he darts forward and
catches her in his arms, and sobbipp
mother mother !" folds her fondly
to his heart. The next moment Willie
Is caught up, and for the first time in
his life the little boy felt his fathers
arms around him, his fathers tears and
kisses on his cheeks.
My son, my son." murmured his
mother, "has God indeed sent you back
to me at last ?" Her thankful Joy soon
made her strong again, and nowhere
could there have been happier party
than the one in the little cottage as thew
sat down to breakfast that Christmas
Strange is the tale that Willie and
his grandmother hear how ID the heat
Of foolish quarrel the husband had
left his home vowing never to re-
turn; how fate had directed his
wanderings to the golden shores
Of Australia; how fortune had
showered her gifts upon him: how
1T last God had awakened mis- con-
science and brought him to repentance
so bitter that he could not rest until he
had returned to the mother-wife and
little child so cruelty abandoned long
years before. He had arrived at the
village late on Christmas Eve; he had
)een told that his wife was dead. and
his poor mother and little Willie were |
to live with poverty-that
yaunt wolf-at their door. He had in
iuced the landlord of the inn to pro-
ide him with all things necessary, and |
n the gray dawn had softly entered the |
title cottage, the door of which was
lever locked. "And now, mother.
please God" he said, "you and nv
10Y shall never want for anything again
n this world. My poor Maggie" his
'oice broke and he burst into tears. off
could only have heard her say that
he forgave me |"
"She did, my son." said his mother
she died praying for your welfare,
shereveT you might be. Never doubt
hat ner pure spirit looks down upon
is now, rejoicing in your return to your
10Y and to me-"
As size said this the merry Christmas
.ells rang out a joyful peal. The happy
title family rose, and clasping hands
aade the glad answer:
"Glory to God in the highest. on
arth peace, good will toward men !"