The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-12-25

mine. Any letters, sir, by to-night's mail
Any resources. or important intelli
gencey"
mo resources, Joe, and bad news
almost worse than ALL"
"WSfse, siry"
" Yes, yes. You remember my sol
Charley-of course you remember him
You know ne went about two years sine
TO live with Van Zandt a Co., at An
twerp?-
"Yes sir. What Of him. Don't tel
me-he Is not dead. siry"
"No-that pang is spared me, but hav,
bad, very bad news of Charles. my ole
friend. wrote recently announcing oul
situation, and recommending his return
and Messrs. Van Zandt 4 Co. replieC
that he left them nearly year ago.
"L,ft them"
courses, and they reprimanded him-wher
he went of, no one knew where. Letters
were written 10 me by the house. but they
have miscarried. Nothing has since been
heard of Charley. fear he has taken 10
more evil ways still. He may be dead in
deed Unhappy that am all connected
with me seems 10 turn out badly !"
The merchant uttered a groan. Old Joe
looked at him with deep confederation.
Il am still more unfortunate than you
are, Mr.. Worthington," he said in a low
tone. :" had a soma noble boy-he Is
dead, sir. You know my Edmund He
was so handsome, so spirited. so bold and
he was lost at sea. He was on whaler-
the ship foundered. and the crew were
lost. My poor Edmund. We are truly
two unfortunate fathers, sir -
There the conversation ended. and mer-
chant and book-keeper separated.
Throughout the following week untir-
ing efforts were made TO collect the resour-
ces of Worthington Brothers. But slight
success crowned the merchants efforts 10
rescue the house. Friends OF past years
seemed TO have grown cold. and regretted
their inability to render assistance; and it
was only by great sacrifices that the house
succeeded in making all payments up to
the day before Christmas. In this. how
ever. the firm succeeded, and, as Mr..
Worthington locked his safe. and put on
his hat. he drew long breath Of relief.
Then. taking his old book-keeper's arm.
he went homeward with thankful heart.
and as they separated at the corner, he
murmured:
Let Us keep good heart yet, old
friend.-
Christmas morning. and the snow was
falling, and the wind whirling il about
like mad. a thousand COLLINS seemed
laughing and turning somersets, and hail
ing each other, as they sported around the
gables. and whistled and rumbled i'm key
holes and chimneys, wild with mirth at the
coming OF Christmas and old Joe Oar
ling's small house, in remote street of
the great city, seemed especially honored 1
BY the hobgoblins. who shook the win
lows till they ratified again.
A great fire was burning. and the break \
ast-table was set; and old Joe rubbed his \
hands in front of the blaze and locked out /
,f the window. when Il voice behind him. .
with rush of laughter in it. and sound
ng like silver bells. exclaimed
"Christmas-gift, father, dear. I've
.aught you ~
Old Joe turned round. As he did so.
| pair of rosy lips pressed his cheek. and
wo arms chung round his neck, belong
ng 10 little fairy of seventeen.
why, you look like sunbeam, Dali
"" he said.
And indeed the face resembled one. so
brilliant was the light of the eyes. Daisy
vas small, with neat, cosy figure. in a
lain but pretty dress and you saw at a
Ilance that this was one of those little
fairies who are the bless
ngs of the homes in which they rule.
Her father smiled, and fondly passed his
and over her hair. As he gazed at her.
e thought of his well-nigh penniless con-
ition, and heaved a sigh.
Poor little lady-bird. | have nothing
or you - he said. signing again.
But Daisy did not seem to regard the
circumstance as at all decreasing On the
ontrary. her face glowed. and turning
er bright head toward one side, She whis-
'ered:
i've got a Christmas-gift for you, faith
r dear"
"Have you? Now you've gone and
worked your little fingers to the bone.
Us a crayat, or"
NO. indeed, I've done nothing of the
Is not your present.
The rush of joyous laughter in the girls
dice nearly drowned her words. She
eemed bursting to reveal some secret.
heir talk was interrupted, however. by
he appearance Of Mother Darling and her
ock. with old Uncle John, looking wise
nd secretive.
Daisy had procured, somewhere. the
andsomest Christmas-tree imaginable--a
ushy cedar, full of light-blue berries
nd. having returned from church, whith-
r she went dutifully with the rest, she
roceeded, with the aid of Uncle John, her
rhine friend and favorite, to deck the
'ondrous tree with its brilliant orna-
rents. As evening drew on II was finish
!. and erected on the sideboard--its paper !
askets, and presents, and tapers, making
magical spectacle to the young Oar
ngs. who gazed at it with open-eyed
'onder.
Then the Christmas dinner appeared,
nd riveted all eyes. The great roast tur-
ey, and round OF beef, and thanking side ,
shes, aroused wild enthusiasm in the /.
Dung ones-old Joe devoutly said grace !;
nd the youthful members of the Darling
mily, chirping like flock of birds.
He'd each others attention to the splen- !,
a Ia,. v