The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-12-23

How should know? Didn't she run
away from me ?"
"And didn't she come back and cling
about your knees, aud kiss your hands,
and beg you to forgive her and her hus-
band---?"
"a pitiful, sneaking apothecary |"
"And didn't she write to you that very
letter, all blotted with tears and incoher-
ent with sorrow? Who are you that you
should refuse to forgive, and your own
flesh too, you heathen ?"
"She chose for HERSELF muttered the
merchant, "and she must abide by her
choice. When, five years ago, | closed
my doors and purse against her and her
neutrality-suspicious. swore---"
"More shame for you if you did but
you didn't swear, you only turned them
out like thieves, and came back to your
loneliness miserable wretch as you are
still, and always will be, unless -"
Hang it !" cried out the old gentle
man.
"Where is she2 Where is the bright
little figure that used to fit about this
very room, and make sunshine in it p
| Where are the warm little fingers that
used to clasp yours when you came in out
Of the street cold and weary2 Where is
the warm cheek that would be pressed
tenderly against yours to warm it? You re
a nice sort of father, you are why don't
you enjoy yourself amongst all your riches
and luxuries, eh?"
| The fire blazed up merrily, and still the
merchant stood with his hand under his
coat-tails, but he did not feel the warmth
comfortable, neither was his mind easy.
It's Christmas eve, " repeated the voice
under his waistcoat solemnly.
"Well, don't L know it2 OF course it
ISL
| Yes, but you don't know what sort of
Christmas that little sunbeam Of yours
may be keeping, though. Perhaps with
three or four children round her crying
for the bread which she hasn't got to give.
Think oft, you old miser."
| Once again the old gentleman walked
| up and down the room, and grunted out
his customary "Humphl" and then the
| fire shone out, and the chandelier looked
down benignantly on the silver service, as
much as to say, 81 told you so, knew
how it would be all alongp For the
merchant had gone out, and there was no
longer any living presence in the ROOM
| We will leave that little room also for
the street, not that it was at all inviting,
however, for the frost pinched the chill.
dren's noses, and sent the hands of the
big boys down deep into their trousers
lpockets. We will stop before q modest
house of three stories; very narrow it was,
very prim, evidently not liking its june
ture with two sisters which could not hold
their heads SO high in the world; house
which would be described by auctioneers
or agents as "genteel."
And there was an organ grinder oppo-
site the genteel house, looking up at the
narrow window wistfully, as he ground out
a melancholy version of the "Perfect
Cure" A boy or two clung round the
lamp-post, and pulled his coat-tails face.
tiously, or exhorted him with "Go it, my
pippin stick to it monkey-face - and
other cheering bits of encouragement.
But the organ-grinder was used to that,
and didn't mind besides, he remembered
that house opposite, and how one of the
narrow windows had opened one day, and
a little curly pate had been put out, then
q hand after the curly pate, and half
penny, which was thrown to the organ
boy. SO he looked up at the windows
with all his might. But it was no use.
No halfpenny was forthcoming for him,
and he moved on more sorrowful than ever
about Mary Anne, and paying no atten-
tion to the small boys who dogged his
heels ready for mischief As he moved
on, man in whity-brown jacket turned
the corner and rang the door-bel of the
genteel house. No one answered, and
Whity-brown moved back step or two,
looking up at the windows as the organ
grinder had done.
A light had sprung up in the hall of the
genteel house, and the door opened sud-
denly,
"Oh, it's you, is it 2"
eyes" said Whitybrown, ''it's me-"
"You're come for the"
"Stuf. Yes, l am. I'll wait for it,"
"Walk into the hall my man.
"Thank'ee, Buttons, no; III wait here.
I'd rather"
Just then an old gentleman, much muf
fed, and carrying cane which eswitch-
ed about nervously, stopped at the oppo-
site lamp-post, and stared up curiously at
the narrow windows. Then he crossed
over, still looking at the house.
"Who lives there ?" said the old gen.
tleman, turning to Whitybrown.
"Dr. Barrett"
Humph-Doctorl About as much
doctor as my. Rich man, eh2 Keeps
his carriage, and all that2"
"Did, but doesn't. Likes walking
Here the door opened, and the page put
his head out.
"Heres your physic, my good man.
Master would have seen you, but he q lust
come from the Dukes, and he's tired
And Wb;fyhroy, sbool, IL. bo.l ...:.L