The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-12-22
BLACK AND WHITE CHRISTMAS.

CHAPTER I.-BLACK CHRISTMAS.
Ralph stepped off the train, and, turn.
ing deaf ear to the entreaties of rival
hsckmen, walked briskly along the
plank pavement of his native village,
carrying MS valise in his hand. II was
night-the night before Christmay day.
A SnOw-storm was bowling abroad,
singing the faces Of pedestrians. Ralph
could scarcely discover one old land
mark through the whirl OF wind. Peo-
pie passed him muffied so closely that
they looked like walking pillows.
He hurried up the steps of the one
small hotel Chat vast caravansary OF
his juvenile days), and walked, breath
less, into the new, crowded office. IL is
pathetic 10 60 back 10 places which you
have known and rememb ered an your
years, and find that they remember YOU
no more. Ralph was no nabob OF 2
traveller, who had achieved great
achievements and come back 10 saline
in the eyes Of his early associates. He
bore the traces OF hard work and COM
paratiye poverty. He was still quite a
young man, and had an energetic
breadth Of shoulder and anindependent
carriage. But his face bore lines Of dis
appointment; his cheeks we're thinned
by fever; his whole person, as well as
his dress, testified that he was one Of
those men who push TO the frontier for
the success which Eastern towns deny
them, and who often get more scars
than rewards.
Ralph took Off his slou ching hat and
shook the now from il, and hustled
about the fire 10 hide from himself his
chagrin at meeting no familiar face.
But villages change so quickly. Half
q dozen years will bury a generation of
old folks, and bring in new popula-
ton of strangers; and he had heard
from the place Only at rare intervals
during half dozen years. The time
be had spent on the Rocky Mountains
and Western prairies, and counted long
only because il paid him 50 little, had
been cycles of changes to these vii
layers. He wondered If May were al
tered much? He always counted on
finding her the same young, pale-faced
girl, with unlimited trust in him and
the clinging ways he could never for
get.
Ii seemed to him only yesterday when
she kissed him goodbye. with her arms
around his neck. Poor little girl, she
had had tough lifel Homeless and
almost friendless she had been pushed
about. Ralph had always loved her.and
they plighted their troth % each other
when they walked barcfooted 20 the
same school. Ralph was nearly az
destitute as she, but he had a boys .
scope and sturdy spirit lie meant 10 .
get rich and marry her. II never oc-
CURED 70 him that he could marry any .
girl but May. lie went first with al .
his yeung enthusiasm 20 fight In the .
civil war, and May and he firmly be-
lieved be would come back a General. ,
They wrote comforting letters 20 each .
other, while Ralph roughed campaign .
after campaign, and May wore thin .
calico dresses and sat up nights study i
ing 20 be a teacher. They promised .
themselves great Joy when Ralph came
safely through his wounds and the war
with honorable Lieutenant straps upon
bis shoulders, and May found position
IN the village schnois. They would be
AT once sud defy poverty
But Ralph determined TO 90 and look
Tor q wider arena. Perhaps battle
powder was not Yet out Of his blood.
he Was daring boy. They could wait
onger; SO he went directly from the
army to the plains. May was very
willing 10 wait. But while be was dar-
ne his fortune thus, the years slipped
put Of hand and gave him next 10
nothing in their place lie mined un-
% he dospaired, and then sold his
claims one week 20 a man who, the ,
leXt week, struck the long -ielt-for vein
de tried merchandise in the half heath
m towns Of the border; but drouth
KILLED the crops one year, and he gen. /
'rously gave up all his stock TO suffer- .
'rs and became next TO bankrupt with