Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1877-12-26

A4N0 ~ 4OOACA ~ Ia ~
face, q ii fearful of her answer. Mar
gerry give an unkind reply? She could
not ii she tried.
Room, Johnl ay, plenty Of room,
and welcome" and Margery kissed the
boy, who burst into tears; whereupon
John blew his nose violently, and hur-
1ied his wife and the boy, whose name
was Harry Fielding, up stairs to supper.
Harry ate little, and when he spoke, it
was only to say yes and no. The kind
couple saw that his heart was full, and
did not trouble him with questions. But
after supper, he was shown into a snug
little bedroom, which looked as if it had
been designed for a little fellow like him.
And 20 it had been.
John and Margery sat long over the
parlor fre, talking about Harry, and pro-
pounding many schemes concerning what
should be done with him. John listened
without Directing to any proposal Mar
gerry made, but-he had settled it in his
mind that, if the thing were possible, the
boy should remain.
"Margery," said John, after a long
pause Of silence, "don't you think the
boy is very much like our Willie, whom
il pleased God to take from US SO long
ago?"
Why, John that very thought passed
through my mind when l kissed him, as
he stood, timid and trembling, at your
side"
After another long pause, John said:
" Margery, lass, a strange idea has
taken possession of me tonight. Isone-
how think that Heaven has sent this boy
to me a. q Christmas gift"
"a very strange thought" said Mar
"And yet not 30 strange, lass, after all.
Where do all our gifts CINE from but
from Heaven? and all are intended for
our good. But then rises the solemn
thought, dear wife, that we must all give
an account of how we have used these
gifts. Let us consider this boy Gods
Christmas gift to US, and let us bring
him up in such a name that. when
the time comes, we shall not be ashamed
to render an account Of our steward
ship"
at shall be as you say, dear John.
Yet-if q day should come on which his
friends or relations claim him! Oh! I
know you too well not to guess what a
heartbreak his departure would be?"
ct would be a bitter parting for me
still, for all that, let US do all the good
for him we can, until that day comes, if
it must come, Margery, DEAR"
Harry Fleming followed the remains
of his mother to the grave. She was
decently inferred in the churchyard of
Wilton, the expense being shared by the
rector, the doctor and John, who often
banded together to do good.
According to the story which Harry
told TO his kind protectors, while sitting
ON his stool between them at the fireside,
one evening, it appeared that his father
had become, shortly after marriage, a
drunkard and q gambler. He used Ia
absent himself from home, frequently fol
many days, and would, when he return.
ed, beat his wife, and otherwise trea,
her cruelty. At last his property wal
seized by his creditors, and he fled. nc
one knew whittier, leaving his wife and
child to the mercy of the world.
The poor deserted wife had neither
friends nor relations. She thought il
she could but make her way to London
she might find some employment. She
started on foot, along with her son, t.
the great city, selling her gold watch and
chain in q town on the road to get money
with which to pay for fsod and lodgings
and said Harry, as he concluded thu
melancholy tale, drought the las,
penny of the money to your shop, good
kind Mr.. Thurgood, and good, kind Mrs
T~hurgood," and saying this he laid hi
head in Margery's lap and wept.
In the lapse of years Harry rose from
errand-boy TO chief assistant in the shol
Of the kindly old grocer. His highesi
pleasure was, when the hours of bushes,
were at an end for the day, to sit besid.
his kind protectors, by the fireside in ths
winter, or in summer in the little arbor
and read the bible to them, or talk abou'
the events of the days gone by. Will,
old John listened to the voice he loyee
NJ well, . pang Of fear would some time
for an instant touch his heart. 1t wa,
the dread that "his boy"-though Harr,
Was entering upon manhood, he wa still
/" his boy"-would be torn from his side
oh, that he could only looked into tn,
future and seen that his fears wer,
g~roundless!
Ten years have passed away ant
again it is Christmas Eve. In order Il
wish his customers the compliments O.
the season, John has-a rare thing nov
taken his place behind the counter
He has enough to do. Everybody will
shake hands with the silver-haired ole
man, and everybody will wish him man,
happy returns of the season. A mai
enters the shop who holds not forth hi
hand, and has no words Of Joyous greet
ing. He il about middle age, and ha
the appearance of a shabby-genteel beg
! gar; Harry inquiries how he can B
served.
g" Nm q clerk out of employment.
. whines the man, and / have not taste
food since morning. Look, sir, at thes
!. documents, and you will zee that / tel
the truth"
4 Had it been any other time, Harr
would have given the beggar a copper q
[ two, and troubled himself no more abou
) him but being the eve of Christmas, b,
> busy ~ he wa, took the roll of paper
8 He ran his eye over one OF them.
Z wAs sufficient.
The man who stood before him was b
father. Harry wrote on . piece Of pap
4 which be gave 70 him saying:
"Thke that to the codee-r00m q q
dressed, WHARF you viii BE- provided wi
Ifood, and rsnain there till comei"