The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1877-12-27

weaid have been bread enough for break
fat. wheu a great knock came Al the
door.
Harry knew In minute who Il was,
and sprang TO opee Il for bic friend. it
was be, sare enough. and be caught Har..
ry up 10 his arms apd kissed bim IS u he
belonged to hin; aud then. .slin holding
him, he took the seat be bad been sItung
10 al the little black table, opposite the
old man.
So you are Mr.. Solomon Crabbc, are
youp said be, speaking TO the miser.
What under the sun possessed you TO
hide yourself under sueh name as Old
Grab? a
am snre ] didn'l pick cat the name
myself, but II was given to me by bad
neighbors, whimpered the old man, who
seemed, greatly TO HArry's amszemeni,
To bo acquainted with and rather afraid
OF his visitor.
Well, II 10 just the name for you, aud
wonder | didn't gnessit was you when |
beard Il. have been having pretty
good chase for you, Mr., Grab, or Crabbe
whichever you prefer. suppose you
remember me, aud know what iva come
for. l 8
Yes, l sm not likely to forget you, and
| suppose you are wanting moneys that's
what you're always after,
OF course do, but never succeeded
IN getting any. You know well enough
that IL was for your own son bave tried
to get your money; but his need for il is
over, aud so are all his troubles. have
come TO tell you that your only son, my
unfortunate sisters husband, is dead at
last. Il u3
( send the~bey ont of1h6 room, said the
old man, rising and taking Harry by the
arm TO hurry his departure. ,ad ,.ia
No, lei him stay; he must hear The
story Of his delightful grandfather's good
ness sometime, said the visitor, holding
the child tightly TO him.
So the boy stayed, for the first time
openly disobeying his grandfather, and
listened TO long conversation between
The TWO, which he hardly understood,
but he could see that the old man talked
very angrily at first, and then became
perfectly quiet and leaned his head upon
the table, so that his face was out OF sight.
Then the visitor, still holding Harry and
looking down upon bis face foHdIy, said :
am going TO tell You little story, my
boy--not a very lively one, but lrue,
every word oft Twelve years sgo this
charming old map's only son married my
sister Maggie. was mate Of ship in
the China trade, and used TO have to
leave her and my mother alone most OF
the time, my voyages were so long. So
was rather pleased when she and Rob
ert Crabbe made up the match. was in
port when they were married, but
sailed soon after, and II was three years
before came home again. Then found
some changes. My mother was dead
Robert was in very poor health. and
Maggie had little son three months old
Mag had worried good deal, for Robert
had been obliged TO give up his position
aud things seemed to go rather hard.
did what could to mend them. found
Robert had been advised 10 try the sea
so got him place as supercargo TO sal
on my own ship, and ho went out tc
China with me. | left my pay for Mag
and her boy, and things seemed to have {
better look Roberts health improved
every day at sea, but while we were un
loading in port, he was crushed by {
heavy weight and all prospect Of his evei
being a well man again was gone. ] lef'
him with friends of my own when wen
home, aud thought maybe there would b.
some way TO bring Maggie back back e
him; but couldn't flnd her, nor hea
anything about her, except that she haC
left lhe place ard gone TO his father; bu
no one knew where he was. spent al
the time bunting up people of his name
hoping I'd catch The right Crabbe, till i
WAS time to sail again.
Next time came home found ih
old gentlema -nnt here ihough; and b.
told me poor Mag was dead, and he
baby 100. | lried II make bin sorr.
enough tor his sick son in China to max
him give me money for hiID, but not
dollar wtuld be send. ! neglected 4
find out where be lived, so never coul,
fad him again, iii yesterday chance'
on man who told me all about him. s.
made up my mind | would come an,
tell him of bis sons death. The ma
told me Old Grab lived here alone wit
bis grandson; and when lac directed M
to the house, aud ionnd II was the yer
old shaBiy bad brought this little whit
chap home 10 the other day, my min
: misgaye me that tho old ras---sh, yes
old gentleman had lied-ahem, mea
was mistaken when he said Mag's bab
had died. Bless me, You don't loo
much bigger than baby yet.
Now then, midget, the 6rst part Of IN
: story is about through. The second paI
/ Ia shorter. You know | was expeciin
! the pleasure OF your company to take
{ walk out TO choose present. Well, "
. will 20 all the same, but lrst let me ask
! you are willing to make me q Chrislms
presentf
: Oh, what can give 10 you when | has
: 40 money said Barry, who bad lislene
e to the story with breathless inleresi an
. strange, bcwlloered look, as II thei
{ were some things 10 be explained.
J. Yoa can give me a present | wonl