Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1877-12-25


clay lifted the linen apron, and saw
that the kilt.pleated skirt underneath
was of fine wooden cloth that
matched in shade the navy blue
stockings fitting the small rounded
legs. i never saw the child in the
town. He may have been brought
on a visit, and l suppose no has
strayed out
What shall we do with him -?
asked Mr.. Barclay. He stood beside
the chair looking down at Box, and
Box with his head on his short arm
stared at the andirons, and the blaz.
ing log. Mrs. Barclay stood and
gazsd It both man and child. Sud
denly Box slid out Of the chair, lay
face down on the rug, and peered up
the wide chimney. Then he raised
his hand, pointed my seriously aud
whispered, That's the place, isn't it?
/ What place 2 asked Mrs. Bar
clay.
Where Santa Claus comes down.
What nonsense to put in Il childs
head = said Mr.. Barclay.
Hush, James. Don't let the little
one hear you. Let him have his child
ish faiths while il is possible. He'll
lose them time enough.
DO you think he'll bring me my
drum and gum
Perhaps so, said Mrs. Barclay.
When will he come
May be o-night.
+ Mr.. Barclay walked toward the
door. His wife followed him.
I'll go out, he said, perhaps | may
meet people looking for him. lie Is
better here keeping warm.
She stood at the door for several
minutes looking after her husband as
he walked toward the centre of the
town, then signing, she went back to
the dining room.
Box lay asleep on the rug, one lit
tie arm doing duty as pillow. Mrs;
Barclay sat in the easy chair and
watched him.
twenty-five years before she had
watched another lild's slumbers, and
in her waking dreams had constructed
for him grand future. Bnt something
had been lacking in the home life ;
surrounded with luxuries, the child,
as he reached boyhood had grown
melancholy and dissatisfied. He came
home from college dreamy, thought.
tul young man, with his tastes devel.
oped and cultivated, and found that
his father dsspised the things that he
most loved. For two years be tried
to interest himself in the factory from
which his father drew his income. But
it was hard. unsatisfying labor, and
the place was to him little better
than prison. Then followed some
fruitless Arguments, and bitter quar-
rel. George Barclay turned his back
on father, mother, home and luxury
and went away to grapple with the
world after his own fashion.
His father would not have his
name mentioned before him; the few
letters he at first wrote to his mother
were returned unopened, having nat
urally reached his fathers hands,
Mrs. Barclay had grown.in after thai
trial. She kept her husbands house
and saw that its costly furniture die
; not suffer from moths or dust, shs SUI
perintended his meals, and received
relations and her own; but the WON
an heart was dead in her breast. Sh'
was we'll regulated human machine
her neighbors pitied her, and her hus
band laughed at her weakness-pin
ing after an ungrateful, thankless son
|, Mr.. Barclays progress was inter
. rupted by neigh5or issuing from hi
gate on his way TO church. Mr. Van
lerpool was strong religonist. ant
an enthusiastic on the subject OF mu
sic.
Barclay. if you've no particular en-
gagement, come into my pew for
little while. Our new organist ane
soprano make their first appearance
to-day. ! can promise you treat
for | was at rehearsal last night.
DO they belong here ?
No, they came from New York
Lottimer secured them a few weeks
ago; but they had arrangements t.
complete before they could leave.
We'll, I'd like to hear some gooc
music but doubt that I ought t.
spare the time. We had a little boy
stray to our gate this morning, and
came out to huLt up whoever owns
him.
why, his folks will hunt him Up
he is safe, so come on.
So he went in. The perfume Of the
pines and hemlock was agreeable, the
dim, soft light soothing, and if the ser
vices were not interesting, sleep was
wooed by the faint music that opened
the Voluntary.
The novelty of everything however
kept Mr.. Barclay wide awake. The
music was good 80 far above the
average as to obtain perfect silence
snd attention from the congregation
Whom tho nrelrie To the anthem was