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

on one ample knee. and coolly mount
ing the other, demanded story.
"a story my child, where would
l get story?
"Out Of your head" and Box point.
ed small finger. That's where
mamma gets them. About the little
dig that stayed at home, and little
Puss that fell into the we'll"
Mr.. BARCLAYS face was covered with
his hands; his wife sobbed aloud.
Box seemed puzzled. "You're not
bad, are you ?" he said coaxingly,
Juggling at the stlong hands that hid
miserable drawn face. "Only bad
boys cry. Then will I sing for you
like mamma does"
"Carol brothers, carol, carol merrily,
Carol the good tidings, carol joyfully, :.
And praya gladstone Christmas to all
good Christian men;
Carol, brothers, carol, Christmas day
again"
piped the high voice, clear as a bell.
A loud cry outside startled the lit.
tie group, and then q tap on the win.
dow drew all eyes in that direction.
Pressed against the wide pane was
the face Of the new soprano, her eyes
wild yet full Of Joy, and her white.
frightened features returning slowly
to their natural expression. "My
mamma screamed Box, nearly tum-
bling to the ground. Away went
drum and gun as Mr.. Barclay hurried
to tho door. In a minute the mother
knolt on the rug, holding Box to her
heart, pressing kisses on eyes, hair,
and lips, and murmuring her great joy.
"Oh my baby my baby y she cried
passiorateiy, while Box accepted the
caresses and tried to speak ofhis drum
and gun. .
"There they isl" be shouted at last.
Santa Claus bringed them !"
How can thank you?" said the
soprano, rising and looking from the
man to his wife. what day have
spent; walking ever since morning,
and | only stopped at your gate be.
cause was to tired to 60 on. Then
| heard his dear little voice singing
She took the chair that Mr.. Barclay
proHered, and let Mrs. Barclay unpiu
her shawl and take off her bonnet.
Where's papa? queried Box; I
want to show him these.
He went in another direction. Box
strayed away from our boarding
house while we were at church. They
had not missed him, and we started at
once in search of him.
'He has been here all day, and We
wondered at his contentment, said
Mrs. Barclay.
He is used to being left with stran'
gers, poor little fellow l cannot take
him to church.
And he is so good. How old i.
he?
-Four to-day. He was my Christ.
mas Box, and somehow he has kept
the name.
His father must be very proud o
him., said Mrs. Barclay, her features
soltening in sympathy for this worn
excited mother, who only thong ht thai
she had lost her son.
His father! my baby never saw
his father. He calls my brother pa
pa, and he loves his uncle very dear
ly, but his father died abroad, {
month before he was born
And was he an Americana
oh, yes. We met at Dresden hi
was painting there, and my brothe
and and l were working hard at mu
sic. We were married, and thel
went to Rome he took the fever Their
- Her voice sank in sobs.
And he was young?'
Twenty eight.
But baby has grandparents to low
him
No. My parents are dead, ane
my husband had not heard of his fo1
years. They had disowned him. Poo
George when he was dying he nset
to fancy in his delirium that his moth
er was with him.
Did you call him George !? saie
Mrs. Barclay in a faint voice. I ha'
son named George, and he would b.
Just thirty-two.
What was your husbands name ?
asked Mr.. Barely, with a vain eftor
TO steady his voice, which sounded
harsh and broken.
His name was George Barclay.
The office Of superintendent Of pub
lie stores at Baltim ore, held by Mr.
John Lee Chapman. salary $4,000
has been abolished by an order from
Secretary Sherman, and the duties as
signed to Mr.. Ellington Fulton, keep
er of public stores No. l.
Last Friday week in the criminal