Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-12-26

up E5IcICy uuCu h1Ouc, duu uluQ KNOW
boy nature Bill and Benny we're bright
little fellows; handsome, too, like my old
lady here; but spoiled them by being
overstrict.
It makes me ache sometimes to think
how went on with them children. Bill,
he was the wild one; I tried to bend
him, but broke him sir. He was quiet
enough, but too fond of his way. The
other was more gentle, and I had great
hope of him. Mother, here, she used to
Try to soften my hard ways, but l had
my own ideas about governin,' anil would
carry them out if l died for it. The
stick first, the stick last, and the stick
always.
"There is better way said the visit
or.
mo doubt of that, SIT. Why, do you
know, when them boys was planting
with me, the minute they'd begin to
talk I'd stop 'em. NO talk while at
work that was my motto. No wonder
they rebelled no wonder they hated me-"
'They didn't hate you, father" came
from the corner Of the fire. place, with
mild emphasis.
"I'm afraid they did, old lady, and I
can't say wonder. They loved each 9TH
er, them two boys. If one was whipped,
and that was gin rally Bill. the other
would stick to him through thick and
thin. I've known little Benny to get on
his knees to me for his brother. Well"
and he sighed painfully, ''God forgive
me. He knows I thought l was doing
right
"And Benny asked the stranger,
what became Of him2"
"Ah, sir, Christmas is something sad to
me. Benny was growing up to be our
joy and pride-seventeen years old, sir, a
fine, manly fellow-when he was brought
home five years ago to-day. by three men.
In this room they brought MIN, sir, stark
and dripping, on this very night, as it
were. A weary, weary Christmas that
was, with his dear dead body in the next
room. As full Of health and fun he was
when he went out to skate with the little
girl he hoped to marry-and-that's the
way he came home. There was soft
place on the ice. She was just saved, poor
thing! A good, good lad he was. He's
gone to Heaven. He never give us scarce
any trouble, from his babyhood.
You don't ask after the other one
Bill" said the old farmer, curiously.
There was no answer.
"BiIl was the one broke, and the boy
got to hate me. Yes, he did, old lady,
and I'm not going to blame him, either.
l see things with clearer light now.
One day beat him for telling me false
hood, as thought. He didn't, though;
I found that out afterwards"
The old farmer shook his head sorrow
fully; and his pale blue eyes grew dim.
ON never forget how he turned upon
me at last. Says he, You'll be sorry for
this some day, father. You've always
been unkind and unjust to me, and I
won't submit to it any longer"
"What! Child of mine to talk to me
that way! Why, don't know but what
If I hadn't been sort of paralyzed for a
minute, and had got hold of him, I'd a.
killed him, I was that mad. I don't
wonder you shake your head; but they
say an open confession is good for the
soul. Mother, dear heart, she pleaded
and prayed, but vowed I'd beat HIM
again for that bit of lnsolence.
swell, sir, I never got the chance.
That happened on Christmas, too. Lizzy
was baby then. Yes, that mornin' I
found Christmas present from Bill
he'd spent all his earnings for three
months, Ben told me, to get it-but
there wasn't no Bill" the voice faltered.
"He left a letter-and IN that he said
good by-to all of US, even to old Susie,
out in the stable. You'll excuse me-.
anc the horny hands fumbled for hand
kerchief; II thought I could tell the
story-but some how-I-can't."
Mother Rolf had turned her face away
to hide the two slow tears falling from
eyes that had often wept. Lizzie was
looking out of the window, perhaps at
the moon.
The minister sat like a statue, arms
folded on his breast, lips fastened togeth-
er, eyes fixed as if-upon some vision
that troubled him, but the folded arms
heaved up with the deep chest breathing.
There, I'm through now" said the old
man, hoarsely, heav1ng q great sigh
"there amt much more to tell. We'd "a
given every thing we owned that day to
have his blue eyes back. Turkey went
for nothing. Benny was broken hearted.
There, there, don't cry, old lady! You
are home this time, and we've got good
company to help make merry.
"Dut there's little more to tell, young
man. I must clear it all up now, and
don't think harder nor you can help OF
me. The Lords forgive me, trust. Bill
wrote me about year after. from the
West; said he was doing we'll. I dare
say twas good enough letter, but some.
thin IN it riled my anger, and, though !
meant to forgive him, I thought of how
I might make him more sorry. I wrote
him that his mother was dead twas aw-
iul, wasn't it2 I'll never, never forgive
myself for that. Don't try to stop me,
old lady. I'll own up the whole, now
that I've begun. I don't wonder you
look at me, sir. l did think he'd write
me another letter; and when I wrote to
him again, stranger sent me'word that
he'd gone-and there was what my cruel
will did for me. was mad; my mind
must have been crazed. But 1t humbled
me, sir; and who knows but God may re-
quire that poor boys soul at my handsi
not only took his home, but his mother
from him.
III think III go upstairs" said the
minister, rising abruptly.
"Ah, sir, you're sorry you come to stay
with one who has done 80 wrongr'
"No, ne; don't think Of it Here is my
hand" and he hurried from the room
The little family dispersed in silence.
A bright glorious sunshine and blue
sky greeted Christmas Day. The strang
or came down stairs all smiles.
Happy Christmas, sir!" cried the
farmer; Happy Christmas, old lady Jusl
please to step this way. Here's oul
stockings that the child put up. Why
Lizzie, Lizzie, bless your heart, tee'r.
nothing but children, after ALL There's
yours and mine, and one for the minis
ter. How fat they are! haven't laughed
50 hearty tor twenty Christmas morn
ings;' and he proceeded to pull Out the
contents. ..,
'sDoughnuts, old lady-and-here-
why, Lord help me, here's q pocket-book
and q fifty-dollar bill in it! And here's 8
letter! Where's my specksf You read it
mother" ~-'' '7~ - .
"Dear father" begansthe old lady,
"Oh, it's from our. daughter in New
York! There's where the money come
lfrom-and" Suddenly he turned pale
as the first few lines were read. 5.s b
sWhat, from Bill my bnyl Our boy
lod lady that good nothing blessed
rascal No mother he Game forward
with shaking hands 50 can % gooi
II