Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1879-12-25

moment Of hesitation, the old gentle
man explained his peculiar position.
"You see, gentleman" hesaid grad
ually resuming the attitude from
which he had been surprised by The
abrupt speech above noted. II was
prowlin round her cabling last night,
when all of sudding I heered voices
inside. The door was open leetle
bit, and by standin where was, |
couldn't miss sylefbul. | will here
EXPLAIN" he continued, thurstius his
red bandanna handkerchief into his
breast, as was his wont when speak
ing publicly, that was there for the
purpose Of fndin' out, if possible,
whether the gal was in need of any
thin | could help her to-
(Which accounts" observed by
stander, "for that choking wich was
hung up alongside the door when |
came bv, this mornin." J."
81 heerl her talkjn' with the kid, '
continued Judge Gashwiller, not
noticing the interruption, land |
couldn't help lissennen. AS nea" as
co"ld make out, the talk was like
/ this,
"When shall we see papa
"IIeayeu know, my baby. We
have songht him long, and when God
is ready, lie will restore him to US.
"ls Crismas comm soon, mamma?
"Yes, baby darling Bat there won t
be no presents for my lite one this
time. We are away from home, and
poor But when we find papa, We
will 20 where there are lots OF pretty
things, and then baby shall have
'pienty.'
Here the Judge leanel forward and
whispered IN mysterious voice, tel
ling his companions that he had heard
the mother repeat to her child the sad
story Of bow her father had goneWest
four years ago to seek his fortune
how for two years his letters contain.
ing money for her support, had come
IKE rays of sunshine through the
clouds; how they hal suddenly stop
ped, and no answers were received t.
her aaon;2ed appeals; how for two more
yeasr She bad supposed him dead; how
at last the postmaster in the little vii.
lage where she lived had upon lis dying
bed, coulesael 4 to having stolen the let
ters from her husband 50 as 20 get the
money they contained, and Suppres3t d
her missives to him, for fear Of dis.
coyery ar! how she had started out
with her little one to find the lost
husband, who had been last heard
from in Mud Flat.
All this the judge told to the few
friends he could trust, speaking in a
whisper, lest the precious secret
should be passed to others in the room
"And, now, he added, resuminq
his rhetorical attitude and voice, 81
axes yon, as gentlemen and repre-.
sentatives of Mud Flat cLivalry, shall
this gal and her Kill, being Too
poor to have Christmas Of their own
shall they so without it, or not
Remen Der, gentlemen, that kid is the
fust one rs ever came into this place,
and p raps she 3 our luck, Let us
unrter her, my friends, and let us
show her mother thet we ain t 50 lost
too virtoo an principle as not to appre
cia.e it when We hev good woman
and innercent kid amongst MS. Let
us give EN- q Crsinas. | will now
perceep to head the subscription.
So saying the gallant old man moved
the punch bow to one side, aud emp.
tied the contents Of his breeches pock,
ct upon the table. Others followed
suit, and when the last man had
placed bis contribution there the pile
contained a goodly sum.
Nov, gentlemen, some one of US
has got to take that money, ride to
| Denver, and spend it for elm. Who
shall it be
LET me be your agent, responded
a deep base voice.
Turning they saw tall stranger
standing near by,who had jast entered
in time to hear the judges call for
contributions. One or two in the room
recognized him as a miner wLo had
comp in from the diGuinos that after