The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-12-24
"THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL"

on midsummer day! mat lrrepressl-
BILE boy came around. This time he had
tempting fruit, and begged him to find
my husband. A lady at my side said:
EXCUSE me; but do you carry purse
when you travel?'
''Never, when with my husband
"Let me tell you story
s'Thanks."
And this is what she told me, and I do
not doubt its truth:
my husband was thirtv-fve and I
country girl Of seventeen when we were
married. Our bridal tour was to end on
Christmas at his fathers, in Boston. We
took boat from New York. The steamer
was elegant, and, having shown me to
my stateroom, he stepped out. I went
back to the cabin, read little, watched
my travelling companions great deal,
wondered what friend he had found on
the boat, until supper time came and he
did not. The cabin. maid asked if l
were going to supper. I said, when my
husband comes for me- She went to
the office. Inquiry was made; there
was no such man on the boat. Then
came the captains request that should
SHOW my ticket had none! Would
l please pay my tare?' I had not one
cent! Farther inquiry; there was GER
talnly no such man on the boat, I be-
gan to cry.
" That won't do, my little girl (She
was very small) "We've seen too much
of that. Pay your fare, or I'll put you
off,"
"I had bright thought. MY trunk
is here
"'Show it to me, if you please
And he went with me to the baggage.
l pointed it to him triumphantly. Your
key, is you please
my husband locked it and has the
key but you may break the lock-"
4" The owner of the trunk may object
"'Itis nsne'
"Look here, little girl, you are not mar
ried, shall put you ashore at the first
landing. Go home, and behave yourself
in future"
EVERY drop of blood in my veins boil
ed, and yet must bear it because had
not tive-dellar bill by me! never be-
fore dreamed of the depreciation of pow
erty.' He turned away, and I sat down
on my trunk. 1t was mr. own. It would
tell OF my Innocence and truth, if he
would let it. So, too, would all the pre-
sents we had so carefully selected for the
dear ones at home. I could have put
my arms around it and kissed it. I only
asked to be allowed to sit upon it all
night. Wouldn't he just let me do thats'
1T was the worst question I could
have asked. Il presume you'd like to be
lett here. Go straight to the ladies' cab
in, and don't you leave it until put you
off the boat
~ arose proudly and walked to the
cabin without q glance at him. I would
not cry until could get to my state
room. But when came to the dool it
flashed upon me, I Aace no stateroom. I
hal no spot of my own, no baggage, no
friend, no character--even the black cab,
in-maid was whispering about memo
husband-where was he? Where couzd he
bes He must have fallen overheard! I
never should see him again and should
be put off in the night, in strange place,
without cent of money to buy lodg-
ing, or even sheet of paper and three
cent stamp! And Christmas morning
when all would be watching for the hap
py bridal party, where should we beg
where ,oas he? I grew frantic. I believe,
now was on the verge of insanity,
remember feeling sure he had fallen over
board md was drowned, and that if left
on a wharf, would 60 and spend Christ
mas with him. often shudder, even
now, when think what might have
been driven to. I only know the dark
fright and horror of that hour.
"Onc of these little ores, whose angels
do always behold the face of the Father
came and put her hand in mine and ask
ed why cried so hard, aud told her.
Said she, Hes dead, just as my man.
ma is, and I'll tell papa And she went
to HIM, and I could not doubt but, soft
ened by his own great sorrow aud his
sweet child's pleadings, he would help
me. But saw him shake his worldly
wise head and heard HIM say, 'She is cry
ing too hard, too publicly and I rushed
into the state-rcom; mine or not-l must
hide the sobs could not check.
"Then came athought-One there was
even on that awful boat, who knew all;
and I dropped on my knees and simply
said, PITY me, pity, dear Savior. Sdoe,
or perish ? and said these words over
and over again. The loving little girl
had not been convinced, and came and
peered through the glass and made her
father look, and then she came in, and