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

your stocking tonight, Tor the sake Of
old times
evil you put an apple and some dough
nuts in it, Lizzie Dolly? Well, I'll see.
Bless us if here isn't mother ~ he almost
shouted, as silver locks and sweet face
appeared at the door. Why old lady, I
never was so glad to see anybody before.
So AIMS better is she and you thought
you'd keep Christmas with your old
mana Bless your dear heart!
Lizzy had taken of the gray silk bon
net and wooden shawl, and seated hcr
mother in the old arm chair, before Mrs
Rolf noticed the extra splendor OF the
tea-table
"It's for the minister, my dear. We've
got live minister up stairs caught
him for Christmas. The deacon sent
him, he's so full, and glad enough was L,
though he didn't make up tor you, old
lady. Why here he ISL
The young man had entered softly, and
now stood by the door, like one in a
dream. ....,.s,
"Come in, sir. This is mother. Didn't
expect such good luck, for she went to
see our sick girl. I-why, what's the
matter, sir?" ...
The question was not untimely, for he
who staod by the door had turned almost
CHASTITY white, while the muscles of his
mouth twitched. 'sI.G
"Cold, amt you sir?' asked the far
mer, going toward him. "Come up 10
the fire. Llzzy, turn him cup of not
tea. I've noticed that ministers amt gin
orally warm blooded people-not like
US, I mean, who chop snd hoe, and plant
and dig -.sss
By this time the young man had near
ly recovered his composure He took
his seat at the table, asked a. blessing;
and this time his voice sounded not only
musical but tremulous, as if there were
tears very near it. But no one noticed
1t but Lizzy, who sat behind the tea urn
now, and fear, thought Of nothing but
the minister, who, in his turn seemed to
have eyes ouly for that tender, placid
face, on whose temples shone the silver
curls of beautiful old age, the face of
the dear mother.
Slope you've enjoyed your tea, SIR"
said the farmer, as they drew up to the
fire, and Mother Rolf took her Knitting
needles from the little checkered basket
on the small stand in the corner ''Bless
me, 1t does me- so much good to see
mother here! I'm that lonesome when
she's gone that feel like feather float
ing, don't know where.'
'sF'ather is 50 used to me-" murmured
mother, smiling. while the fire gave the
bloom and the look of youth to her aged
face.
'Well, yes, if forty years together
makes folks used to each ether. You see
one of the children, Ann, is delicate, and
mother has to go there sometimes; for
tell you, after all, there's no nurse like
mother. The Lord blessed us in daugh-
tiers, sir. We've got three. +.
II didn't hope to have son in nv old
age, to take care Of things gin'rally. Or
if they become something beside farmers,
wouldn't a. cared. It would "a set me
up wonderful, I expect, to have minis
ter for a son. Perhaps the Lord saw it
want good for me. I'm not the one to
blame the Lord for my own folly. III
"My boys were fine boys, but I didn't
know how to treat 'em. I was, brought
up pretty much alone, and didn't know
boy nature. Bill and Benny were bright
little fellows; handsome, too, like nv old
lady here; but I spoiled them by being
overstrict.
1t makes me ache sometimes to think
how went on with them children. Bill,
he was the wild one; I tried to bend
him, but I broke him. sir. He was quiet
enough, but too fond of his way. The
other was moro gentle, and I had great
hope of him. Mother, here, she used to
Try to soften my hard ways, but 1 had
my own ideas about governin, anil would
carry them out if I died for it. The
stick first, the stick last, and the stick
always. r. :
'There is better way" said the visit.
mo doubt of that, sir. 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 Fireplace, with
mild emphasis.
Pm 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 I was doing
right r-s.->:..
''And Benny asked the stranger.
what became Of him?" s.
"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 maryland 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 thc other one
Bill" said the old farmer, curiously.
There was no answer s