Sharp County record., 1880-01-29

whom he had killed with his neglect and
growing sordidness, the others the
Graves of the twins-his twins-who' TOR
The want of mothers care, had speedily
followed her.
"Alice. Alice! come back!' shouted
old Bullion in agonized tones, but the
only response was the mocking roar OF
the wind in the chimney, and with
feeble groan the miserable old man
arose and slowly paced the ROOM :,
"Joshua Bullion" said still, small
voice, that seemed to come from the air
above him, and caused him to stop,
trembling with fear. "Joshua Bullion,
YOU have wantonly and wickedly wasted
the opportunities that have been given
YOU: YOU deserve the severeSt punish
ment, but you have last chance offered
YOU to make amends for your selfish,
wicked life Go forth and spend your
talents and means in alleviating the Sut-
ferings of others, extend the warm hand
of charity and friendship to your fellow
men, and practice in your daily life the
warm, kindly feeling of this Christmas
season, when there should be naught
save peace on earth, good will tomen. "
81 will, l will" cried old Bullion,
and bowing his head he shed the first
tears that had dimmed his eyes since he
left the old Granite State. Wept long
and bitterly, but these hot, scalding
tears washed many bitterness from his
heart, and softened it as it had never
been before.
CHAPTER III.
Merry Christmas season. Making the
blood leap quickly through veins, and
warming the hearts of even the most
phlegmatic of mortals. Sacred Christ
mas season, that gave us a blessed
Savior from our sins and woe. Wei
come, Christmas season, that makes us
better, purer, and happier, and fills our
hearts with loving kindness
Beautiful Christmas season, too, on
this bright winter morning. The snow
Law like robe of ermine white on the
payements and roof, and hung like
/ feecy clouds on the trees in the park.
The sleighs dashed along, their bells
ringing out clearly and merrily on the
frosty air, and the snow flying like a
milky foam in their wake. Even the
ragged newSbOys seemed to be infected
with the spirit of the season, aud
laughed joyously as they blew on their
frosty fingers, or scampered away after
some distant customer. Little Tim
Wilkins tottered over to the grocer'S on
the corner to purchase his Christmas
dinner. Poor Tim looked wistfully at
the plump, fat turkeys hungi in tempting
row before the door, and sighed as he
passed the little shop in whose window
he saw many articles very much needed
by SuSy, but his pocket-bOOk was scanti-
ly lined that morning, and, gloOmily
purchasing few necessary groceries,
he hurried home.
But he was determined to make as
much of the day as possible, and there
fore he sat himself to work to make a
potpie, just such a one as his mother
used to make at home; while Susy
watched him from her bed with glad
some, tender eyes. Rap, rap, rap.
Some, one at the door. Tim opens it,
and in straggers an expressman under
a load of bundles such as had never en-
tered Tins dwelling at any one time
before.
"Haven't you made mistaken"
asked Tim
"This is Tim Wilkins's house, is it
not?" asked the man; and, being an
swered in the affirmative, continued:
"Then there amt no mistake. These
things are for you," and disappeared
before Tim recovered from his surprise
sufficiently to question him.
And what a collection of good things
there was in those bundles! A turkey,
two chickens, some flour, some butter,
some sugar, and spices, and jellies, and
fruits, and a score of other things, until
it seemed to the amazed book-keeper and
his family as if tax had been levied on
all the fruit stands and bake-shOps
and grocery stores in the city, to furnish
them. Scarcely had these things been
examined, however, than there was an
other rapping at the door, and another
lot of bundles, and another surprise.
And this time there was a nice warm
OvercOat for Tim, and dress for Susy,
and a shawl for the nurse, and two little
red pairs of shoes for the twins, and
host of good things for them all.
There was a great stamping and clat-
ter at the door, and in come old Bullion.
This was the greatest surprise of them
all, and Tim turned pale to hear that
he was discharged from the bank. But,
instead, old Bullion, putting and blow
ing, slapped Tim on the back so heartily
as to instantly settle the poor fellows
breakfast, and cried out in hearty
voice, "The father of twins, sir, the
father of twins, sir! Bless you, sir,
a Merry Christmas, sir" and he paused,
painting with the violence of his recent
exercise, and mopping his face with his
handkerchief.