The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

aNe'NAAA HAfNuf hAtNA AHbuuNbA
hesitation, the old gentleman explained
his peculiar position,
"You see, gentlemen, he said, grad
ually resuming the attitude from which he
had been surprised by the abrupt speech
above quoted, "l was prowin' round her
cabin last night, when all of sudding
hetred voices inside. The door was open
a eetle bit, and by standin' where | was
| couldn't miss a syllerbul | will here
explain" he continued, thrusting his red
bandana handkerchief into his breast, as
was his wont when speaking publicly, shat
| was there for the purpose Of fndin' out,
If possible, whether the gal was in need Of
anything that could help her to"
(which accounts, observed bystand.
er, for that CHECKING which was hung up
alongside the door when came by this
mornin',
81 heard her talkia with the kid, con.
tinucd Judge Gashwilder, not noticing the
interruption, 'and couldn't help lissen-
nen. As near DO could mako out, the
talk was ike this
"When SHAH We sec papa ?"
"Heayen knows, my baby. We have
sought him long, and when God is ready
He will restore him to us
SIS Crismas comm soon, mamma p
"Yes, baby, darling. But there won't
be no presents for my little one this time.
We are away from home, and poor But
when We find papa we will 50 where there
are lots of pretty things, aud then baby
shall have plenty
Here the Judge leaned forward aud
whispered in mysterious voice, telling
his companions that he had heard the
mother repeat to her child the sad story
of how her father had gone West four
years ago to seek his fortune; how for two
years his letters, containing money for
her support, had come like rays of sun
shine through the clouds; how they had
suddenly stopped, and no answers were re.
ceiycd to her agonized appeals how for
two more years she had supposed him dead;
how, at last, the Postmaster in the little
village where she lived had, upon his dy.
ing bed, confessed to having stolen the
letters from her husband, so as to get the
money they contained, aud suppressed her
missiyes to him, for fear of discovery; and
how she had started cut with her ittle 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 whisper, lest
the precious secret should be passed to
others in the room.
"And now" he added, resuming his
rhetorical attitude and voice, IL axes you
as gentlemen aud representatives of Mud
Flat chiyalry, shall this gal aud her kid,
being too poor to have Christmas of their
own-shall they go without it, or not
Remember, gentlemen, that kid is the first
one as ever came into this place, and
p'raps she's our luck. Let us nurtur her,
my friends, aud let us show her mother
that We amt so lost to yirtoo an principle
as not TO appreciate it when We hev good
woman aud a innerceut kid among us.
Let US give 'em Christmas. will now
perceed to head the subscription.
So saying, the gallant old man moved
the punch bowl to one side, aud emptied
the contents Of his breeches pocket upon
the table. Others followed suit, and when
the last man had placed his contribution
there the pile contaiacd goodly sum.
"Now, gentlemen, some one of us has
got to take that money, ride to Denver,
and spend il for 'em. Who shall it be r.
"Let me be your agent, responded a
deep bass voice.
Turning, they saw tall stranger stand.
ing near by, who had just entered in time
to hear the Judges call for contributions,
One or two in the room recognized him as
a miner who had come iu from the dig
gings that afternoon, having found it too
cold to work longer in the mountains.
They were inclined to resent the inter.
ference of an outsider, probably would not
have needed his request had he not spokep
a second time. Drawing near the table,
he said
"Gentlemen, | was once married man
myself, but my wife, God bless her, is dead.
For the love | bear her memory, for the
affection have toward the remembrance
ofmy little one buried with her, | ask you
to lot me aid 10 this matter"
The sadness in his voice and face was
SO sincere, aud the utility Of sending a
man who had "been thar, aud knowed
what wimmin folks would like presented
ITSELF so fayorably to the miners that with
but little hesitation they allowed him to do
as he wished.
In an hour he was gone, aud the settle.
ment was lost in speculation as to what he
would bring back for the strange lady and
her child.
The morning Of December 18th dawned
crisp aud cold The fresh, biting air Of
the mountain raced among the trees right
merrily, whiskiug the snow into little
wreaths, aud irolicking among the branches
with real holiday gayety. II was nearly
noon when the stranger rode into camp.
loaded with bundles. At the Magnolia he
met nu eager crowd Of miners, who. head.
ed by Judge Gashwilder, were soon on the
road to the strange LADY, cabin. Arrived
there, they felt sudden hesitation about
entering. II was like intruding upon
some sacred ground, aud they were almost
tempted to deposit their bundles upon the
threshold aud fiy
"You take the siuf,' said the judge.
TO the stranger, "and 50 in fusi, You've
bin familiar with wimmin, and know how
to handle EN-. Wen wait outside"
But the stranger felt the same hcsi,a.
ton. Perhaps his long absence from fem.
inine society made him bashlul Perhaps
q thought Of the memory hc rcvered caused
him to hold back.
Finally the Judge consented TO take
the lead, aud, doIiag his hat, knocked
softly. The door was opened BY the
child, who bade him enter Beside ,ho
fire sat the mother, who roae 20 meet them.
All passed in but the ssraugcr who stood
outside.
Marin, said llie Judge, who some.
how had lost his usual ease Of speech and
gesture, "we--ihat Is, the ciiizens Of Mud