The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-01-06


estlng stranger, may never be known.
But It is certain that they were astound-
ed into silence. Even Judge Gashwilder
was observed to lose his usual presence
| of mind. For instance his naturally
serene countenance wore an expression
which In another would have been mis-
taken for guilt. If the confidence which
the others had always placed in him was
trlfie shaken at that instant, II was
quickly restored when, after moments
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 prowlin'
round her cabin last night, when all of
sudden heered voices inside. The
door was open leedle bit, and by
standin' where / was 1 couldn't miss a
syllarbul. l will here EXPLAIN he con-
tlnued, thrusting his red bandana hand
kerchief into his breast, as was his wont
when speaking publicly, that l was
there for the purpose of flndin' out, If
possible, whether the gal was in need
of anything that l could help her
to-"
(which accounts" observed by
stander for that choking which was
hung up alongside the door when 1
came by this mornin'."
81 heered her talkin' with the kid"
continued Judge Gashwilder, not notic-
ing the interruption, "and l couldn't
help lissennen. AS near as could make
out, the talk was like this:
"'When shall we see papa p
CSC Heaven knows, my baby. We have
sought him long, and when God is
ready He will restore him to us.
"'Is Christmas comm soon, man.
ma 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
go where there are lots of pretty things
and then baby shall have plenty"
Here the Judge leaned forward and
whispered in mysterious voice, telling
his companions that he had heard the
mother repeat to the 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
sunshine through the clouds: how they
had suddenly stopped, and no answers
were received to her agonized appeals;
how for two more years she had suppos-
ed him dead how, at last, the Postmas-
ter in the little village where she lived
had, upon his dying-Bed, confessed to
having stolen the letters from her hus-
band, so as to get the money they
contained, and suppressed her missives
to him, for fear of discovery and how
she had started out with her little one
to find her 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, resuming his
rhetorical attitude and voice, 81 axes
you as gentlemen and representatives
of Mud Flat chivalry, shall this gal
and her kid be too poor to have a
| Christmas of her own--shall they go
without it, or not? Remember, gentle
men, 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,
and let US show her mother thet we
amt so lost in virtoo an principle as
not to appreciate 1t when we hev a
good woman and innercent kid among
us. Let us give 'em Christmas. 1
will now perceed to head the subscrip-
ton"
So saying the gallant old man moved
the punch bowl to one side, and emptied
the contents of his breeches pocket upon
the table. Others followed suit, and
when the last man had placed his con-
tribution there the pile contained a good
ly gum.
"Now, gentlemen, some one of us
has got to take the money, ride to Den
yer, and spend it for 'em. Who shall it
be ~
"Let me be your agent" responded a
deep bass voice.
Turning, they saw tall stranger
standing near by, who had just entered
in time to hear the judges call for
contributions. One or two in the room
recognized him as miner who had