The Newtown bee., 1880-12-15

< Be easy in your mind,'' said the stranger, laughing. ss I am no tramp. I am rather sort of f.rtune-teller. Would you like your fortune told, pretty onep"
 Jessie frowned until her pretty black brows met.
 ssNo!n said she.
 But I shall tell it. nevertheless, !" said the gentle man. You will not let Well, then, I must nahage to read the future without. in the past there is poverty and trial; in the present there is 8 mortgage clouding over your lives. :"
 How did you knowP" cried out Jessie, involuntarily.
 Didn't tell you 1 was 8 fortune teller? But l haven't said all. The cloud is destined to pass away; there is sunshine in store for you yet"
 That's all nonsenseP" said Jessie, with long breath.
 Is itp Well, we shall wait and see. And am not only 8 fortune.tsl,er, Jes- sic Petherege, am Santa Claus, too. Don't you believe meP"
 No" said Jessie, bluntly. My pack is outside, /" said the strange visitant. Here, you hackman," he called out through the open window,
 
 Jessie turned pale; her large eyes grew larg than ever. "Now he is summoning his accom- plices," she thought within herself. Now they will rush in, and shall be gagged and bound."
 But the only accomplice" who ap. peared was stout, red-faced man, laden with packages, which the problematical strane ger assisted him in unloading:
 First, turkey" said this modern Santa Claus, weighs eighteen pounds. Next, Christmas pudding, stuck all over with raisins and almonds, and bitss of holly. Next, pair of chicken pies. Next, white grapes, figs, oranges and a Christmas cake crusted three inches deep with fr0sting- Jellies, tarts, mer- of French bOnbons for the little girl that's you. Miss Jessie Now, hack man, where is the hamper packed in straw? Oh, here it is, all right. Where shall we unpack it, Miss JessieP It's 6 set of gold band dinner china for your mother, with "P" on the rims for Petherege. And there's 8 new suit of broadcloth clothes for your father. and blue silk dress and sealskin jacket for you, and-hold minute, feeling in the breast pocket of his coat-where is that parcelP It's what your father will like best of all-the deeds of the old homestead safe and sound, The mort gage is not to be foreciosed after all the money is all paid off and Paul Peth- erege is fair and square with the world again"
 II understand" said Jessie, who had grown little pale, "you are MT. Grey sonp''
 "It is you that are the fortune teller, now" said Greyson, laughing. "Yes, Miss essie, you aIe quite right. Your father-God bless him-reached out q hand to lit and help me, when all the rest of the world turned away. Had it not been for him l should most likely have been a billiard marker or 8 card sharper in the worst dens of New York. He saved me-yes, saved me, soul and body both. And when I forget his kindness, may God in heaven forget me r with an unusual huskiness in his voie-. But now, Miss Jessie, help to set the table We must have all ready before your father and mother return from church"
 And when Paul Petherege and his wife came back, through the driving snow, with sluggish footsteps and droop ing heads, 8 strange and unwonted sight met their view-the table spread with glistening double damask, and set with china, and silver, and cut glass, the tropical fruits, and the mammoth tur- key, and the unctuous English plum pudding. and the glittering pinnacles ol the ornamented cake, with Jessie's brilliant eyes, shining like stars, and MT. Greyson gravely employed in roast ing chestnuts before the fire.
 He held out both is1,hands to the astonished old couple.
 "A merry Christmas, Mir. Petherege, j said he, and many of them"
 Papa" cried Jessie, incoherently, ssae has paid eff the mortgage, and he has brought you all these things, and he has put thousand dollars more to your credit in the bank, because, he says, it is debt he owes you. And oh, papa, it isn't dream, is itp Are you quite sure we are all awakep because il seems too good news to be true.''
 And Jessie burst into tears on her fathers breast
 The old man turned to his wife wit Q quiet smile.
 "Sarah," said he, q did l not tell you that the Lord would providep And, oi all times, ought we not to trust in Hi goodness most implicitly on Christina: dayP"
 And so the stormy Christm as came and went, and left the sunshine of a great blessing on Paul Petherege's heart and home