The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-12-23
MARKS RETURN.


cloth spread over Farmer Hurst's ia
BILE, loaded with all good things for the
of relatives and friends
that usually spent Christmas Day be-
meath his hospitable roof.
1--WE know where the best dinner is to
be had" exclaimed Nellie Maxwell, Mr..
Hurst's niece, with charming little
laugh, as she kissed Aunt James cheek.
"And we're sure to meet everybody
we love-" put in plump little Jennie
Wiseman.
mot quite everybody" sighed Aunt
Jane. =.
"No," said Nellie, quickly; .'and I
to ask you if uncle is still hard
and unforgiving"
Eyes, not the least sign of change; he
has forbidden us all to speak Marks
name in his presence. Oh, my boy! my
absent boyr' moaned the mother, bury
ing her face in her gingham apron.
But how can we pass over Christ
mas without Mark? / am not afraid Of
Uncle Luke, and mean 10 ask him."
Don't Nellie! Oh, please don't make
the attempt! II will only cause a
Storm"
But Nellie Maxwell shut her red lips
firmly, and with the soft flush in her
cheeks deepening, and the beautiful
light in her eyes growing brighter, she
sought her uncle.
.'Uncle Luke, ] have something to
ask you"
Eyes, my dear" and he looked at her
with kindly smile.
1--WE want you to forgive Mark"
Brave rs Nellie imagined herself to
be, she was hardly prepared for the an
cry flash in the farmers eyes, or the
cruel things he said.
How dare you speak his name in my
he Numbered.
'.Oh, uncle-dear uncle, must speak
his name. Though YOU drove him
from home, you cannot Danish his men,
DRY from our hcariS---nOt even from
your own, hard as you try to make US
believe it,
'.Go To the house child, and trouble
me no longer. ! never forgive" and
Uncle Luke stalked grandly away, while
Nellie. with tiny wrinkle between her
eyes, returned To the house.
Il knew il would he no use,'' said
Aunt Jane, sadly, when informed OF
what had passed.
But what did Mark do that was so
pleaded someone that was
not informed of the family trouble.
He wanted to go TO New York." ex-
planned Mrs. Hurst, land seek his for
tune there, while his fathers wish was
that he should succeed him in the farm
here. That is all; but they quarreled,
and he went away in anger when his IA
Their ordered him from his sight It's
nearly year ago and home has never
been home since 10 me. and l don't be-
lieve il has to father. if he would ac-
knowledge the truth. We never heard
from Mark afterwards"
But preparations went on for the
grand dinner, and when all was in read
mess, the table fairly groaned under its
load Of good things.
When all were seated, before word
Of the grace could be offered, or q
Of the dainties tasted, Nellie,
her sweet face a triile paler than usual,
arose, and in voice that trembled u
little, said:
Uncle Luke. we have all entered in
to little compact. Our good dinner is
ready, but we cannot partakc of il while
one we all love cannot share it, and re-
mains unforgiven. You need not look
black; anger will avail you nothing, for
unless YOU forgive your absent son, We
will not eat one moU,hful of this repast,
nor give forth one prayer of thanks.
We, who love Mark and love you, de-
clare this
Mr.. Hurst was thunderstruck; he
looked around with flashing eyes upon
his nieces and nephews, aunts and cous-
ms. He saw his wife's pale, fearful
lace. her heaving breast and clasped
hands. Every face at that table looked
grave and determined. Somewhere
back in the distant past of another
Christmas Day he heard merry voice
say: "Let me carve the beef; father
must not do it ALL" Strange he should
hear the words so plainly. Where,
alas! was that strong young voice-that
merry laugh? His handsome, spirited
boy. Forgive him! why, he had forgiv-
en- him long ago, only he was too proud
10 acknowledge it.
Again he glanced over the table. All
we're silent, their eyes upon their plates;
At the far end, Nellie stood, her cool,
lnfiinching eyes, as they met his own,
brought to his obtuse heart memory
Of other days.
Once more he glanced at his wife
how pale; and wan she looked! Poor
mother! grieving for her boy, and
She would grieve no more. Slowly,
rs if casting aside heavy weight, he
arose, and in husky voice offered fer
vent thanks for the bountiful repast,
and the kindness of those who had
shown him his sinful anger; then added
II its close, prayer for the absel.t son.
whose return he hoped might be soon.
When he sat down, there was not a
Try eye at the table. But, while they
yet fingered at his side, voice outside
-ang out sharp and clear. The door
lew open with bang and Mark Hurst
stood before them, taller, ruddier, hand
,omer than of old.
christmas wasn't Christmas any
place else than home! Father, you'll
orgive me, won't youP There, mother,
lon't cry, please
And Mark found himself surrounded
by host of friends, all eager for a
,lasp of his hand.
lit is l who should ask forgiveness.
'ather," said his father. Il drove you
lway"
mo, no! it was all for the best. 1
vas growing headstrong and spoiled
With your patience, and mothers pet
ing. went out and found the world
handled fellow little differently; but
I've made my way; found work to do.
md good friends, though none so dear
Is those / left"
II knew it." murmured Aunt Jane
Il knew my boy was brave and true"
'.Like his father" laughed Mark.
With a roguish look at the happy, proud
I'D man.
Later, when the evening games be-
ran, Mark drew Nellie away from the
and whispered:
Gould you manage to exist on
thousand dollars a-yearP-because it's
,ard on a fellow to have no home
and"
But the happy, tender light in Nellie's
eyes was answer enough, and, as he
Kissed her red lips, he whispered CRATE
uly: =
THE happiest Christmas of my lifen'
n 81 4