Sharp County record., 1881-01-13

Christmas, without saving word he
Just sent Mrs. Frank q letter and beg
ged her, for her husbands sake, and
for the sake of his old father, who
never'd known happy day since he
turned his boy away from him, to come
and take possession of what was her
own, as it would have been her hus-
bands and he alive. What with the
letter and Miss Alice urging her, for
the children's sake she consented. And
tonight they went, sir. They've been
trimming a big tree at the house for
them little ones. And old MIR. Chaun-
cey he has been as eager as q boy and
Miss Alice couldn't make it nice enough
to suit him. Last night when l was
passing he come to the door. Joe,
says he, taking hold of my hand, God
bless you, joey 1t isn't for me to tell
what more he said, but as for giving
up watching my houses as I've taken
care of this many years, l couldn't DO
it-not till | am forced to, sir. But II
I'd been dressed in purple and fine
linen | couldn't felt prouder nor hap
pier than l did when he spoke to me
that way.
"When Mrs. Frank and the children
were coming, it seemed as if the old
man couldn't bear it, after all; and up
he went to Master Franks old room,
and there he staid. But when they got
there, what did Miss Alice do but take
the little chap-he was dressed in a
little black velvet suit, with a plaid
scarf over his shoulder, just such as
Master Frank used to wear-and lead
him up to where his grandfather was,
She Just pushed open the door and put
him inside, and came away as fast as
she could. They waited and waited,
and Miss Alice she wanted to light the
tree; and that youngster didn't come.
So she told David to 90 and get him.
When David went he saw little Master
Frank sitting on his grandfather knee,
right there in his fathers old room,
and the old man was crying like a baby;
and that boy he was patting his cheek
with his little hands. When David said
Miss Alice was lighting the tree, the
little fellow jumped to go; but his
grandfather he seized hold of him, and
said, quite calm like, that he'd 90, too.
So down they went, the old man and
the boy, hand in hand. David couldn't
stand it no longer, sir, and out he came
to talk to me. And now they're all
there together, God bless em, and
there's rest in the big house tonight
such as there hasn't been this many
year, because the right thing has been
done at last"
We were again opposite Mr.. Chaun
cey's mansion. The bright lights were
extinguished, and the calm moonlight
flooded its silent front. Both of us
were so absorbed in thought as not to
notice the approach of gentleman,
until he laid his hand familiarly upon
the old Watchman's arm. was amazed
at the strange expression that came
over the old mans face, but still more
was | startled at his sudden eXclama-
ton.
"Master Frank!' said he, in hoarse
whisper.
Joe" said the stranger, eagerly,
"tell me, for Gods sake, are my wife
and children in my fathers house? 1
have traced them there, but | cannot
believe it,"
Eyes, my boy" answered Joe, :" they
are all there together. The Lord be
praised for this night of peace and for
giveness"' '
With one bound the young man was
at his fathers door We heard the
heavy night bolts drawn back, and the
figure of the old butler appeared in the
doorway. Instinctively we turned away,
and walked down the street. At that
moment midnight chimed from a neigh
boring church tower, and merry peals
of bells rang out a welcome to the glori-
Gus Christmas morn.-Harper's Weekly