Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-01-19


"Eightpenee night.
And you've got shilling That
don't leave much for tomorrow dinner.
The man fumbled 10 his pocket mo-
ment, and drew out half-a-crown.
Here. missus, amt often took like
this. but I've had some good tips this
Christmas. belpin' gents up to their front
doors, and thar sort of thing. You can
give it me texf time see yon.''
Tie policeman pushed the half-erown
into the woman's hand. and before she
could recover from her as,onshment. had
shuffied off. blushing TO the roots Of his
hair, and feeling almost ashamed of him
self.
The tears sprang to the weman's eyes.
She was thankful, and vet the charity Of
the kindly policeman only brought home
to her more wildly than ever the utter
misery into which she had sunk.
She watched the policeman till he was
out of sight. half inclined TO run after him
and give him his money back then. TAX
ing her child's hand. made her way a.
fast as her weak limbs would carry her
across the bridge.
A long walk lay before the weary wo-
man and her little child, but there was
shelter at the end Of the journey. She
had money to pay for the four bare wall-
which would hide her misery from the
world, and she could throw herself down
in the wretched den. and with her child
in her arms, sleep, and, for n little while
forget.
So, through the deserted streets, max
ing their way to the low lodging house AT
the West end, went mother and child that
Christmas night.
At was Christmas night in a great house
attheWest end. Midnight had struck. but in
the neighboring houses the windows were
bright with many lights. and the sound of
music and song and of merry laughter
foated now and again across the night.
In the great mansions of the West, AZ
In the lowlier dwellings of the poor. the
honored customs of Yuletide were kept.
and the season of gladness found its echo
in many jaded heart.
But in one great house silence reigncd.
No music. no laughter echoed through
the gloomy rooms, and in all save one the
lights were out.
Frank Redgrave-Lord Redgrave now,
for his father had been dead year-sat in
the great dining room, looking into the
glowing embers of the fire. his thoughts
far away. His mother, her handsome
face a reflex of the sadness upon her sons,
sat opposite to him. but neither spoke.
He had been spending the Christmas Day
with her. but ii had been gloomy affair,
He knew that the Christmas wish their
lips had formed In the morning had been
a hollow mockery.
A Merry Christmas
Merry" The great sorrow of Frank
Redgrave's life had been the death of his
young wife. He had been rescued frem
the heels of the mob to be for days uncon- |
scious, to recover and learn that among |
the charred and mutilated bodies burnt
beyond all recognition on the night of the |
fearful fire, must have been that of his |
young bride. lie had LETT her in the the
atre. and she had never been seen since. |
Many OF the corpses were unacceptable.
His poor wife was among them.
To the terrible agony which followed |
this discovery was added another. His |
mother, who came to nurse him. her heart |
relenting. sobbed out the cruel story of |
that last interview
His Nellie had persisted. believing that
she had married his life. with his mothers
harsh words ringing in her diving ears.
Mother =" he cried, rs the naughty |
woman wept beside him. II will forgive
i can never forget"
The years had come and gone. but Frank |
Redgrave had not forgotten. His boyish |
love had been sincere. He had given his |
whole heart, aud his sorrow would be life !
long. |
II was nearly six years this Christmas
Day since his poor lost darling died that |
dreadful death. and yet it seemed but yes
terday.
As mother and son sat by the fire in |
the great dining-room. the thoughts of
each were drifting to the same goal
Frank broke the silence first
Mother. he said. do YOU never think |
how different things might have been had |
she lived? You would have come to love her
in time. rs did-to know what "A true,
noble-hearted girl she was, how worthy |
to be your daughter
Lady Redgrave answered her son zen
tly. 1t did him good to talk of the lost
one, and she encouraged him. though of
ten his words wrung her heart.
They talked on. He pictured her in MS
fancy there. Perhaps-who knows p
there might have been a little child with
them to put up its baby face and kiss
grandrnamma.
but that can never be now" he sighed |
''Oh mother. mother. I'd give all the
wealth. all the blessings which are mine. |
and which hundreds would envy. to have
my poor Nellie sitting opposite me to-
night"
Lady Redgrave watched he. son anx-
iously. His constant nervous fits of mel
ancholy troubled her. She idolized her
son. He was all she had left in the world
to care for her
suddenly she lifted her head
What was that?" she said Did
you hear ii. Frank 1t sounded like
child's voice"
Frank Redgrave listened There was
child sobbing. The sound came from the
steps outside.
Presently the child spoke. The streets
We're silent and every word could be
heard.
''Oh. nanny, nanny, don't look like
that! Nanny, get up. III take YOU
home. Come, mammy-do GOMEZ
There was a groan. and then dead ST.
lence.
Lady Redgrsve rose.
Its some poor creature outside.
Frank" she said. ..She may be ILL
perhaps dying. I'll ring the bell. and