The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-12-15

the widow Woodward's eldest son, and
carried on the farm. which was situated
nearly mile from the village.
He looked a tall, stalwart, rather
handsome fellow as he strobe up to the
kitchen fire to warm his hands.
Merry Christmasr Della called out
from the snug corner behind the stove
oven.
"Why, Della, you SO nearp" he en-
claimed. Il wish you very merry
Christmas, and that you may have lots
of presents from both Christmas trees"
"Then you have heard the news.
Bertp" Josie called out. catching his
words, rs she came out of the pantry
with plate of tarts and huge squash
pie. which she placed upon the table she
was spreading in the roomy, homelike
kitchen.
YES, Seth Blake told me-"
''Who do you suppose sent itP" asked
Della.
Hard to guess. Perhaps the mystery
will come out tomorrow night"
The matter was thoroughly discussed
by the quartette, when little later they
gathered costly around the table, the
bright wood fire swapping and crack
ling cheerily. All seemed bright and
prosperous with them, and yet a dark
shadow lay on Mrs. Woodward heart,
as she thought of the past. Before she
laid her head on her pillow that night
she prayed "Father in Heaven, care for
my poor wandering boy, if he be yet
alive, and bring him back to his home,"
the petition that had gone up nightly
for seven long years.
The brilliantly lighted church on the
hill was crowded. The warm, bright
air was impregnated with the odorous
breath of the woods, exhaling from the
wreaths Of evergreen gracefully fes-
.ooned all around, and from the two
Christmas trees, one towering loftily
above the other as they stood nearly
side by side, each laden with u richer
fruitage than they had ever dreamed of
in their forest home. The tall one was
the central point of attraction. The
bright, expectant eyes of old and young
were turned toward it. There was such
n delightful mystery surrounding it and
all had vague hopes they might be par
ticipatOrs. Professor Larry, the princi-
pal of the high school in Weston. had
been as non-committal as post, and
much annoyed at Burt Carr's prema-
ture disclosure. The most important
part, however, still remained unsolved.
There's Deacon Stebbins and his
wife, 1 declare" Josie whispered to
Della.
'.He's too feeble to get out to evening
prayer meetings" said Della.
hat 81,
turned Josie, who, though one of the
pupils of the high school, was not al
ways particular in her choice of terms.
Her mother gave her half reprov-
ing look.
Not only Deacon Stebbins. Poor over
worked Mrs. Lovett, who hadn't seen
the inside of the church for years, was
there with half dozen youthful Low
etts in queer costumes, grouped around
her, looking upon the gay scene with
hungry, shining eyes. Hiram Kimball,
a misanthropic old man, with whom the
world had gone so hard that the milk of
human kindness in his nature seemed
all dried up, had come Quito growl
over the tomfoolery," one of the young
sters in the crowd averred. Jamie
Adams, too, sat in a pew beside his mo-
Their, his crutches at his elbow, his pale
face and large, sad blue eyes, now lu-
minous with anticipation, bespeaking
patient endurance. All of these and
more were there in addition to those
who usually monopolized public gath
erings in Weston, and faint glimmer
of the light that shone around the an
gels on that Judean night so long ago,
shone into their weary hearts.
There was literary entertainment
first upon the tapis. The excited, ex-
pectant crowd were with difficulty
called to order. After music, select
readings and tableaux-all of which
passed off creditably-the important
business of the evening came on.
The master of ceremonies, Squire
Frost, stepped to the front of the plat
form and announced that the mystic
rious Santa Claus would distribute the
gifts with which the two trees were
laden, commencing with the smallest
one.
A murmur ran around the church.
The suspense was prolonged, expectancy
was heightened.
"There he is! there he isr' was re-
peated from one to another, as Santa
Claus, i'm old-time flowing white beard
and quaint, picturesque costume stepped
from behind curtain. The antiquated
attire could not disguise the outlines OF
the well-formed, manly figure, and con-
lecture was rife.
He stepped to the front of the plat
form, flourishing wand decorated with
red, white and blue ribbon. and deliv-
cred short address, in gruff, good-na-
turod tones, elicting peals of laughter,
then stepped back and began to despoil
the tree that was now shorn of much of
its interest by the tall mysterious one
beside il.
Dear, dear, Ishall be glad when he
gets through with this one. I'm so inn
patient to know who are to have all
those lovely things on the other one,"
said Josie.
At last the tree was dismantled, and
amid laughing and chatting, Santa
Claus turned to the other one.
s.Now thenw said Bert Chase