Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1883-01-20

old woman. Down the grand stairway
and through the lofty halls she sped
looking neither to the right hand nor t.
the left.
She reached her home at last, dart
and dismal as to outward surroundings
bright with the memory of former joys
sacred to the memory of former sor
rows. The fire was out, the hearth was
dark. A moment later and glat
flame leaped and sparkled, the sleeping
baby was left to its fate while his
mother converted a few boarded silver
pieces that were to have bought her &
dress, into tea, sugar, crackers, hot rolls
and while the fit of recklessness was
strong upon her a pint of cranberrie'
for old times sake.
Her shopping completed, how Annie
as it were, flew home! How that de
spised turkey was forgiven for having
passed through old Huxley's hands
and tucked into an oven as warm ant
comfortable as any high.toned turkey
could desire! How the potatoes danced
and tumbled and at last absolutely
burst themselves with pride at being
allowed to participate in this most lux
uriant repasti How the cranberries
cracked and spurted in their loud de-
mand for sugar. How light the rolls
were and how strong the teal
After the dinner was well under
way, Annie had time for vigorous
putting to. rights of the disordered
room, time even to make the baby sweet
and clean, as she washed herself, in
very best dress, the pretty, old-fash-
ioned Empress cloth that had borne
with some degree of gentility the wear
and tear of the last four years.
So John came home to tidier wife,
a sweeter baby, neater room, and
grander dinner than he had dreamed
of in all the years in which he had slid
ing down hill with such discouraging
rapidity.
Then Annie asked pardon for her
unkind reception of the brown and
luscious turkey, and received it with
her pretty head hidden on his willing
shoulder, and, while in such safe retire
ment, managed to confess and receive
pardon for the mornings sins also.
If you will believe it, those poor
young married people were so taken up
n forgiving and making love to each
other that they never heard their baby
,ry, and it was great surprise when
It last they came to see their small
,hild in the arms of nice old lady in
/ nice black dress, who was kissing and
,rying over it, much as it's grandmother
,r aunt might be supposed to do.
"You blessed child,' said the old
ady, looking at Annie, "you are all
mother, so you are dear / have been
uniting for you ever since your Uncle
samuel died he never would forgive
7our poor mother for running away
With the scamp that abused and de-
erted her, and left her at last to die !
n the poor-house. Your mother was
IN angel, dear, and clung to him
Ilways- would never leave him,
although we offered her home, and
'ou also, if she only would. All, she
vas blessed woman, and you are like
Ter. DEAR" with another beaming smile.
Y on will forgive the old woman, ''she
vent on, "for this mornings trick. /
wanted to know if you were like your
ather or mother; you cannot tell how
lad | was when / heard you running
IF; | almost strangled myself holding
ny breath for you to get by me, 50 soft
nd still. If you had staid l would
ave given you money, Annie, and all
promised, for you are my sisters
hid; but could never have given you
he whole heart of love that is aching
or u,dear." Just then Annie threw
erself into the outstretched arms and
Used the quivering lips, while the
ringless fingers patted her
oft hair, oh, so lovingly!
"Of all the days of my life this is the
est" said the old lady at last, "and l
hank God for it,
"Amen!" said Annie.
And "Amen!' said John