Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-02-02
GIDEON GE!NDEMS CHRISTMAS.

H. WA, Very lonely man. this
Gideon Grind IN, in spite of all his
wealth lcarS ago he had married a
Woman much Younger than himself.
bat such Il Wouin aS one meets but
once in Il lifetime. and. having seen.
can never forget. Had She lived. he
might have been happier and better.
hnt -hr hai ilrnn dead twclv" Years.
and no other living being had filled
ltr place in ;hc merchants heart
She had left him one child. ami de
spite his col!mres. he had lavi,hcl
upon this little one a love only less
strong than that he had borne her
mother. When eighteen this girl
had married against his will poor
clerk that he had taken in his en-
ploy He had cast her off forever,
and now her name was not men
toned.
The refreshments by his side re
manned untouched, and the merchant
sat with his hands folded YEARLY.
and his eyes fixed ahsrntly on the
tire-so still. So tranquil, that one
might have thought him asleep. And
as he sat there, through the storm.
and through the closed and curtaineI
windows of the room, came the sweet
tones Of the midnight chimes. The
music of the bed filled the air, rising
and falling with the wind 1t was Il
glad and solemn song they sang. for
it was glad and solemn tale they
told; for they sang unto mon that
Jesus, the Christ child, was born.
Gideon Grindem"'
The Voice was SO soft and yet so
sweet and distinct. that it thrilled
the old merchant to his utmost sonl.
Gideon Grindcm, are you glad
that Christmas has come againN 2
The voice came from the fire, and
the merchant glanced down at the
hearth. There, standing just below
him, was strange but beautiful
figure. 1t seemed like an angel. for
ITS face was radiant with purity and
beauty. and its garments were of
spotless white.
Listen to me-" said the little
figure, softly 81 am Conscience, and
l have come to speak with you. We
have been stranger; for Il long time,
but ! have come back to You again.
1ou must hear he to night, for you
cannot drive me away until morning:
and oh. if you are wise. Gideon Grin
dem. do not drive me away then"
The merchant sat silent and
trembling He knew he was power
less and could lot take his eyes from
the little figure on the hearth. But
it was little DO longer, for it grew in
size every moment, until it assumed
gigantic form, and mcin so stern
and terrible that the merchant almost
shrleked with terror as he gazed at it.
What do you want with me?"
he gasped, when he found his tongue.
Il will show you," said the figure
very solemnly. Come with me-
The merchant felt strong arm
grasp him by the shoulder. and the
next moment he WIS being borne
through space with a speed so rapid
that it deprived him of the ability to
cry out. Suddenly there was a
pause. and he opened his eyes. He
started IN astonishment at the scene.
1t was little, plainly furnished
room. Everything b1tokened con-
tentment, although at the sanle time
an absence of riches. A woman,
neither old nor young, sat by the fire,
and at her feet knelt Il child. with his
little hands folded in prayer. The
merchant gazed at the scene in utter
bewilderment. Then his eyes grew
misty, and great sob welled up
from his swelling heart. He had
recognized the two-the boy was him
self. and the woman was his mother.
st Is terrible thing, Gideon
Grindem," said the voice of Con
science, for parent to turn from a
child"
The merchant shuddcrcd. He was
think ng of his own child, and how
he had turned from her prayer for
mercy. The figure laid its hand
upon him and drew him away. He
knew they were now in New York
again, and that they were hurrying
through the city in the midst of tho
storm. The figure led him up long
flights of stairs. until finally they en-
tered chamber, SO wretched and
mean that the merchant sLrank back
in disgust.
A tlickoring tallow dip shed a
feeble light through the room. adj
ding to its misery an hundred fold.
On a low bed a man lay, wan and
emaciated. A woman sat bv the
candle, sewing busily, her pale, wan
face seeming even more ghastlv by
the uncertain light; and on a low
pallet two children lay aslcep-for
the while unconscious Of the suffer
Ing around them. AS he gazed the
merchant saw that in spite of the
marks of care and sniferia & which it
bore. the wonan's face was wonder
fully like that Of his dead wife.
No wonder. for :he woman was hi.
daughter. A cold swea; stood OF hi
brow, and his heart seemed to sto,
still. 1t WIS fearful to stand thu,
and gaze Oh such a scene.
Gideon Griudcm pruancd. and
turning to the figure, cried implor
ingly,-
Let us go away, | cannot bea,
this scene any longer
The figure silently led him from
the room. down the long stairs. and
out into the street again. twas u,
longer night there, for the sun was
shining very brightly. and tn.
thoroughfar~s We're thronged Will
busy crowds hurying to their ac
custOmed avocations. The air wa.
Keen and frosty and the extra wrap