The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-01-16

Christmas came, all wrapped and man.
tied in pearly snow; the mountain ridges
were softened into shining alabaster, the
somber pine thickets were thatched with
fringes Of swansdown. and Mrs. Cappel's
lonely cabin was all glowing with fire
light and warmth, while she herself. in
clean cap, trimmed with black ribbons,
sat baslxing before the blazing logs, and
Ruth Harper, with bunch of scarlet
bittersweet berries pinned into her black
hair, was dishing up the Christmas din
ner, when she glanced out OF the win
dow, and gave a little start.
"Some one is ccmingw she said,
quickly.
Mrs. Cappel stretched her neck to see.
Well, | declared" said she. "My
old eyes isn't as good as they used to be,
and the sun on the snow makes a dread
full glare, but / do believe that's our
John He's come back from the West
He's made his fortune Our John, my
son Martin only boy, as we all s'posed
was dead and buried long agow
She began to tremble all over; her
eyes filled with tears.
Don't leave me, Ruth" she faltered,
''Keep hold of my hand. For Pm very
old, and all this seems like dream"
In another minute John Cappel dashed
into the room. his heavy boots soddened
with melting snow, his brown, bearded
face flashed with the exercise of climbing
the mountain-side.
'Don't be frightened, granny" said
he, cheerily; ''it's only met And I've
fancied how this bright fresidc would
look all the way up the mountain. Why"
glancing around him, ''this is Christmas
cheer, indeedl And here is Ruth Harper
with you, looking exactly as she looked
ten years agow
''Have you made your fortune" said
Ruth, trying to smile as he wrung her
hand.
''Not bit of it," said John, with a
| great, breezy laugh. ''But I've come
into little heritage of common sense.
| I've decided to leave off mining and pros
Granny Cappels farm among the null
leins and hard-hack of the mountain
pastures. How say you, Ruth-is it
wise or not?"
every wise?" said Ruth. "Only is it
not rather late to arrive at such a con-
clusion"
'1s it?" said Cappel, wistfully. 'Is it
too late to start the world anew? Too
late to ask you, Ruth, if you will stand,
shoulder to shoulder, with me in my bat
tie with fate9 Look into my eyes, Ruth,
and answer me-"
''Dinner is ready" said the factory
girl, shyly.
''But you must give me my reply first, "
insisted Cappel, relentlessly, holding both
her hands in his.
"What shall tell him, grandmag'
said Ruth, laughing and coloring, yet
making no attempt to withdraw her
hands.
"Tell him yes" said Mrs. Cappel.
And what could Ruth do but obey
this double behest9
Ruth Harper did not go back to the
Benfeld factory. She was homeless nc
longer They built an addition to the
I-little cottage, and began life as farmer
and farmers wife. And all things pros
pered with them. A slick quarry was
started in the rocky ribs of the noun
tain, railway strobe, with seven-leagued
boots of iron, across the south end of the
farm, and in ten years John Cappel was
a rich man.
'1t was all my luck getting such q
wife!" said he, exultingly.
''It was our good luck in becoming
engaged on Christmas day." said Ruth.
And of all the holidays that stud the
year, as diamonds flash along the golden
band of bracelet, Christmas day is,
with the Cappel family, the brightest and
the best. t.--HeIeR Forrest Grdces.
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