The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-12-25


the Den. His face was livid, his lips
twitched, he nuttered and shook from head
to foot. judged it wiser to let him pass
without disturbing him; it was easily done
the old man was conscious of nothing but
his sorrow and disappointment.
watched him out ofsight and hurried to
the Den" Georgy met me at the door
with Jenny, who was trembling like an
aspen leaf. The boy was pale, but there
was q seornful determination in his face
that augured i'll. guessed what had hap.
pened. Old Migglc and George had a
rehearsal Of the evening" ceremony, and i'll
plain terms had. terrible scene over it.
The old maa became violent. the boy,
sulcu and rebelious. With an oath and a
farewell warning as to the coming trial at
the Christmas party the grandfather left
him.
Poor little Jenny VAS speechless with
fear; Georgy was manfully cheering her up.
What could l advise?
'It'll be All right he said Grand
papa will give i'll at last, you'll see.
shook my head and, with sigh. de-
parted sorely troubled at heart by the fore
bodings I had of the evenings meeting
The guests bad arrived at the Den. =
There was an unusual array, and old Miggle
gave no sign Of his disturbed soul. Georgy
was smartly dressed and full of Importance.
Jenny was calmer now and could answer
the inquiries of her little friends as to
whether there would be Christmas tree
as usual
'Yes = cried Georgy. 81 know there's
one, for saw grandpapa last night look
ing for one in the shrubbery.
s'We are never allowed to see the tree till
all is ready and the tapers alight. Grand
papa always locks the door Of the room
and keeps the prizes a secret
turned and looked at Old Miggles l
never desire to look upon such an express
sion as lie wore again.
The dancing went on. the games pro-
ceeded uninterruptedly. Everywhere
Georgy's voice could be heard, reckless
and powerful. Old Miggle made no sign
or only once, when Georgy proposed a
game called, if | remember. Mr. Red
cap" and said:
Its jolly game It'sin 'Midslipman
Easy Won't play al it when get to
sea =
Then heard deep oath escape the old
mans lips. felt for him--this repetition
of his old disappointment must have been
a sore trial to him.
At last the hour for supper arrived.
There was a rush Of youngsters toward the
dining and Jenny, with foresight
of evil, hung back on the stairs.
Old Miggle marched silently to the door
with key in hand. His face was deathly
white.
The door opened, the supper was laid.
"Grandpapa where's the Christmas
tree?"
Here shouted the Infatuated old man.
STOPPING first, then hurting npon the table
young silver-fir tree with the earth still
thickly collected about its roots.
The guests were panc-stricken. The
children began to whimper Sir yeriuce
was about to speak, when Old Miggle con-
tinued. his voice raised to a shrek
''7Hat is all the Christmas tree you'll get
from me. you spawn Of obstinacy! Doyou
know it The tree planted when | made
you my heir, tear up now that disin-
herit youi'
Some of the guests tried to interfere;
Old Mggle shook them off. Have done
my duty by that boy? Have fed, clothed,
educated, pampered him to be nsulted for
my pains | drove his father from this
home and by Cd out he goes tonight
Mr.. Miggle, cried Sir Verjuice, you
are beside, YOURSELF"
Don't stand between me and my an
GER yelled the old man; look at that
boys face, and then ask me why | am not
beside myself False son of false father.
go and take my curse! Out of my house,
sayr
Georgy's face was pale, but there was a
hooking smile on it that was cruelty irri-
tating. Jenny had crept to her grand
fathers knees. Nothing was heard but
sobbng in the room; the visitors were
aghast.
'Oh. grandpapa. forgive Georgy. he'll
be very coed and will beg your pardon,
Won't you, Georgy?,
Old Miggle paused and looked up. Let
him beg my PARDON he said, hoarsely,
''and for your sake II forgive him."
eve done no wrong to be forgiven for
he said sulenly Il wish to be a sailor. as
my father was before me, and
Heaven help MS! What cry the old
man gave.
''Gor' said he hoarsely. "Gol hearless
whelp! Leave my housel''
'I'll go!' said Georgy eoldly. Come,
Jenny"
'.No! No" we all cried Mr. Miggle,
do reflect
'Are you all in league against me too?''
he shrieked ''Get out of my house. Boy,
from this hour you are dead TO me as your
father was and is. Go. you are no longer
my flesh and blood! l blot out your mem
DRY and tear you from my life as tear this