Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-12-26

of intimation that the past would be
forgotten and forgiven, would reconcile
us again, and make us both so happy"
AS he stood there, irresolute, his eye
fell upon the low roof, and sudden and
novel idea entered his mind.
1.-THE children will doubtless be pcti
tioning Santa Claus for Christmas gifts {;
and how I should like to play the part
Of the good saint in their behalf. and ia,
exceed all they could ask With my ear
to the chimney could hear all they say
and if one word of tender remembrance
reaches me | will go to her, ack know edge
my error, and bring, on this Christmas
Eve, happiness. Joy and peace to her
heart. There will ne no one passing this
lonely place, and there is no danger If
my being seem"
Possessed with this idea, and trcn
bling with excitement, he drew himself
slowly and carefully up on the wooden
palings, and from thence gained the
roof. He had scarcely secured himself
at his novel post when Eddie's sturdy
voice reached his ear followed by the
gentler accents of his little niece Then
followed short silence; and disap-
pointed and sad, he was about to vacatc
his post, when once more the soft silvery
tones came floating up:
dear Santa Claus, won't you please
bring Uncle Eddie back to mammal She
wants to forgive HIM, she cries for him
every day. Oh. dear Santa Clans, say
you will.'
The mans eyes grew heavy with ioy-
full tears, and Almost involuntlrilv. he
made the answer which had so surprised
his little niece; and then sliding noise,
lessly down, sped with rapid steps
toward the distant city.
An hour had passed, and Mrs Martin
still sat with her head bowed upon
her hands. and her mind travelling sor-
rowfully over the past. Three years be-
fore she had been happy in the love of a
husband and brother; now she was bereft
of both. A dispute, trivial in its com
mencement, had arisen between the two
men: both we've proud, high tempered,
and hasty; and although a wo,d from
her, fifty spoken, would have suhiccd to
pour oil on the troubled waters. and re-
store all to peace and harmony IL gain, i.
was withheld; and taking sides with her
husband, she added her rcproachcS and
recrminations TO his: and The war vagcl
tierccr and tiercer until in nome t Of
ungovernablc passion she b .de him clve
her house, and never darkcn her doors
again.
Bitterly had she since rcpcntel the
words when it was too late to recall
tn m, and miles separated her from the
brother she had loved so dearly And
when at the end of two years her
husband died, leaving his business
affairs SO complicated and cmbar-
rassed, that in u few months aftcrward
she had been driven to this meagcr
homo. and despite her utmost efforts
restitution stared them in the face, the
bitter sting of poverty added to her
grief and remorse, until it seemed that
life was too great burden to bear; and
her heart yearned to aching for the re-
turn OF that wandering brother. and the
soothing balm of peace and rcconci lila
ton.
"Oh. that my sweet Nellie's childish
fancies might be realized !" she muir
INJURED, sadly; "that there was some
good spirit to bear my love and repent
anca to my dear brother, and restore him
once more to my arms! That would be
blessed Christmas gift, indeed"
Even while she spoke, low knock
sounded on the door. Rising from her
seat, she drew the bolt with trembl ng
haste, and threw the door open, to be
confronted by man, muffled up so as to
BIZ unacceptable and his arms full of
bundles.
evil you allow Santa Claus to fulil
the desires of the dear little ones who
have asked in such loving faith to-
night2" he said, with grave sweetness
then stepping into the room he laid his
bundles on the table, and pushing his
cap from his brow, confronted her.
~ have come back to you, Nellie" he
said, holding out his arms; ''for from
the lips of my own dear little niece !
have heard that | am forgiven"
A low cry of JOY broke from the lips
of the widowed mother as she fell into
the arms outstretched to receive her
then, as she partly raised herself, and
looked with questioning silence into his
face, he drew her to chair, and sat
down beside her.
"Two days ago, Nellie. came back to