Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-12-25

Cttllle al lASC.
Charles ship might be expected
about the end of December; so early
In the month went to spend fort
night at the Grange, intending to re-
turn to town week before the Hecla
was due. / had been there about q
week, and was counting the days in q
state of feverish happiness as they
passed slowly but surely by, and tho
period OF my happiness grew nearer
and nearer.
It was my Birthday, I remember,
and in q day or two after l was to
leavef for town. Wehad merry party
assembled to celebrate the event, and
many were the presents I received,
and many were the good wishes show
cred upon me that evening as they all
drank my health at supper in the old
| dinlng-room.
"Ah, Nellie, DEAR" sad Uncle Aus
ten, eve must make the most Of you
now, for it is the last Christmas you
will spend as Miss Charters, so we
had better say sood-by to you now
forever in that character
How often since then have recalled
those words-wOrds SAID in Jest, but
which were to become SO fraught with
terrible meaning!
At any rate, they were true
| words; the Nellie Charters Of that
night they indeed said good-by to for
ever.
My aunt followed me up stairs, as
was her custom, in order that we
might have one of our usual onversa-
tons before retiring tor the night.
We talked longer that night than we
had ever done before. had so much
to tell of my future plans and the
hopes expected SO soon to be fulfill
ed.
GLOW comfortable it all looks" she
remarked, as at length she arose from
her chair. "Iou have certainly laid
the ghost Nellie dear, and we ought to
emuch obliged to YOU"
Then we wished each other good
night, and she left theroom. After the
door had closed upon my aunt, l still
sat dreamily gazing into the fire. NV
spirits appeared suddenly to sink, and
felt strangely cold, as if had Just
heard some terrible news. I tried to
rouse myself by walking up and down
the room. even laughed, and tried
to hum a tune to shake off, as hoped,
my unaccountable nervous feelings;
but it was nogood. My laugh sounded
orced and unnatural, and the song I
lddenly recognized as one Charlie was
ways whistling the last time we were
sether, and somehow that made me
N more dismal Then I took out
letters which never before failed to
me comfort.
shall soon see him; he will behere
,s than q fortnight" l kept on
ing to myself. But somehow
Sc Of the words did not seem
my brain.
arose and went to the win
drew aside the heavy crimson
and looked out.
non was just at the full, and
. .~~- sparkled with snow, while
tretched their gaunt, snow
:hes toward the sky, like
IONS in some wild German
h looked so calm and
the soft veil OF moon
my heart was throbbing
:east, and alone felt
my with nature, and
1less of the cold, until
II of the little village
he quarter to -, the
gin the calm, still air.
tppy Christmas words:
Sod on high; and on
q will to men," came
Sth the chime of the
I'd from the window,
ide my bed prayed
earnestly even than
afety of the one loved
some time, watching
kering on the walls,
@,re especially, it ap-
n my dear mother s
lng opposite my bed.
emed to smile at me
NAMED so l have no
}awakened by what
footsteps passing
+, and the feeling as
topping over me.
sr, and then g. cold
IS my face, and 1
name murmured,
y, gasping Sigh.
ie'svoice!
';but I sat up in
ID again l heard
but the tones