Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-01-08

but now am going TO die, and | hope
you will be happy )nee more"
"Hush, dear! do not talk SO. You
will live, and get well, and who knows
but we may yet be happy"
He shook his head. Nellie, who was
stroking his thin white hand, said:
"Where is my grandpa? If he could
see you now, papa, l am sure he would
love you"
"No, Nellie. | dare not get well. L
am slave to drink; and it is every
where to tempt ME. Your grandpa lives
in D. only ten miles away. When
am gone you must 60 to him and ask
him to forgive me?'
The day before Christmas had been
unusually cold and frosty.
"God pity the poor this day." said
good Mrs. Lathrop, as she looked down
through her frosty windows into the
icy street.
''It was bitter cold night" said her
husband, from his arm chair before the
open fire. "They are trimming the
church and lighting it. What a great
fuss all because of CUSTOM"
mo, father, all because of Christ's
love. am so thankful that he came to
earth, and taught us such precious les
sons Of love and forgiveness. | have
been thinking of our Ellen, father" she
added, with sort of half-smothered
sob.
Just then little rap was heard at the
side door, where sheltered piazza kept
out the storm. Mrs. Lathrop opened the
door. A tiny child stood there, with
great fearful eyes, on the lashes Of
which were frozen tears.
Come in, child. Who are you and
what do you want?"
The child walked straight across the
room TO where the old man was sitting,
peering around to see who the strange
intruder could be.
"You are my grandpa" she said. 81
am Ellen's little girl, and want you to
forgive mamma and papa and me-"
The old man grew very red in the
face. Then he rose and went to the
window. Soon he began pacing the
room, muttering to himself.
Mrs. Lathrop, when she heard the
child's words, clasped her in her arms,
chatting the chilled limbs and sobbing.
"Ellen's child my precious lamb and
where is she, and how came you here ~
Then in few words, Nellie told the
story. When she had learned who her
grandpa was, and where he lived, the
night before, she resolved to come TO
him.
81 told Mrs. Morris, our nearest neigh
Dor, that if mamma called for me she
was to tell her not to worry about me,
but papa is so very sick, do not think
she will"
"And did you walk all the way,
childr" said the old lady.
ooh, no; got three or four long rides
but it took me most all day." she said.
81 think | will have John to go down
to Napleton, Tonight" said Mr.. La
throp, coming up to his wife. "The
child's mother will grieve for her."
"And won't you please forgive usr'
said Nellie, seizing his withered hand
and pressing it to her cheek. "Papa
said was to ask after he was gone, bu'
| came before"
"Yes, child; and may God forgive
mel" he said, catching her in his arms,
and straining her to his breast.
A few moments later the blue eyes
closed in heavy slumber, from which
the child did not waken till long after
the sun had risen OH Christmas morn
ing.
Mean while Mapleton was in buzz OF
excitement over Mr.. Howard's strange
freaks of benevoleuce.
.'He ought to have guardian ap-
pointed, hadD t he, mamma ?" said Belle
Herman, one of the beauties Of the viii
lage. ITO think of giving that beauti-
full French doll TO so poor a child. Why
didn't he give her new dress, or send
her parents barrel of potatoes?"
she LETT that for us to do" said ber
mother. "Come, Belle, have heard a
great deal of scolding over this affair,
and am tired OF il. Ii we do not like
what another gives let us give better
ourselves. No one else, as hear, Aas
been near the new comers, though they
are sick and in trouble.
Later, OIL Christmas day, some parties,
either from benevolence or curiosity
called at the poor room which had been
Nellie's room, but il was vacant.
"a man came in a big carriage, last
night and carried them all away tbi!
morning." said Mrs. Morris. SIT II
some of that child's doings, but how Of
what don't know"
At tue home Of the Lathrops' there
was light and gladness, although th'
white hollow cheeks Of one Of the com
pany told that this was the last Christ
mas day that he would ever see upoI
earth.
"And now can die content" he said
"You all forgive the great wrong | hav'
done you. Ellen and Nellie will b
cared for, and / shall be beyond th
reach of temptation"
There was such joy and Thanksgiving
in the heart of the poor old woman tba
her face was radiant. "For the dead