Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-01-07

tears that welled unbidden. A bent
and crippled man, limping on crutch-
es, had assisted by strong armed
neighbors been propped comfortably
in his leather covered library chair,in
that home where his Uncle Orsic had
died blessing him.
Col. Hendrikson's furlough was in
definitely extended. He would sit
for hours together, musing over the
events that had caused his name to
be honorably mentioned with those
highest in military authority. When
the big official document came by
mail from Washington city, announc-
ing his promotion for gallantry on
the field of Chickamauga, his eye kim
died with the old enthusiasm.
On New Years day, 1864, Gen.
Hendriksen, in his new uniform, stand
ing erect without his clutches, and
with only a perceptible halt in his
step, received his good neighbors in
the house with the double bay win
dows and real stained glass.
Months rounded into years. Old
war wounds were cauterized with the
tears of loving sympathy. Waste
places blossomed. The angel of
peace spread it's white wings over
nation tried in fire, and which had
triumphantly burst the doors of its
seething furnace.
There was another railroad at FL
shore, and new and more spacious
platform Gen. Bertel Hendriksen
was president of the company. He
was now on the shady side of fifty,
with whitening hair and beard; yet
his form was unbent by increasing
wears and his voice had lost none Of
it's musical cadence.
sMamma," said little Osric on the
evening of the last day of the third
wear since his fathers death, ''we are
going to have splendid time to-mor-
row !"
"Why SOP" asked Christine, looking
up from treasure box that lay open
in her lap.
because it is New Years. Then
I am five years old, grandpa says,
and we are to have a tiptop sleigh
ride before dinner"
ssYou and grandpa, said his moth
er listlessly.
ssAll of us, mamma replied U.s.
ric. 'sIt won't be any fun if you ano
grandma don't go. | don't believe
YOU care for New Years one bit"
"Why, Osric p exclaimed Mrs
Robinson, chow can you think so
1t is the anniversary of my darling
birth, and to me the most precious
day of all the year, save one
Here she sighed and gazed intent
ly at a miniature in her hand. L
was the portrait of handsome, dark
featured man, whose eyes were won
derfully like Osric's.
"Oh, mamma" cried the boy, ''le
me see poor papa again y
The picture was handed to him
After kissing it, the little fellow said
''Mamma, my grandpa is a goo
man. He never blames my dear, dea'
papa, but he says he was brave an
true to what he thought was duty.
love my grandpa more than eve
now"
Christine caught the boy to her be
som and they wept together-th
child in sympathy with his mother
. gratitude or distress, he couldn't tie
: which.
The day and the ride were spler
did. as little Osric had promised. y
reaching the new railway station Ger
> Hendriksen told his driver to stop
{ few minutes, as he had business
the company's office. While his CRANE
pa was inside the building Osrlc b.
came greatly interested in tall an
u distinguished looking man, who, pa
~ ing the platform wrapped in a heav
; fur trimmed top coat, was evident
IL waiting for the train. At last I'll
IL gentleman turned and looked at Il
sleigh and it's passengers. Then
~ resumed his measured walk.
|, Osric climbed nimbly down fro
~ his perch beside the driver and I;
towards the stranger.
y you're my papa, and you are n
~ dead and never was. Come over
10 mamma and grandma. That's them
y said the little boy, pointing to t
=" sleigh.
II "Merciful heaven" he cried,
oo all comes back out of the shadow
As Nv long, long dream is true! l
% home at last, thank God y
The wondrous story flew like pr
IT. RE fire through the village. Cal
Oh Jack Robinson, living, in Elsine
was made social lion. Gen. HI
* driksen had found a son and his dt
ny Christine's widowhood was endt
Mrs. Hendriksen's boy that was i
re- had come home again. Osric's fail
'ep felt parents joy. 1t was, as Jf
'as said, the happiest New Year in all
'he life. What more could man
elo had been dead three years and b
I'll be expected to say?
So. the bells rang, and the ST
pes was retold with all its changes.
ent Capt. John Robinson had been
ere for dead on the field of Gettysbu
md It was a miracle of the good sam