Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1890-05-15
A MOTHERS FACE.

his father, who thus exclaimed, he
had been carrying milk to the rich
people on the aristocratic street OF his
Canadian home every day, now, for al
most year; in summer twice day,ln
winter only in the evening.
There were two big pals to be carried
during th,s Xmas week, and as he was
small boy his father helped him carry
them to the houses and then waited at
the different gates till he came out
again.
This particular night was Sunday, the
22l of December, and as they reached
the first place and Jean started on his
way to the back of the house, the side
door opened, and a lovely young lady
called out to him: Here, my boy,
YOU will have to come IN this way to-
night for our kitchen.mald has gone
out with the back door key and cant
open it,
"All right, marm," he replied, and
hurried around and ran hastily up the
broad steps into the house.
Twas only glimpse the elder Richlee
got of the interior of the mansion, but
1t was enough to show him how beautl.
full everything looked. The light from
within shone on the glistenlng snow
without, and he could see the silver and
glassware on the massive sideboard and
the sight filled his heart with envy.
"Why should some people have all
the Wealth. he growled under his
breath, for Richlee was not prosper
Gus man, and though entirely to blame
himself fer the state of his affairs, he
none the less felt bitterly about them.
"Now they'll have all they want for
Christmas presents. while mot that |
would waste money on the folks at home
if | had it, but ID have some fun with
the boys.'' Then as he waited for his
son, and stamped on the pavement to
keep warm, wicked idea crept into his
mind, and he nodded Significantly at
the house as much as to say, "lll dot,
too
At last Jean came running out, and
soon all the milk was delivered, and
they were on their way home.
90! dad, never, never did see such
silver as the Chaucers have" said
Jean, as they hurried along with their
empty pals. 81 was left in the big
dining-room while the girl was putting
away the milk, and I was wondering
where they put it at night, so as to keep
it safe
"Why, you simpleton, they lock it up
somewhere, Of course"
eyes, they do, for the little boy came
in the room and told me so. 1t all
goes into some panels in the wall at the
side of the room. Amt that funny
place, dad %
AS the man listened his eyes spark
led covetously, and one more learned
in the ways of the world than his son,
would have guessed he was planning no
good.
x X
Twas Christmas eve. jeans mother
and sister had gone out to spend the
few cents they had managed to save in
remembrance for the morrow. Jean
was lying on his cot, tired from a long
days work, aud his father was in the
next room talking to man whose voice
Jean did not recognize.
"O!' Rlchlee was saying, "we can do
it easy enough. Christmas night every
one'll be tired and sleep sound there 5
more truck there than we will know
what to do with.'
you'd better look after your young
ster,' the strange voice replied.
80. he's asleep. Still I'll just look
to be sure"
Jean could not imagine what they
were talking about, but he determined
to find out, and so lay quite still as if
sound asleep. His father, after leaning
over the bed for minute, seemed sat
isfed that his son was in the land Of
nod, and rejoined his friend, saying:
Eyes, those Chauciers are too stuck
up and airy for any use, and Pm going
to relieve them Of some OF their valuable
possessions or I'll know the reason why,
and YOU'RE the fellow to help me.
Gall right" replied the fellow, "but
two such notable characters as you and
me can't be seen together tomorrow
or our little scheme may be baked.
'Tain't so awful nice to be as popular as
we are, after all, is it?'' he continued
with grim laugh. $50 I'll get the
masks and put yours IN the box Of ours
under old Jones' fence, and I'll tell Jack
our plans and meet you at the right