Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1890-12-25

AS Cne ola Hlan SaC oVeI Ui'e IA z, Ao
was thinking deeply.
When the sweet little housemaid had
done her simple round of duties, and
was brushing back her golden-brown
curls, to make herself tidy, he said to
her:
"Stella, get the little char, and sit
thee down here by me, have something
to tell thee
The child came to his side saying:
"What is the matter grandpa?
"Is there anything at all left from
breakfast. deary:'' asked the old man.
Eyes, grandpa. Some bread and
few slices of cold meat"
Enough for our dinner, if we take a
little Journey, to day."
"Yes, grandpa, l think so. Are we
going on journey"
"Not very long one, dearv. Though
it will take US more than Il day, the
W y we must 60"
"Where are we going, grandpa"
"Into the country Il piece, deary.
There is no work here, and if | can get
there | may find 1t. Anyhow, they
will take care Of Us, imaglpe.'
"They: Who are they, grandpa: |
did not know you had friends in the
country
"Thy little head doesn't know every
thing said the old man with smile.
Eyes, child, l have IA son in the
country. A married SON"
why, grandpa! didn't know we
had any relations = said Stella her
sweet face lighting joyously. "How
nice Why didn't We 60 to the-h before'
And, oh, grandpa ! If he is your son, he
is my uncle, isn't he ?
"Yes-your-your uncle, of course,
said the old man, not daring to tell her
the truth, that the stranger was her
father.
And, oh | wonder if / have any
little cous,ns?' cried Stella. HAS my
uncle got any children, srandpa?
w-I don't know. | haven't seen
him since he was married. said the old
man, to whom this Was becoming
distressing.
"Oh, hope he has I" cried Stella,
cIappins her hands. 1T will be 50 nice
to have litlle cousins
! lie gave her few simple directions
about her preparations, and then bid
ding her get ready as soon as she could,
he went out.
A little money they must have, and
the old grandfather had but one article
on which to raise it.
This was his watch. an old silver one,
of little value. Bat he sold il for a
trihe, and then re urned to the little
cottage where Stella waited for hiM.
Stella preparations were soon made.
1t was only to wrap the bit of lunch III
a paper, and put on her hat and little
shawl.
She was waiting. all ready, when
grandma came back. He had his hat
and overcoat on, he took his stout walk
ing stick from the corner, they went
out, and turned the key in the door OF
the little cottage.
AS they stepped cut, Stella's little
dog, Skip, came bounding up barking
joyously, and springing round his little
mistress.
"Ob, grandpa y said Stella, 1--WE can
leave Skip. There'll be no one to feed
him. Cant Skip 90 too?"
"Yes, let him CO. said her grand
father.
They walked good ways that day,
stopping to eat their lunch at noon
near farmhouse where they rs ked iol
a drink Of water.
The water was cheerfu|ly gwen, and
the good farmers wife spoke kindly tc
Stella, and gave them some line red
apples.
I hope Ben's wife will be the likes
of her." thought the old man, us they
trudged away again, INTO the dreary
winter afternoon.
At night they stopped at waysldt
inn, and Grandp. Devon, from his smal
store of money, paid for a lodging and
breakfast for both of them.
When they departed, next morning
Grandpa Devon inquired carefully about
the way, and received directions which
ne was sure would lead him to the par
of the country where his son lived.
After dinner they went on. But the
old man, as well as the child, was grow
ing very weary with two days steady
walking.
And soon the snow began to fall
softly, silently, but heavily.