The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1890-12-20
IT WAS CHRISTMAS MORN.

Grandpa knew that the very last stick of
wood had gone to make that fire, and the
weather was bitter cold, with heavy white
snow covering all the ground.
Then as she washed up the few dishes and
put them away in the cupboard, like the tidy
little housekeeper she was, she said -
Grandpa the meal is all out, and so is the
meat
"And so is The money, my darling" said the
man with smile, half sad, half merry.
He sat moment silent in his chair by the
fireside, and then added =
"And it is Christmas week, darling, and no
know Of"
Couldn't do something, grandpa?' asked
Stella with wistful look.
you? No, darling, not to do any good,"'
said the old man, with sigh this time, and
something like tear in his eye.
"Then what shall we do, grandpa?" asked
the child.
II don't know. Pll think" said the grand
father, and then sat silent by the fire again.
Stella returned to her duties
Young as she was for over year little Stel-
la had been grandpa's housekeeper. She did
not remember her own mother, nor where she
was born, but she knew that her mother was
dead and that Grandpa and Grandma Devon
had brought her up.
There was story which Stella had never
heard the brave old couple hint at, which she
did not know, but which was often in their
thoughts.
Stella's father was not dead. He was Grand
pa Devons Oldest son (the second son died in
youth, and there had been only the two), but
he had been bad, wild and rough from his
earliest days.
Theirgentle, kindly influence seemed to have
no effect on. his hard heart, and he only went
from bad to worse.
At last, when Stella was born, weary and
heart-broken, the young wife died, and there
was no longer any restraint upon Ben Devon's
rude career.
He left his home, and his poor old father,
utterly hopeless of ever seeing him do any
better, bade him not return, but leave his child,
and they would care for and bring it up the
best they could.
In his heart Ben Devon cared little for the
child, calling it troublesome kid" so it
cost him no pang to leave it.
But Grandpa Devon knew that Rem was in
a manner prosperous, that he had quit
drinking, and made some money.
And now grandpa himself was growing very
old. He felt that his health and strength were
failing rapidly and that very soon he would be
unable to work at all. Then. who would take
care of little Stella?
This question was troubling the old man
night and day, and he was making up his
mind to do something which for himself he
would never have done.
1t must be done soon, at any rate, food and
fuel both were failing with no prospect OF
work.
AS the old man sat over the fire, he 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 chair, 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.
"Yes, grandpa. Some bread and few slices
of cold meats.'
Enough for our dinner, if we take little
journey, to-day.
"Yes, grandpa, 1 think SO. Are we going on
journeyw
''Not a very long one, deary. Though it
will take lis more than day, the way we
must CO."
"Where are we going grandpa?'
Unto the country a piece, deary. There IS
no work here, and if can get there, ! may
find it. Anyhow, they will take care OF us,
imagine"
'0They? Who are they, grandpa? 1 did
not know you had friends in the country"
"Thy little head doesn't know everything"
said the old man with smile. "Yes, child, |
SON."
"Why, grandpa! I didn't know we had
anv refations!'' said Stella, her sweet face
lighting joyously. "How nice! Why didn't
we go to them before And, oh, grandpa
Ifhe is your son, he is my unc,e, isn't he 2"
"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
cousins?" cried Stella. "Has my uncle got
any children, grandpa|
I'll don't know. haven't seen him since
he was married" said the old man, to whom
"oh, I hope he hasp' cried Stella clapping
her hands. ''It will be so nice to have little
cousins"
He gave her few simple directions about
her preparations, and then. bidding 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. But he sold it for a trifle, and
then returned to the little cottage where Stella
waited for him.
Stella's preparations were soon made. 1t
was only to wrap the bit of lunch in paper
and put on her hat and little shawl.
She was waiting, all ready, when grandpa
came back. He had his hat and overcoat on,
he took his stout walking stick from the cor
ner, they went out, and turned the key in the
door of the little cottage.
AS they stepped out, Stella's little dog, Skip.
came bounding up, barking joyously. and
springing round his little mistress.
"Oh, grandpa p said Stella, 1--WE can't leave
Skip Therell be no one to feed him. Can't
Skip go too?'
Eyes, let him 60" said her grandfather.
They walked good ways that day, stopping
to eat their lunch at noon near farmhouse
where they asked for drink of water
The water was cheerfully given, and the good
farmers wife spoke kindly to Stella and gave
them some fine red apples.
81 hope Ben's wife will be the likes of her."
thought the old man, as they trudged away
again, into the dreary winter afternoon.
At night they stopped at a wayside inn, and
Grandpa Devon, from his small store of money,
paid for lodging and breakfast for both of
them.
When they departed, next morning, Grand
pa Devon inquired carefully about the way,
and received directions which he was sure
would lead him to the part of the country where
his son lived.
After dinner they went on. But the old
man, as well as the child, was growing very
weary with two days steady walking.
And soon the snow began to fall, softly, 81
lently but heavily.
"Grandpa," said Stella, trying to repress
weary sigh, 'is it much further to my uncle's2"
II don't know, my child" said the old man.
1--WE are coming to a farm house, and we'll
stop and ask"
They raped at the door, and when the
| woman of the house came the old man trem-
ulously asked her if Ben Devon lived in those
parts,
She said, yes he did. She gave them direc-
| tions how to find his cottage and asked ifthey
| were going to visit Ben Devon.
! Eyes, ma am. He is my son" said the old
man. "Thank you for your kidness."