Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-12-28
to do good. help the poor and afflicted, and

to do good, help the poor and afflicted, and
was beloved BY all.
Christmas drew near; again the roaring
torrent of Lsehine was in the embrace of
King Frost; agsin was Mount Royals
green summit capped with snow. Canadi-
ans go half way to meet King Winter, and
greet him with SO much mirth aad cordial
isy that he forgets to be surly and bois-
trous, and gives them many bright days in
which to enjoy outdoor sportN bright
days that make ice and snow objects of
silyery beauty; "a sheen of diamCnds and
CLEAN of pearls on every tree"
The native Canadian enjoys his winter
as much as a sociesS belle her summer.
and his blanket suit and tasseled tuque are
objects dear to him as decoIette balf-dress
or an Easter bonnet is to,her.
Katherine heard nothing in regard tefhe
widow except that she had changehthe
safe Investment of her fathers money, and
had bought largely in stocks. Then had
disappeared from Montreaissociety.
The day before Christmas Katherine was
sleighiag. Her Russian sleigh. richly
robed in black costly furs, linec with blae,
silver bells. and nodding blue plumes. on
the handsome white horses. The horses
sped down the race track on the st. Law
renee, down past Victoria bridge. Many
elegant teams were out. She had told her
coschmao to return, as she was due that
afternoon at charity club meeting. They
had left the smooth track and were taking.
a short aut up Lafayette place, passing on
the way block of most wretched squalid
tenement houses.
Going up this alley was tall thin
woman, with poor ragged black dress,
and an old shawl drawn tightly around
her. Following her was little boy, Sob
bling biaterly with cold and hunger.
Katherine turned when she saw them.
Something familiar in the walk. Good
haavensf it was her. Yes; her fathers
widow. The blood rushed to her face as
the sleigh flew past; the snow from the
skirts, and Katherine felt for moment
that revenge was sweet. Then came better
thoughts. Here was chance for forgive
ness-the season for 1.-THE blessed
Christmas tide. A season TO bear forgive
ness and glad tidings of peace on earth to-
all men,"
She ordered the coachnaan to drive.
home, forgetting her engagement in the
struggle, the war in her mind, her heart
Why should she do anything for this.
cruel woman who had Influenced her father
to forget his own daughter. aud had even
told her that her father had never sent for
her"
She entered the library. EVERYTHING
there just as she had left it, and on his desk
a turned down sheet of paper. She lifted
it, on the other side was written the begin
ming of letter, "My Dear Daughter"
The tears came to her eyes; he had thought
OF her then, and she thought
"Yet heaviest task would seem but light,
nor long the weariest ways;
II but my soul coald win at last,
The guerdon Of your praise, dear heart
After long toiling days"
She thought of how much love he.
father had given this woman, and now if
he were here and knew her dire need he
would want Katherine to help her, and for
give her, as she might be hoped to be for
given when life was finished
She had decided. The struggle was over
and Katherine was even thoughtful
enough to spare the poor outcasts pride,
and told her servants she partly expected
her fathers widow to be with her Christ
mas.
Then calling cab on runners she drove
to Armstrong d Boyds and purchased an
outfit for the poor creature, not forgetting a
travelling cloak and cap of fur. She did
not forget the little Armand's needs. Then
| to restaurant and purchased hot oyster.
stew and crackers. and sped away to the
| old rookery where the poor woman lived.
| A child crying guided her to the door.
Her gentle tap brought Mrs. La Tour, gaunt
| and haggard with hunger and her struggle
with poverty. She staggered back when
| she saw Katherine.
| YOU you" she gasped.
| YES" said Katherine, taking the thin
hand in hers; land l want you to come
home with ME for Christmas; l am SC
lonely, and | want Armand, too. Come
dear, to me-" she said, turning to the boy
who sprang into her sheltering arms with
glad cry. Il am go glad. You will take
me away, sister, won't your"
The woman sat down by the table. and
was crying too.
You would never forgive me if Won
knew all, she sobbed. You would never
| ask me to go with you if you knew how
badly treated you-talked of you. But j
am punished. Yes, and it is more than
can bear, for my boy, my Armand-inno
cent one-suffefs. too"
katherine's eyes were moist with pity
But she thought it better to take practi
cal tone, and end the trying scene. She
brought up the black travelling dress anC
the cloak and put them on Mrs La Tour
first giving the hungry little fellow some o
the warm broth. When they were ready
to leave Katherine paid the landlady th,
rent of the miserable room, and with he
two charges drove home.
The rooms were ready to receive tn
supposed travellers, Mrs La Tours prid
enabling her to enact the role and her bag
gard appearance accounted for by pre-
tense of ill health. Katherine, with grea
delicacy of feeling, left them to themselves
Although happy, little Armand did no
want to leave her side, so afraid was be o
returning to the old wretched life, but O,
Katherine assuring him that he was nov
her own little brother and would stay Their
always, he was content.
The bells OF Christmas eve were chiminl
merrily. Katherine YVES at her church put
ting finishing touches to some decoration
when Paul came Unexpectedly. He found
only Mrs. La Tour. With grateful tears sh
gave him history of the years he was alb
sent, her own wrong doing, and Rather
mes sweet forgiveness for the past, whel
she had influenced Katherine's father I,
leave all his money to her on the pretens
that she would share it with her: he TO,
weak and i'll to do aught but obey he
cruel will.
Paul listened in establishment with ;
growing, added love for the fair unselisl
girl who had blessed him with her love.
When the clock chimed nine Katherine
step was heard, and Mrs. LaTour left th,
iool, huoWins the lovers would rathe
meet alone after their long separation
She came in, happy, blooming, ioyou
creature, to find her lover waiting witt
open arms. Her faith, her patience, he
unselfishness rewarded. So we will leay,
them for
| Tho the glad glory of the year be past
Love fingers TO the last;
lis nursed with thoughts that come with
| Christmas tide.
That gracious time, when love and peace
are crowned,
When the worlds woes in one great JOY are
! drowned
The summer of the soul is Christmas time.
| Norwegian Matches.
| The Norwegian manufacturers of matches
are very jealous of the secrets of producing
| their articles, and it is with the utmost re.
luctance that they can be prevailed upon 10
disclose any of the details, especially to
i A =