Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-12-24
A CHRISTMAS CARD.

1t is at once painful and perplexing
to be answered with heavy sigh where
one expects an exclamation of pleasure
and admiration; so it was not wonderful
that Mrs. Austin, under the exact con-
ditions, looked into her husbands face.
She was holding up for his inspection u
large wax doll one of the treasures for
Madge, the blue-eye darling of four
years, who was counting the days until
Santa Claus should come Every stitch of
Miss Dollie's elaborate costume was the
work of Mrs. Austin's busy fingers in
hours when Madge was dreaming of full
stockings and Christmas trees, and the
last stitch set, tie result was displayed
for ''papa's' approval.
Now papa was quite as devoted par
ent to Madge and two-year-old Harold as
mamma, and took deep interest in all
nursery matters. 1t may be that the
memory of two other curly heads and
baby faces that had frightened the nur-
sery for few brief months and then
been hidden by coffin-lids deepened the
love for the children who came later to
comfort the aching hearts. But it is very
certain that the little Austins were as
much loved and petted as children could
be, and did not dream more hopefully of
Christmas treasures than their parents
did lovingly of supplying them.
so it was with some alarm, too, that
Mrs. Austin put aside her last triumph
of needle-work and threw her arm arounC
her husbands neck.
"W hat is IT, Chorlia9p sba osLad
He drew her into loving embrace be.
fore he said, sadly:
81 met my father again to-day. Mar.
garet, it will kill me to have things &C
on so. He was downright shabby feeble
and broken; looking so old and so sicl
that could not keep the tears out of m,
eyes. Bnt he would not speak to me.
said all | could say in the street, an
tried to follow him home; but he stoppe,
short and said: L do not know you, sir
You will cease to annoy mel And
could not make scene in the street"
There was a choking sound in Charlie.
Austins voice as he ceased speaking
but, being man, he kept back the sob
that would have followed. Mrs. Austin
tears were falling fast.
Hulll.
at is useless to send presents, Charlie
he has sent them back every year"
The story this conversation referred to
was an old one, true love marriage
made in the face of disinhcritance and
paternal displeasure. Mrs. Austin had
been poor girl, employed in the factory
OF Simon Austin, then man of great
wealth and good social position; a man
purse-proud, arrogant and full of his
own Importance. When his only child,
his idolized indulged son and heir, told
him of his love for pretty Margaret Hay,
a factory-girl, living in the factory
boarding house, wearing calico dresses,
and earning mere living, the old man
was maniac in his fury.
lie would not see that the girl was
pleasing in manner, refined in taste. well
educated and sweet-tempered, one TO
brighten any home and make any good
man thoroughly happy. He gave a fierce
command that the matter should end then
and there. Charles Austin, utterly un-
accustomed to be crossed in any fancy
refused obedience, never before exacted
and the conversation ended in u stormy
quarrel and tho young mans expulsion
from home.
But with good fortune that does no.
often follow disobedient sons, Charlie.
was at once taken into the employ anf
favor of his mothers brother, an eccen.
trio old bachelor, who gave the young
couple homo in his own luxurious
house. 1t was new life to the old
gentleman, and he took the keenest in.
terest in all the household affairs as
Margaret managed them, loved and
mourned the older children, and dying
when Madge was but year old, left hi,
entire large estate to his "belove,
nephew, Charles Austin"
And while the sunshine of prosperit,
had no clouds for this wayward son, thl
fathers fortunes had gone all awry
Some commercial panic was the first blow
to Simon Austin, aud an effort TO repail
the loss by speculation only added to the
disaster. lie missed the cool, clear heat
OF the son who had of late years boen hi
actiyePartner, the judgment he had frs
trained and then trusted to guide hi
large business. He was angry, and hi
angry impulses led him into dire blum
dcrs, until he grew SO involved, that ther
was no escape, and he failed for NOR
than his entire fortune.
At once Charles hastencd to him, offei
ing his entire wealth to save him, only t
be met by a proud. fierce refusal to
under any obligation to Il disobedien
child Or his beggar-wifc.
Over and over again, as poverty be
came more and more bitter to the ma
broken and aged did his SOP imploro hil
to allow him to help him, offer him
home, love, care, obedience even, onl
to be thrown back with angry scorn.
A proud man always, Simon Austi
cherished his wrath as the last remnar
of the old arrogance, and would not ben
one inch. He found letters telling hin
anonymous sums of money were in tn
bank in his name, and wrote back refus
ing to claim them. He mistrusted ever
offer of service, as dictated by his sol
and returned te Charles every scrap G