The Globe-republican., 1891-12-24

he deposited his burden on the spacious
hearth, where huge fire was already
blazing, and begin to pile on the long,
dry sticks of beech and hickory until in
a few moments a perfect sheet, of hame
was reoringup the wide-throated chin
Grandma Botsworth, who sat in her
accustomed corner by the .iamb." busy
with her knitting, made no reply, while
Uncle Billy. 'T0ceeded to.remOve his coat,
hat and boots, and. having filled and
lighted his pipe, sat down to enjoy him
self. Outside furious SHOW storm was
raging. and already the earth was
heavily carpeted with white Presently
his two sons, Jacob and Milton. came in
from dong up the chores, and like their
father, We're soon Invested of caps, coats
and boots, and seated before the rousing
fire talking over the events of the day
A little later Mrs. Botsworth joined
them, and then the family circle was
complete. No. not complete, either: a
daughter was missing. Three years ago
this Christmas eve she had gone out from
the parental roof to marry the man she
loved, but whom her father had forbid
den some time before to enter his doors.
But Mary had gone: and she and her
a.
West to build up for themselves home
and fortune After they were married,
day or two before they were to start
for Dakota, Mary and her husband drove
to the old home, where she got out of
the buggy and started to 60 into the
house to say goOd-by. She did not ask
nor expect forgiveness from her father
for what she had done: but she knew her
mother and her brothers still loved her,
and would gladly have her come to see
them. So she Just had her hand on the
latch. and. with tear filed eyes, was
taking in the dear and familiar sur
roundings. VIXEN her father, coming
round the corner of the house, saw her.
Don't yer come in here" he yelled,
hoarsely. "Don't step your foot inside
o that gate, Mary Ellen Botsworth
You're no darter q mine. Take yer
Ratchet faced paint-slinger an git"
For moment she stood as il stunned
at his words: then, without word,
turned and went to the buggy Her
husband helped her in, and then, stand
ing up and shaking his whip at Uncle
Billy. said: "Bill Botsworth. If you
wasn't my wife's father. I'd thrash you
till you couldn't walk for a week. You
OBJ .ect to me for a son-in-law only be-
can buy an sell you S IL you was b ack,
darn you"
Here Mary laid her hand on his arm
and said, stop. Will; it won't help
things any to quarrel: let's CO."
1t was well that Will needed her ad.
vice. for old Uncle Billy had started for
the buggy with murder in his eye; and
there is no telling what might have
happened had not Milton and Jacob at
this iuncture made their appearance
and urged him to be quiet.
So Mary went from home an outcast;
and. as the buggy disappeared around
the bend in the road, Milton turned to
his father. and, with tears in his eyes,
said, reproachfully:
Pap, you oughtenter have done it."
And Mrs Botsworth. who had come |
to the door just in time to take in the |
affair, echoed her sons words:
mo, pap, you was too hasty," she !
added. MARY Ellen was allus mighty |
good girl; an, though I'd ruther she'd |
not married Will Kenney, yet hope
the Lord will prosper them BOTH
you are right mother" said Jacob, |
the elder of her sons you are right |
mother. 'Filsey' 1.-THE nickname the |
boys had bestowed upon Mary when she |
was toddler) was the best girl in Indi-
any; kind an lovin', an q sister worth |
the havin'.s
As for Uncle Billy. seeing his whole
family up in arms against him, he vouch-