The Globe-republican., 1891-12-24


From that time on he had never
spoken his daughters name. And a.
though he knew that mother and the
boys got occasional letters from her, yet
he never by sign or inquiry showed that
he ever thought of her, or had the
slightest interest in knowing whether
she was dead or alive.
But on the Christmas eve that have
introduced him to your notice. he sat by
the fire thinking: and his thoughts were
of her. He had long ago admitted to
himself that he was too hasty when he
drove his only daughter away from his
home; but he still remained silent. At
each family reunion, always held on
Christmas day, he had missed her. And
as the coming one was to be held at his
house, and his brothers and sisters,
with their families. would be there, he,
with some bitterness of feeling, was
brooding over the fact that, through no
fault of his, he reasoned. the pleasures
Of the day would be marred. Every
body missed Mary; the children Of his
nephews and nieces would ask for her
and talk about her, despite the admoni-
tions they had received to the con-
trary. AS he was busy with his thoughts.
gazing the while modify into the fire,
and now and then punching up the fore
sticks in spiteful sort OF way, Grand
ma B0tsworth suddenly spoke up and
said:
"TOmorrer'll be another white Christ
mas. This makes two on 'em right hand
runnin'. Three years ago was q mighty
mild winter, and We had green Christ
mas that year"
Here the old lady paused and heaved
q sigh. No one said anything and she
continued: 81 recolleck now there was
more buryin's that year in the Bald Hill
buryin' groun' than there has been since
all put together"
"Yes," assented Mrs. Botsworth, re-
flectively, "a green Christmas alters
makes a fat graveyard, they say, an
never knowed it to fail.
II reckon it'll be good sleighin' to-
morrer," observed Uncle Billy, IAN all
the folks'll come over in the bObS Eli!
what's that?"
The exclamation with which he con-
cluded his remark: was caused by the
furious bark of old "Maje." the watch
dog, the sound of voices in the front
yard, and what seemed to be the cry of a
child in fear
The two boys started for the front
door, while the remainder Of the family
sat intently listening and wondering who
could be their visitors. They had not
long to wait; for minute latter the
sitting room door was flung open and
Jacob strobe in, bearing in his arms
bright and lusty 2-year-old boy. Almost
snatching the wraps from about it, and
holding the little fellow up, he shouted:
"Fap, look at your grandson; Filsey's
come, an this is her boy"
1.-The devN it is" rOared Uncle Billy,
springing to his feet, with face as
black as a thunderclOud. Take him
away: don't want ter see him."
"Hold on a minute" shouted q clear,
strong voice in the doorway. 1t was the
son-in-law who had spoken, and who
stepped into the room, his figure erect
and eyes blazing with anger. "HOld on
minute, say" he continued; Il want
word, Bill Bo.sworth, can buy and
sell you. l am a rich man. but you
don't have to own me fer sOn-in-law
on that account AS for me, l can get
along without you. But Mary here
wanted to come back and see her mother
and all of you once more, and said She
should: and, more than that, / said you
should 'freat-her and baby right or I'd
make YOU: and. by thunder. III, do it,.
Understand. me, ask no favors .fer.my-.
self; but for this poor girl, here, that,
still :loves~-you, but who wants. to come
home only for a little Willie. I Will. speak
for, and fight for, ~too..if necessary"
Even while he was talking, mother and
were weeping in each others
embrace, ant" Grandma. BotswoEth.
rising with: difficulty from: her seat, laid
her hand on her sons shoulder -"Will-
iam," she said, "now's. as good time to
give in as yell ever have. If Mary an
Will can afford to- forgive you, don't
see how you can help forgiven them
Come now. son, do right
For an instant he stood struggling
with his passion. then love conquered.
his hand to his son-in-law. he
said: BILLY, / knock under; I've made
a mistake an am sorry for it. Daughter,
come here"
With glad cry Mary put her arms
around his neck and kissed him again
and again.
There. there, child" the old fellow
murmured, in a voice husky with emo
ton. "it's all forgot now, an"
But he did not finish the sentence.
And. while Mary was kissing grandma
and all were silently crying for JOY, he