Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-12-25
FllSEY.
A CHRISTMAS SKETCH.

Mas ShhlCh.
Il reckon this is goin' ter be er bus
ter" said old Uncle Billy Botsworth,
as he came into the family sitting
loom Of the old farmhouse with a
great load OF wood on his shoulders.
With crash he deposited his burden
on the spacious hearth, where huge
fire was already blazing, and began TO
pile on the long. dry sticks OF beech
and hickory until in a few moments
perfect sheet of flame was roaring up
the wide-throated chimney.
Grandma Botsworth, who -at in her
accustomed corner by the 'jamb,"
busy with her knitting, made no re-
ply, while Uncle Billy proceeded to
remove his coat, hat and boots. and
having filed and lighted his pipe, sat
down to enjoy himself Outside fu-
rious snow was raging, and already
the earth was heavily carpeted with
white Presently his two sons, Jacob
and Milton, came in from doing up
the chores, and, like their father, were
soon divested of caps, coats and boots,
and seated before the rousing fire,
talking over TIE 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 Th"cr ,ars
ago this Christmas Eve she had gone
out from the parental roof to marry
the man she loved. but whom her
father had forbidden some time be-
fore TO enter his doors. But Mary had
gone; and she and her husband, a
poor mechanic, went out 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 go in
TO the house TO say goodbye. She
did not ask nor expect forgiveness
from her father for what she had
done but she knew her mother and
brothers still loved her, and would
gladly have her come to see them.
So she inst had her hand on the gate
latch, and, with tear-filled eyes. was
taking in the dear and familiar sur
roundings, when her father, coming
round the corner OF the house saw
her.
Don't yer come in here he yelled,
hoarsely. Don't you step your foot
inside O. that gate, Mary Ellen Bots
worth. You're no darter o. mine.
Take yer hatchet-faced paint singer
an git"
For moment she stood as ifstunned
ar his words then, without word,
turned and went to the buggy. Her
husband helped her in, aud then,
standing up and shaking his whip at
Uncle Silly, said bill Botsworth. IL
YOU wasn't my wife's father, | would
thrash you till YOU couldn't walk for
a week You object 10 me for SON
in-law Only because | am poor but |
will see the day can buy and sell
yon il you was black, darn you"
Here Mary laid her hand on hishrm
aud said stop, Will; it won't help
things any to quarrel; let's 20"
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 juncture made their ap-
pearance and urged him to be quiet
So Mary went from home an out
cast and, as the buggy disappeared
around the bend in the road, Milton
turned TO his father, and, with tears
in his eyes, said. reproaehfully:
Pap, you ougbtenter have done il. f."
And Mrs. Botsworth, who had come
to the door just in time to take in the
affair. echoed her sons words.
No, pap, You was too hasty," she
added. Mary Ellen was alIus
mighty good girl; an, though I'd